Logo

Cool News

Herc’s Giving Away Two Copies Of MAD MEN’s Second Season!!

Published at:  Jul 15, 2009 9:28:32 PM CDT



I am – Hercules!!




The contest:

In the BODY TEXT (not the subject line) of your talkback entry below, type the date you think “Mad Men’s” third, fourth, or fifth season should start.

In the SUBJECT LINE (above the date you input), explain why you chose that date.

So they should look something like these:

SUBJECT LINE: The day the Beatles arrived at Kennedy Airport
BODY TEXT: Feb. 7, 1964.

SUBJECT LINE: The day President Kennedy was assassinated
BODY TEXT: Nov. 22, 1963.

(I've also shown how in the actual talkback.)

If you want to elaborate on your choice, you’re welcome to do so in the body text after the date (though I make no guarantee I will read your elaboration, so try to keep it short).

Remember that season one launched in 1960 and season two in 1962, if that helps guide you.

The two best ideas, as I judge them, win the second-season “Mad Men” DVD, on sale now for $24.49 if you don't want to wait around for me to pick a winner. (“Mad Men” is, in my view, the best series in production.)

You’re welcome to enter as many times as you like. Entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. PT, Wednesday, July 22.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you have access to the email address to which your talkback account is linked. If you no longer have access to that email account, or don’t remember which email account is linked to your talkback account, simply create a new talkback account linked to an email address to which you have access.


Follow Herc on Twitter!








Season Eight: Volume Five!!



Hrm.



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:09:13 PM CDT

    The day the Beatles arrived at Kennedy Airport

    by hercules

    Feb. 7, 1964.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:09:49 PM CDT

    The day President Kennedy was assassinated

    by hercules

    Nov. 22, 1963.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:15:38 PM CDT

    March On Washington/I Have A Dream Speech

    by mrbananagrabber

    August 28, 1963

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:17:35 PM CDT

    Season 4 - America lands man on the Moon and Neil Armstrong beco

    by knight_rider00

    On July 21st 1969 America lands man on the Moon and Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the Moon.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:18:29 PM CDT

    The Tet Offensive

    by sgtsharki

    January 30, 1968

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:19:33 PM CDT

    Malcolm X/MLK Press Conference

    by mrbananagrabber

    March 26, 1964

    Robert McNamara also gives address saying South Vietnam will receive military and economic aid.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:19:58 PM CDT

    The Jets beat the Colts in Superbowl III

    by sgtsharki

    January 12, 1969

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:20:29 PM CDT

    The day Jack ruby assasinates Lee Harvey Oswald

    by jefflebowski

    Nov 24th 1963. A little less obvious than the JFK shooting but timely enough to still open the season with a "camelot is crumbling" vibe.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:20:35 PM CDT

    Season 5 - MLK's Assasination

    by high fidelity

    April 4, 1968

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:22:26 PM CDT

    The Civil Rights Act of 1964

    by papawapa

    July 2nd, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:23:04 PM CDT

    Kent State shootings

    by nibbles

    May 4, 1970

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:23:42 PM CDT

    Petula Clark and Harry Belafonte on NBC

    by sgtsharki

    April 8, 1968.

    Clark innocently touched Belfonte's arm during a song. This prompts concern from the show's sponsor (Chrysler Corporation) due to the difference in their races. In the end the scene is aired intact at Clark's insistence. The special airs to high ratings and marks the first time two different races share friendly bodily contact on American television.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:24:02 PM CDT

    First Public Burning of Draft Cards

    by high fidelity

    May 5, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:25:24 PM CDT

    New York/Northeast Blackout

    by papawapa

    November 9th, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:27:26 PM CDT

    Watts Riots of 1965

    by tomdpimp2k

    August 11 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:28:15 PM CDT

    The premiere of Easy Rider

    by nibbles

    July 14, 1969

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:29:45 PM CDT

    Gulf of Tonkin Incident

    by tomdpimp2k

    August 2 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:29:59 PM CDT

    Woodstock

    by papawapa

    August 15th, 2969

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:30:45 PM CDT

    George C. Wallace becomes governor of Alabama

    by wally_west

    January 14, 1963

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:31:35 PM CDT

    Cigarette ads banned on TV

    by sgtsharki

    April 1, 1970, President Nixon signs the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act into law, banning cigarette advertisements on TV. The law takes effect January 2, 1971.

