It’s A “Mad Men” World - And We’re All Just Living In It - Herbie J Pilato

According to a recent report from Reuters of Rome Oscarwinning director Bernardo Bertolucci during a tribute in his honor by the American Academy claimed disappointment with the Hollywood feature film world that once inspired him Instead he prefers to watch television shows like Mad Men explaining that such programming offers superior casting and direction above and beyond moviehouse productionsBertolucci who guided classic cinema gems like Last Tango in Paris The Last Emperor and Novecento said his quotgeneration had an affair with American culture there39s no doubt about it A street lamp and a fire hydrant made me sing in the rainamp8230But the American films I like now do not come from Hollywood studios but from television series like Mad Menamp8221 among othersBertolucci may have chosen the 1960sbased Mad Men as one of the best TV has to offer because this particular show presents itself like classic shows of daysgonebyamp8230 and not only with regard to premise setting and style The show may be presented as a nostalgic period piece of a bygone era which by the way was inspired by the workworld of classic TV advertising man Darrin Stephens on Bewitched but there is nothing organically revolutionary about its core content and presentationamp160Darrin Stephens on quotBewitchedquot here played by Dick York later played by Dick Sargent was the television world39s first quotmad manquotAs such itamp8217s somewhat amusing that Bertolucci and others of his stature find Mad Men so enthralling and mediamindaltering when in reality and ultimately its production is not innovative at all In fact the show is rather mundane and simplistic Weamp8217ve seen this style before executed countless times amp8211 by any number of classic television programs and feature filmsWith its lengthy still camera shots on its actors such as the hammy Jon Hamm and minus the manic pacing and swift dialogue exchanged that was so overtlyignited by Gilmore Girls in the early 2000s Mad Men displays a tranquil elegance and sophistication that harkens back yes to a more fashionable era but itamp8217s receiving way too many accolades for allegedly paving the way for geniusamp160 The innovative style of classic TV39s top attorney as portrayed by the iconic Raymond Burr was evident from the getgo as in this still from the show39s opening credits That path has already been gaited certainly on the small screen by the likes of Perry Mason Peter Gunn and yes even Father Knows Best which contrary to popular belief was one of the most realistic family shows of its time Each of these properties and hundreds more were produced in the traditional manner of filming a television show or feature film for that matter There were no spastic camera anglesamp8230no handheld camerasamp8230no constant chronic musical score to hide a lessthanworthy script Music was utilized almost as a character and for certain emotional effect but not in every frame like so many TVmovies in particular todayActual stories and characters were allowed to develop as opposed to being thrown at the audience seemingly and shamelessly begging for their attention Unfortunately such strategies are employed by contemporary programmingpowers in hopes of preventing viewers from changing the channel or exiting the theatreBut no such gimmicks are required by the likes or dislikes of todayamp8217s Mad Men or were deemed necessary by the roads and byways of yesterdayamp8217s Route 66In each of these cases whether in first run airing syndicated reruns or on DVD viewers are invited into the small and big pictures with grace and sophistication the audience feels that a measure of respect is placed upon them by the given showamp8217s producers and writers And the reward for that regard is a following of loyal fans with highratings or if for theatrical release solid box officeWhat else could any television or film writer want for his or her creationHerbie J Pilato is an actor writer producer and singer who has worked for Syfy AampampE TLC Bravo The Discovery Channel Universal Warner Bros and Sony As the author of a number of acclaimed classic TV tiein books such as The Bionic BookLife Story The Book of Life Goes On The Bewitched Book Bewitched Forever The Kung Fu Book of Caine The Kung Fu Book of Wisdom and NBC ampamp ME My Life As A Page In A Book Herbie J is the Founder and Executive Director for The Classic TV Preservation Society a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap between positive TV shows and education the Creative Director for Erie Street Entertainment a TV production company that is geared toward scififantasy and familyoriented material and the President of PopCulture Consultants an entertainment consulting firm Herbie J makes frequent television appearances on shows like the TV Guide Channel39s 100 Moments That Changed TV and Entertainment Tonight He39s performed on daytime soaps such as General Hospital and The Bold and The Beautiful as well as on classic TV shows like The Golden Girls and Highway to Heaven Herbie J39s newest books include Twitch Upon A Star The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery which was published by Taylor Trade in November 2012 and The Essential Elizabeth Montgomery A Guide To Her Magical Performances which Taylor Trade will release in October 2013 For more information log on to httpwwwherbiejpilatocomRead all Herbie J39s MediaBizBloggers commentaries at Herbie J39s Classic TV CornerCheck us out on Facebook at MediaBizBloggerscomFollow our Twitter updates MediaBizBloggerThe opinions and points of view expressed in this commentary are exclusively the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaBizBloggerscom management or associated bloggers MediaBizBloggers is an open thought leadership platform and readers may share their comments and opinions in response to all commentaries

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It’s A “Mad Men” World - And We’re All Just Living In It - Herbie J Pilato

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