    The series started with cigarettes, why not continue the trend?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:32:13 PM CDT

    Super Bowl I Packers defeat the Cheifs

    by tomdpimp2k

    Jan 15 1967

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:34:17 PM CDT

    First time US Surgeon General Admits Smoking is Dangerous

    by gleemonex

    January 11, 1964 (The SG in question was Luther Leonidas Terry)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:36:09 PM CDT

    New York World

    by tomdpimp2k

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:36:29 PM CDT

    New York World's Fair opens

    by tomdpimp2k

    April 22, 1964,

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:40:51 PM CDT

    Muhammed Ali beats Sonny Liston

    by wally_west

    February 25, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:43:47 PM CDT

    US Release of Fellini's 8 1/2

    by vorpal6

    June 25, 1963

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:46:00 PM CDT

    The first Ford Mustang rolls off the assembly line

    by gleemonex

    March 9, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:47:21 PM CDT

    Astrodome opens in Houston

    by tomdpimp2k

    April 9 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • January 2, 1963

    It's after the Christmas break, and features the cartoon rendition of the Arthur legend, and the full-scale beginning of the British invasion.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:49:12 PM CDT

    did seasons 1 and 2 start on significant dates?

    by punto

    I remember something about a plane crash on season 2, was that the day it started?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:49:53 PM CDT

    NYC public school boycott over segregation

    by the garbage man

    February 3, 1964.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:50:13 PM CDT

    Malcom X Assassinated in Manhattan

    by coffeeandpie

    February 21 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:50:32 PM CDT

    The Death of Frank O'Hara (Meditations in an Emergency)

    by maxkerkerian

    July 25, 1966. Nice callback to the beginning/end of Season 2.

    Reply to Talkback

  • January 2, 1964 It's after the Christmas break, and features the cartoon rendition of the Arthur legend, and the full-scale beginning of the British invasion.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:52:14 PM CDT

    The construction of the World Trade Center is announced

    by muthmedia

    January 18, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:53:17 PM CDT

    FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE opens in US

    by tomdpimp2k

    April 8 1964

    perfect since the Mad Men all act, dress and drink like Bond.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:54:41 PM CDT

    Surgeon general says "smoking is hazardous to your health"

    by pete275

    January 10, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:54:48 PM CDT

    Dylan releases "The Times They Are a-Changing"

    by bondurant

    January 13, 1964 - it falls early in '64 which will probably be the year, and it's all thematical and stuff!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:54:59 PM CDT

    Plans to Build the World Trade Center Are Announced

    by coffeeandpie

    January 18 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:55:28 PM CDT

    Murder of Kitty Genovese/genesis of Rorschach

    by the garbage man

    March 13, 1964. (I want to see Rorschach in Mad Men, hot dammit!)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:57:32 PM CDT

    Warren Commission is released

    by tomdpimp2k

    September 24 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:57:34 PM CDT

    I know it was introduced in 1960, but has

    by skimn

    the inroduction of the birth conrol pill been addressed by the series? Putting pregnancy in the control of women helped shape feminism in the '60s.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:59:12 PM CDT

    sorry muthmedia

    by coffeeandpie

    you beat me to it!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 5:59:21 PM CDT

    JEOPARDY debuts on Television

    by muthmedia

    March 30, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • April 4, 1968

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:00:26 PM CDT

    NP, coffeeandpie, Oh my! :P

    by muthmedia

  • January 3, 1964 (Kind of goes along with my previous entry)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:03:37 PM CDT

    1972 Republican National Convention

    by the_genteel_gentile

    August 23, 1972 (Vietnam Veterans Against the War force their way into the convention hall during Richard Nixon's acceptance speech at the 1972 RNC in Miami. Attendee Don Draper spits upon Ron Kovic.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:04:13 PM CDT

    Tens of thousands of Vietnam War protesters picket the White Hou

    by coffeeandpie

    November 27 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:10:08 PM CDT

    The publication of "The Feminine Mystique"

    by queen liffey

    19 February 1963

    The relations and tensions between men and women have always been an integral part of Mad Men and I would like to see Joan, Betty and Peggy's reactions to the feminist movement, now taking solid form.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:10:11 PM CDT

    Harry Knowles dies of Cardiac Arrest

    by jackmansclaws

    August 7, 2009

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:12:25 PM CDT

    A Bunch of Talkbackers Copy and Paste things from Wikipedia

    by gleemonex

    July 15-22, 2009

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:13:31 PM CDT

    race riots in Watts

    by filmfanatic1

    August 11, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:14:45 PM CDT

    Warren Commission publicized

    by ripleygrady

    September 27, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:16:44 PM CDT

    First manned Gemini flight, Virgil I. Grissom, John W. Young

    by filmfanatic1

    March 23, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:17:30 PM CDT

    The day Apollo 11 astronauts came back

    by eternal watcher

    July 24th, 1969

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:18:13 PM CDT

    That's my season 5 start, that is

    by eternal watcher

    7/24/1969

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:18:38 PM CDT

    1964, unknown, Marshall McLuhan publishes

    by skimn

    Understanding Media: The Extensions Of Man. The book is the source of the well-known phrase "The medium is the message".

    Reply to Talkback

  • July 27, 1965

    Congress requires tobacco companies to label cigarette packs with the clear warning - "Caution: Cigarette Smoking May Be Hazardous to Your Health."

    Cough...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:50:27 PM CDT

    Judgement Day!!!

    by wheel99

    August 29, 1997

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:51:34 PM CDT

    Above post.

    by wheel99

    Season 5 of course.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 6:59:09 PM CDT

    The night Star Trek premiered

    by grenadier

    Sept 8, 1966.

    One character will be a fan, some will try to figure out how to exploit the show, etc. Plays well against the space race, which I'm sure will be part of the show by then too.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:00:54 PM CDT

    The Mets Win the World Series at the Premiere of MM's Final Seas

    by coffeeandpie

    October 16 1969

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:19:38 PM CDT

    The Manson Murders (Season 5)

    by smorales2412

    August 8-10 1969

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:22:32 PM CDT

    Che Guevara visits New York

    by smorales2412

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:22:34 PM CDT

    Che Guevara visits New York

    by smorales2412

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:23:05 PM CDT

    Che Guevara visits New York (Season 3)

    by smorales2412

    December 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:24:59 PM CDT

    Again I must say...

    by oldnewbie

    Who cut the balls off this site?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:27:22 PM CDT

    Stonewall Riots

    by bass ackwards

    June 28, 1969 (Season 5)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:29:20 PM CDT

    Mr.Rogers Neighborhood Premieres (Season 4)

    by smorales2412

    February 19, 1968

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:30:08 PM CDT

    Gulf og Tonkin Resolution Passed (also my birthday, no joke)

    by crow3711

    August 7, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:31:28 PM CDT

    ^ S4

    by crow3711

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:31:36 PM CDT

    MLKs March on Washington (Season 3)

    by smorales2412

    August 28, 1963

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:34:46 PM CDT

    Robert Kennedy is assasinated(season 4)

    by smorales2412

    June 5, 1968

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:35:16 PM CDT

    The Battle of the Sexes tennis match

    by thewolfman8

    September 20, 1973. One of the most watched sporting events. The office is reeks of chauvinism, yet Peggy is an upcoming, independent women. I want to see how the media attention impacts the atmosphere in the office and the subsequent ad campaigns launched.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:36:30 PM CDT

    Sesame Street Premieres (Season 5)

    by smorales2412

    November 10, 1969

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:44:19 PM CDT

    Jaws premiers

    by thewolfman8

    June 25, 1975. The summer blockbuster is born, marketing movies changes forever.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:48:03 PM CDT

    Woodstock

    by thewolfman8

    August 15 to August 18, 1969. Height of the "tune in, drop out" concept, brought about by the likes of Timothy Leary. How do you advertise to the counterculture and more importantly, do you even bother advertising to them?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:48:42 PM CDT

    The end of the world

    by dirkbelig

    December 21, 2012

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:49:59 PM CDT

    Virginia Slims are introduced

    by thewolfman8

    July 22, 1968. Marketed to women. Slogan is "You've come a long way baby." And how have the women come a long way, baby? I want to know!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 7:58:03 PM CDT

    Gilligan's Island Premieres

    by mrnightingale

    September 26, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:01:16 PM CDT

    The Coca-Cola Company debuts its first diet drink, TaB cola.

    by takeiteasymon

    May 1, 1963

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:01:47 PM CDT

    I Spy Premieres

    by mrnightingale

    September 15, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:02:00 PM CDT

    Independence Day 1964

    by julesvega

    July 4th, 1964

    Season 2 started on Valentines Day, would love to see the holiday theme continue

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:02:46 PM CDT

    The publication "The Feminine Mystique"

    by takeiteasymon

    February 19, 1963

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:03:37 PM CDT

    Walt Disney Dies

    by mrnightingale

    December 15, 1966

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:03:53 PM CDT

    Septembe 7, 1964 - Daisy Ad airs

    by hendrix4747

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:03:54 PM CDT

    Dr. No opens in US theaters

    by takeiteasymon

    May 8th, 1963

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:06:34 PM CDT

    GI Joe Released

    by mrnightingale

    February 2, 1964

    Pete, has to manage the campaign, and therefore finds time to connect with his lovechild.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:06:49 PM CDT

    Daisy Ad Airs on TV

    by hendrix4747

    Fucking SeptembeR 7th, 1964. "These are the stakes! To make a world in which all of God's children can live, or to go into the dark. We must either love each other, or we must die."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:07:36 PM CDT

    The Vatican condemns the pill

    by takeiteasymon

    June 25, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:07:46 PM CDT

    1st Super Bowl Broadcast/Stones on Sullivan

    by julesvega

    January 15th, 1967

    Since the Super Bowl is now the mecca of advertising and the Rolling Stones had to change the lyrics of Let's Spend the Night Together that night on Sullivan

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:08:04 PM CDT

    The Tet Offensive

    by mrnightingale

    30 January 1968

    A somber way to start a later season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:10:46 PM CDT

    First Heart Transplant

    by mrnightingale

    December 3, 1967

    ... gives Mr. Sterling hope for redemption.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:16:22 PM CDT

    Goldfinger is released in the US

    by nutritiouslove

    December 22, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:22:58 PM CDT

    Democratic National Convention, 1968

    by voteroslin08

    August 28, 1968
    The final season opens with the cast watching coverage of the riots outside the 68' Democratic National Convention, setting up a series finale focusing on Nixon's election (which dovetails with season one's focus on his loss to Kennedy).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:30:41 PM CDT

    Apollo 1 Astronauts Killed During Training

    by nutritiouslove

    Gus Grissom, Edward White, Roger Chaffee- January 27, 1967

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:39:23 PM CDT

    Plans to Build the World Trade Center are Announced

    by sloppythirds

    January 18, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:47:52 PM CDT

    Ali - Frazier I

    by larebear

    March 8, 1971.

    Fight of the Century. Political subtext. Ali loses.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:53:35 PM CDT

    Rosemary's Baby premieres.

    by larebear

    June 12, 1968.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:54:40 PM CDT

    Dr. Strangelove premieres.

    by larebear

    January 29, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 8:59:14 PM CDT

    Lyndon Johnson announces he will not seek re-election.

    by larebear

    March 31, 1968

    Reply to Talkback

  • ...therefore making time travel possible.

    August 4, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:07:31 PM CDT

    Don falls, Hits head on sink, comes up with Flux Capacitor

    by studioki

    ...therefore making time travel possible. August 4, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:07:31 PM CDT

    Don falls, Hits head on sink, comes up with Flux Capacitor

    by studioki

    ...therefore making time travel possible. August 4, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • March 14, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Early 1963 (couldn't find an exact date)

    According to several sources, the campaign was considered one of the most significant demographic events in commercial history because it made the post-war baby boom a social and marketplace phenomenon. and it was the first time a product was identified, not so much by its attributes, as by its consumers' lifestyles. Works perfect with the baby on the way in the plot line, and the focus on "youth" that changes everything.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:11:58 PM CDT

    Season 3 - Opening New York Worlds Fair

    by drewscif

    April 22, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:15:16 PM CDT

    Season - 3 Vatican condems female oral contraception

    by drewscif

    June 25, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:23:37 PM CDT

    I Can't Get No Satisfaction" becomes #1 single.

    by johned970

    July 10, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • January 8, 1964

    As those of us who watch the show know, Don Draper grew up in a dirt poor family on the wrong side of the tracks and this has always been his achilles heel in one way or another.

    Having Lyndons speech playing on the tv as Don has flashbacks of the homeless man who visited when he was young as well as flashbacks of his little brother would be a great way for him to come to terms with his past as well as serve as a great centerpiece for the episode.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:31:06 PM CDT

    Season 4: Publication of The Female Eunuch

    by monkey_butler

    October 1970

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:31:47 PM CDT

    Season 5: Roe v Wade decision

    by monkey_butler

    January 22nd 1973

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:32:18 PM CDT

    ... Johnson announces his "War on Poverty."

    by redjester

    Sorry about the two parter...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:36:59 PM CDT

    Richard Nixon is elected

    by wolverine's dad

    November 5th, 1968

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:39:56 PM CDT

    Plans to build the NY WTC are announced.

    by redjester

    January 18, 1964

    Living in New York, this event would clearly spark the imaginations of creatives and non creatives alike. Events such as this (and landing on the moon) are what I feel truly kickstarted the Golden Age of Advertising.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:40:34 PM CDT

    Smith and Carlos raise a black power salute at the Olympics

    by wolverine's dad

    October 16th, 1968

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:40:37 PM CDT

    Season 5: 1968 Democratic Convention

    by bigbadbua

    August 29, 1968.

    Guess I'm not the only one with this thought

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:41:50 PM CDT

    Season 3: One month before JFK dies

    by bigbadbua

    October 22, 1963. Season runs the month leading up to the assassination.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:45:33 PM CDT

    Season 4: US troops arrive in Vietnam

    by bigbadbua

    March 8, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:46:35 PM CDT

    The Russians launch Elektron I and II using a single propulsion

    by quin the eskimo

    January 29 1964 The same day the US Ranger 6 crashes on the moon. Four days later The Beatles are on the top of the charts with "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" Highlights the interesting duality of the era.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:46:58 PM CDT

    The first episode of Star Trek airs

    by wolverine's dad

    September 8th, 1966

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:48:39 PM CDT

    John Lennon says the Beatles are more popular than Jesus

    by wolverine's dad

    March 4th 1966

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:52:43 PM CDT

    3 High School friends in NJ open the first BLIMPIE

    by redjester

    April 4th 1964

    I could see Don not taking this account seriously, forcing the 3 very young founders of BLIMPIE to go with another Ad Agency.

    Don would probably think nothing of it until he and his son are at the grand opening of Shea Stadium later that month where a Blimpie vender comes around to their seats and Dons son asks his dad for one,
    Fade to Black.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 9:57:46 PM CDT

    Thurgood Marshall is nominated for the Supreme Court

    by wolverine's dad

    June 13th, 1967

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 10:03:58 PM CDT

    Disneys Mary Poppins arrives in theatres

    by redjester

    August 27 1964

    This could coincide with a decision by the Drapers to get a full time Nanny/Housekeeper. The episode would consist of the Drapers interviewing possible Housekeepers until one catches Dons eye!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 10:06:33 PM CDT

    Mariner 4 returns first pictures of Mars

    by wolverine's dad

    July 15th, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 10:57:42 PM CDT

    The morning after the Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan Show

    by scorpio678

    Season 3 - February 10, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 11:06:14 PM CDT

    The Feminine Mystique is published

    by herbie_x

    19 February 1963

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 11:10:58 PM CDT

    2 days before the launch of Apollo 11

    by dark_flounder

    July 14, 1969

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 11:17:28 PM CDT

    Break-in at The Watergate

    by dark_flounder

    June 17, 1972

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 11:20:55 PM CDT

    The Graduate is released

    by juror number 8

    December 21, 1967

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 11:27:32 PM CDT

    LBJ's imfamous campaign commercial "Daisy" aired.

    by redjester

    September 7, 1964

    This is the link to it:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf-MEdAPhYA

    If you like Madmen, you all really owe it to yourselves to check it out. Perfect example of what's called a scare-spot.

    The campaign commercial called "Ice Cream" is equally appalling. It is essentially saying Barry Goldwater wants your kids to get radioactive sickness and die. No joke!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 11:32:25 PM CDT

    The Enterprise intercepts Gary Seven's transporter beam.

    by nora inu

    March 29, 1968. Time to make Mad Men the culmination of the never realized show "Assignment: Earth"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2009 11:56:03 PM CDT

    The MAD MEN season 3 poster gives you a hint...

    by nopix

    Don Draper with water up to his knees.....Bob Dylan lyrics: "Come gather 'round people
    Wherever you roam
    And admit that the waters
    Around you have grown"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 12:32:44 AM CDT

    The Final Looney Tune, "Señorella and the Glass Huarache", is re

    by schickouttashape

    August 1, 1964. (For Season 4)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 12:37:21 AM CDT

    Final Looney Tune released, WB Cartoon Division shut down.

    by schickouttashape

    August 1, 1964. (For Season 4)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 1:04:10 AM CDT

    2001: A Space Odyssey Opens in Theaters

    by anobserver

    April 6, 1968

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 1:05:06 AM CDT

    New 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Advertising Appears in Esquire

    by domingo_montoya

    December 18, 1962
    Tag line: "Only a man with a heart of stone could withstand temptation like this"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 2:51:05 AM CDT

    (Season 5 -Final Season!) Richard Nixon Resigns

    by muthmedia

    August 9, 1974

    Since the show started with Nixon starting his presidential run, only fitting that the series end with him, resigning.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 2:54:27 AM CDT

    Richard Hickock and Perry Smith are hung in Kansas

    by bloo

    April 14, 1965for those who don't know or don't remember Richard Hickock and Perry Smith were the IN COLD BLOOD killers

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 6:06:36 AM CDT

    The end of summer

    by himbo

    Friday August 30, 1963. - The Friday before the Labor day weekend. Just after King's march and speech. The last hurrah before all parties come back to NY to settle for a winter of discontent.
    By this time, Betty would have had the baby (or not) and be dealing with an infant. That means no awkward pregnancy acting for January Jones.
    The time sets up a 'back to work' feel after the discord and fugue of last season. All the characters may get back to some normalcy and then get hit in the gut with Kennedy's assasination in November for Act Two of the season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 6:56:08 AM CDT

    It Should Be

    by inactionman

    Back to the Future IV.While attending the New York Auto show in 1964 Don meets Doc Brown who arrives in his Time Traveling DeLorean and brings Don to the twenty-first century. He shows Don that by encouraging and supporting Peggy he has created a monster.

    Peggy is responsible for a shallow world where all the kids are fat, Micheal Bay movies are number one at the box office, Paris Hilton is a celebrity, and a pussy like Shia LaBeouf is considered an action star.

    At the end of the Movie Don meets his future self a senile, drunk pathetic old man with AIDS,herpes,cancer and genital warts. The Beatles "In My Life" plays over the end credits.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 7:55:27 AM CDT

    The Post publishes its last Normal Rockwell cover

    by maniaq

    December 14, 1963
    It is a John F Kennedy Memorial.
    The Saturday Evening Post, having published over 300 of Normal Rockwell's covers, decides to abandon putting paintings on its front covers.
    The magazine's attempt to update its image does not significantly increase circulation or advertising revenue and it eventually ceases publication in Feb 1969.
    Rockwell continues his all-too-successful career elsewhere until his eventual death in 1978 of emphysema, aged 84...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 8:17:33 AM CDT

    Altamont

    by maniaq

    December 6, 1969
    a free concert put on by the Stones to make up for the fact they never made Woodstock - it was the end of the year, it was the end of the sixties, and it was the end of an era...
    a young man by the name of George Lucas was there with camera in hand as part of the crew for a film marking the event, called Gimme Shelter - he's not sure if it's his footage of the infamous murder of one of the audience by a Hell's Angel - he really couldn't care less about these hippies...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 8:45:28 AM CDT

    Sth Vietnam president murdered(JFK looks other way)

    by maniaq

    November 2, 1963
    three weeks before his own date with destiny
    upon hearing the news (of the coup d'état) Ho Chi Minh reportedly says "I can scarcely believe the Americans would be so stupid."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 8:49:22 AM CDT

    Battle of the Sexes - Billie Jean King Defeats Bobby Riggs

    by schrutebuck

    September 20, 1973

    The 55-year-old Riggs, a self-proclaimed "male chauvinist pig," threatened to jump off a California bridge if he lost to the 29-year-old King. A television audience of 48 million tuned in to see what would happen.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 9:05:14 AM CDT

    "Daisy Girl" ad

    by maniaq

    September 7, 1964
    a factor in President Lyndon B. Johnson's landslide defeat of Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election and an important turning point in political and advertising history, it features a little girl picking the petals of a flower, which then segues into a launch countdown and a nuclear explosion - a voiceover urges "We must either love each other, or we must die."
    the ad was immediately pulled
    interestingly, the 2003 BSG reboot paid homage to the ad with a similar scene...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 9:18:52 AM CDT

    Leap Day, Feb. 29th

    by rahulkuk

    I thought about the Daisy ad, Ali beating Liston, the Beatles, etc. But then I think in a lot of ways Mad Men is a more subtle show and would not begin with such a big bang. Instead, it would begin softer, with something that is unusual . . . like a Leap Day. It would be at the start of the year, Johnson's inauguration and the War on Poverty is under way. The Civil Rights movement is loud. Ali beat Liston and the Beatles are in the US. And I think the show will begin quietly, Don on the train, or a secretary arranging her desk, or a conversation on an elevator on the weirdness of Leap Day.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 10:19:30 AM CDT

    First Heart Transplant

    by wildfire1324

    April 23rd, 1968 / Start of season 5

    Surgeons at the Hôpital de la Pitié, Paris, perform Europe's first heart transplant, on Clovis Roblain. With all the smoking they do on the show, at least one of their hearts should be giving out by the end of the sixties.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 11:48:42 AM CDT

    Kennedy Assassination

    by mlong86

    Since the media coverage was so immense and revolutionary for it's time, employees would be watching it all unfold on television at work, as they did the night of the 1960 election at the end of the first season. Everyone alive remembers where they were when they heard Kennedy was shot, and it truly was the end of an era. Mr. Weiner said 1960 was the height of the "50's" and chose to start his series at that point. November 22, 1963 was the end of the "50's". It would be a logical starting point for this new season and a backdrop to the continuing changing times and ideas that were starting to emerge in the second season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 12:08:15 PM CDT

    Lenny Bruce sentenced to 4 mos. in prison on obscenity charges

    by mobilesworking

    December 22, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 12:50:27 PM CDT

    "Live Below Your Means" Volkswagon Bug ad campaign

    by herbie_x

    3 June 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 1:13:04 PM CDT

    Star Wars Opens

    by samseaborn

    May 25, 1977

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 1:15:06 PM CDT

    Munich Olympics Massacre

    by samseaborn

    September 5, 1972

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 1:28:18 PM CDT

    President Johnson revealed to be Insectoid...eats earth.

    by studioki

    July 13, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 2:44:47 PM CDT

    The First Day of the Vietnam War Draft

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    December 1, 1969.

    Since Dick Whitman became Don Draper during the war, it only seems fitting to start the final season with the looming dread of another war on the minds of the entire agency staff as well as Draper himself.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 2:48:01 PM CDT

    Jim Morrison Defies Censors on The Ed Sullivan Show

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    September 17, 1967.

    Would only make sense to have the 4th season open on a day that hugely impacted advertising and issues of censorship in general.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 3:04:01 PM CDT

    Sometime in mid 1964

    by nam0krut

    Ms. Holloway's lucious boobs become "self aware"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 3:08:40 PM CDT

    The 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders occur.

    by djfluff

    September 29 – October 1

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 3:35:02 PM CDT

    Mattel Hot Wheels Introduced

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    September 7, 1968 - It could be the big account the firm lands which could make or break certain characters.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 3:37:57 PM CDT

    The "Heidi" Game

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    November 17, 1968 - Raiders-Jets game cut off at the end to air Heidi. NBC was virtually destroyed by this. NBC itself could become a character, ala 30 Rock.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 3:43:26 PM CDT

    Johnson Defeats Goldwater

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    November 3, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 3:48:07 PM CDT

    First Zip Codes in the US

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    July 1, 1963 - Not a major world changing event, but could lead to a nice subplot about having affairs in different zip codes or the distance between Betty and Don both emotionally and geographically.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 4:11:59 PM CDT

    For anyone that missed the first two seasons of Mad Men

    by series7

    Watch Revolutionary Road, its thes cliff notes version.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 4:14:14 PM CDT

    Series7

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    Matt Weiner, creator of Mad Men, has said Revolutionary Road was a major influence on the show. Personally, I think the show is much better. Good tip, though. I say if you missed Season 1 or 2 go watch Season 1 and 2!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 5:27:03 PM CDT

    30 Rock gets fuckong 22 nominations and Lost gets !?

    by lockesbrokenleg

  • Jul 16, 2009 5:27:57 PM CDT

    StephenHawkingDiarrhea

    by lockesbrokenleg

    Did you know who did the music for Heidi? A young Johnny Williams!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 7:56:56 PM CDT

    ClayListon 1

    by jere512

    Feb. 25, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 11:28:25 PM CDT

    S3 - Rolling Stones release their first album

    by bobsjohnson

    April 16, 1964

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 11:30:14 PM CDT

    S4 - Churchill Dies

    by bobsjohnson

    January 24, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2009 11:32:13 PM CDT

    S5 - Daylight Saving Time begins across North America

    by bobsjohnson

    April 30, 1966 - Also the date that the Church of Satan was created(!)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 17, 2009 10:38:40 AM CDT

    Is He Gonna Announce Winners?

    by crow3711

    Or just send the emails and let us all figure out we didn't win on our own?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 17, 2009 1:14:12 PM CDT

    Jul 17th, 2009 10:38:40 AM

    by killaarmy

    The day Crow3711 announced he's retarded.

    Reply to Talkback

  • September 5, 1965

    Reply to Talkback

  • January 27, 1964. Roger can have a snide comment about a woman president. Shows that 45 years later there still hasn't been a female president.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 18, 2009 12:30:09 AM CDT

    Blowup opens in the US.

    by larebear

    December 18, 1966.

    The major film to be released without approval of the Production Code.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 18, 2009 12:33:08 AM CDT

    The Pawnbroker opens.

    by larebear

    April 20, 1965

    The first film showing bare breasts to be released with Production Code approval.

    Reply to Talkback

  • June 7th, 1967.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 19, 2009 12:17:38 AM CDT

    The Closing of Vatican II

    by gateway

    December 8, 1965

    There's no better way to show some of Mad Men's old institutions are about to radically shift than the final day of the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, the event that changed one of the oldest institutions on the planet, especially one as mired in its traditions as the Catholic Church.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 19, 2009 2:14:02 PM CDT

    Completion of The Verrazano Bridge (S3)

    by crow3711

    November 21, 1964 - Possibly with Don driving across it for the time or something.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 21, 2009 1:38:06 PM CDT

    1960s

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    I am pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that Matt Weiner said the show would remain in the 1960s and not venture to the 1970s.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2009 4:19:06 PM CDT

    July 20, 1969

    by crow3711

    Man walks on a celestial body other than Earth for the first time. To show how far we've come. For season 5, or whatever the final season may be.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2009 4:19:38 PM CDT

    I Suck At This, Seriously

    by crow3711

    I've done every single entry wrong or backwards...haha, don't disqualify me?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2009 9:34:58 PM CDT

    July 4, 1964

    by thewolfman8

    Independence Day. Mad Men is a show about America. The American dream. American history. American values. All of that was changed drastically when JFK was assassinated. The innocence of the country was killed with the President. It's a bittersweet day for the country, as the Mad Men characters celebrate it's history yet look toward an uncertain future. It's subtle, like much of the thematic elements of the show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2009 9:35:40 PM CDT

    Independence Day

    by thewolfman8

    July 4, 1964. Mad Men is a show about America. The American dream. American history. American values. All of that was changed drastically when JFK was assassinated. The innocence of the country was killed with the President. It's a bittersweet day for the country, as the Mad Men characters celebrate it's history yet look toward an uncertain future. It's subtle, like much of the thematic elements of the show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2009 1:41:32 PM CDT

    Last Mercury Mission launch

    by himbo

    May 15, 1963.



    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2009 1:43:36 PM CDT

    In the Year 2525

    by himbo

    January 1, 2525

    "In the year 2525, if man is still alive"
    yes it's foolish, but no more so than some other dates on here. OK, slightly more foolish, but I'm having fun with my entries now. I think my first one was the most accurate.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2009 6:42:00 PM CDT

    So who won Herc?

    by redjester

    Choose the Daisy spot Herc! Come on, it's probably the most controversial ad campaign of that decade!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2009 3:30:17 PM CDT

    I Won (Or Should)

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    Because I didn't just cut and paste mine from frickin Wikipedia like most of the bozos on here. I bet most of them don't even want the DVD. Asses. I want it!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 24, 2009 8:46:31 PM CDT

    I'll admit it,

    by redjester

    I found all of my entries on Wiki with the exception of LBJ's "Daisy" spot. That one was from the extensive research I've done on advertising over the years. Oh yeah, I'm an adman.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 26, 2009 7:22:37 AM CDT

    I'm gonna go out on a limb

    by crow3711

    and say he just emailed the two winners and isnt going to formally announce them or end the contest. Which is stupid. So much for this contest. I just want to know who won.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 26, 2009 5:51:13 PM CDT

    That's Weak

    by julesvega

    Herk, that's very disappointing if you won't announce the winners of this thing. Especially with such an eclectic mix of ideas it would be great to see which one you went with. The way it is left now just seems like you decided to have this contest and then just completely forgot about it and never decided to pick winners.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 27, 2009 9:33:33 AM CDT

    Comic Con

    by stephenhawkingdiarrhea

    Hey guys, don't forget everyone at AICN is tied up with ComicCon. So, this may be a while to get an answer.

    Or, if someone DID win, they should post and let everyone else know.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 27, 2009 6:22:34 PM CDT

    Doesn't really matter to me how long they wait to decide...

    by redjester

    ...as long as they post the winners when they do.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 27, 2009 7:44:18 PM CDT

    I agree

    by julesvega

    I guess I didn't take Comic Con into account as much as I should have. It was a creative idea for a contest and their were some creative responses which is why I would love to see who was selected since there were a lot of good ones to choose from. I'm sure they will post the winners in due time...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 28, 2009 7:43:54 AM CDT

    I got mine from Google

    by maniaq

    yes I would like Herc to make some sort of announcement but not really sure how that should happen, exactly?
    sure there could be an "updated" version of this talkback but... what would be left to say on the talkback, after that? hmmm.....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2009 9:50:06 AM CDT

    Herc emailed me Yesterday...

    by gleemonex

    ...and let me know I was one of the winners. He didn't say which of my entries won but I assume it was the one about the Surgeon General declaring cigarettes dangerous.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2009 4:37:43 PM CDT

    Herc emailed me too.

    by muthmedia

    same deal as Gleemonex. he didn't say which of my entries won, either.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 31, 2009 12:32:34 AM CDT

    Congrats guys

    by redjester

  • Jul 31, 2009 6:05:12 PM CDT

    Congrats

    by julesvega

    Good Choices

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 01, 2009 1:21:35 AM CDT

    Thanks RedJester and JulesVega

    by muthmedia

  • Aug 06, 2009 7:11:17 AM CDT

    thanx 4 letting us know guys

    by maniaq

    didn't expect Herc to make some kind of prominent statement somewhere on the site - no probs with the winning choices...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 06, 2009 1:16:53 PM CDT

    Got mine today...

    by muthmedia

    Package is beautiful - kind of sad that I still don't know which date got me the prize...But, thanks. :)

    Reply to Talkback

User Login

Forgot password? Retrieve it here

or register as new user

Quick Talkback Form

Please login to post talkback