http://www.mediapost.com/en-usMon, 20 May 2013 20:02:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/200727/episode-608-the-crash-shes-my-mother-shes-my.htmlCalled "The Crash," this week's episode reflected a fresh focus for Mad Men: Whores and death and death and whores.Mon, 20 May 2013 20:02:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/200727/episode-608-the-crash-shes-my-mother-shes-my.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/200547/abercrombie-fitch-ceo-comes-out-ahead.htmlHave you noticed that things tend to get more interesting when Kirstie Alley weighs in on a subject and gets bleeped out? "Dude, you're a #(#*#! @@!!!$!," the self-proclaimed "Fat Actress" told "Entertainment Tonight," referring to Michael Jeffries, the CEO of Motherfucker Industries, I mean, Abercrombie & Fitch.Fri, 17 May 2013 11:20:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/200547/abercrombie-fitch-ceo-comes-out-ahead.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/200250/ep-607-the-best-laid-plans-or-little-headaches.htmlBeware the Weiner doctrine: It seems that any unexpected bit of sunshine, energy or pleasure offered one week inevitably brings a downpour of existential gloom and disorientation the next.Mon, 13 May 2013 18:52:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/200250/ep-607-the-best-laid-plans-or-little-headaches.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/200100/mountain-dew-part-deux.htmlLast week, I wrote about a series of gag-inducing videos for Mountain Dew. Created by 22-year-old rapper Tyler the Entertainer, the spots were equal parts racism, misogyny, and WTF?Fri, 10 May 2013 15:21:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/200100/mountain-dew-part-deux.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199778/episode-606-for-immediate-release-heart-transp.html"For Immediate Release" refers to the press release that Peggy bangs out on her IBM Selectric in the final electric seconds of the show. After many weeks of existential numbness, this taut and even thrilling episode exploded with the surprise merger of SCDP and CGC and its new, mutually assured plotlines.Mon, 06 May 2013 19:37:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199778/episode-606-for-immediate-release-heart-transp.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199636/pepsi-fail-when-cmos-go-gangsta.htmlThis week, the third in a series of online videos for Mountain Dew created by a rapper/producer known as Tyler the Creator (see what Cedric started?) was released.Fri, 03 May 2013 18:10:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199636/pepsi-fail-when-cmos-go-gangsta.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199231/episode-605-the-flood-or-family-guy-meets-pl.htmlFor all the complaints of the (eroding?) viewership of "Mad Men" this season, "The Flood" was a rock-solid, satisfying episode. It seems the series has found its footing again, as a national tragedy spurs a flood of emotions, epiphanies, and even a few acid jokes.Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:17:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199231/episode-605-the-flood-or-family-guy-meets-pl.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199025/better-than-death-jaguar-gets-its-due.htmlCall it "anti-branded content." Because for no known reason, the British automotive brand Jaguar has come in for some really brutish jabs on "Mad Men," the hot AMC series dedicated to the fictional world of advertising in the 1960s.Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:46:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/199025/better-than-death-jaguar-gets-its-due.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/198651/episode-604-mary-kay-mary-jane-and-the-electric.htmlYou say tomahto, I say tomato. You say catsup, I say ketchup. Within the out-fo-blood prism of "Mad Men," it all comes down to more whoredom, anyway, and then you die!Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:52:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/198651/episode-604-mary-kay-mary-jane-and-the-electric.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/198543/ship-and-bones-wheres-the-beef.htmlThe scarily witless and embarrassing tagline for the new KFC boneless chicken product is boneheaded. What a strange way to go about announcing the menu change. It's all about promoting what you didn't eat, rather than praising what you did.Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:04:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/198543/ship-and-bones-wheres-the-beef.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/198096/episode-603-the-trudy-pact-or-hell-have-the.htmlCalled "The Collaborators," the third episode of "Mad Men"'s sixth season illustrated the politics of appeasement and double dealings, as seen in love, war, and the corporate sale of beans.Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:02:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/198096/episode-603-the-trudy-pact-or-hell-have-the.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/197989/pestilence-death-sloth-and-other-bewildering.htmlFacebook recently launched "Airplane," its second-ever TV spot, via Best Agency in the World (and that's a fact, son!), from Wieden+Kennedy/Portland -- and it's worse than the first ad. Really.Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:21:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/197989/pestilence-death-sloth-and-other-bewildering.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/197634/episode-601-602-the-doorway-or-death-con-5-a.htmlIn this season's opener, we quickly learn that not much has changed, insofar as our antihero, Don Draper, is the type of guy who goes to heaven (Honolulu, with his bikinied TV star wife) but drags his own hell with him ("Dante's Inferno," a tome which we later learn is a gift from his mistress.)Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:06:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/197634/episode-601-602-the-doorway-or-death-con-5-a.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/196879/mad-mens-jon-hamm-privacy-and-privates.htmlEarlier this week, showrunner Matthew Weiner released a "preview video" in which NOT ONE IMAGE WAS NEW! Every cut was from previous seasons. Oh, Weiner, do you think you can so easily toy with your legion of rabid fans?Thu, 28 Mar 2013 23:35:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/196879/mad-mens-jon-hamm-privacy-and-privates.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/196480/lena-and-the-lean-in-lady.htmlThis Sunday, "Lean In," Sheryl Sandberg's just-published and hotly debated career primer for women, will debut at number one on "The New York Times" Best Sellers list. A week ago, "Girls," Lena Dunham's HBO hotly debated series about women of the millennial generation, wrapped its second season. On the surface, Lena vs. "Lean In" would seem to be a study in contrasts. But they actually have a good deal in common.Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:51:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/196480/lena-and-the-lean-in-lady.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/195868/sandberg-sexism-and-the-c-suite.htmlSheryl Sandberg sure has stirred up a shitstorm: Try to say that fast five times. To begin with, the idea that the goodiest of the super hard-working, ladder-climbing, well-heeled, shiny-haired, corporate good girls of the Fortune 500 would become the outspoken Pope of 21st century feminism is something of a head-spinner.Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:07:00 -0400http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/195868/sandberg-sexism-and-the-c-suite.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/195267/is-martha-stewart-living.htmlIt's Women's History Month, bitches! I kid -- but so far the first week of March seems to have been less a celebration of female progress and more a free-flowing attack on various 50-foot women.Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:45:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/195267/is-martha-stewart-living.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/194560/marissa-sheryl-and-the-human-race.htmlThe response to Sheryl Sandberg and Marissa Mayer's work stances shared historical similarities with the latest war on women.Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:50:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/194560/marissa-sheryl-and-the-human-race.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193975/narci-sisterhood-is-powerful.htmlRight up front, one of the problems with Beyonce's HBO documentary "Life is but a Dream" is that it's called a documentary. Because no matter how compelling a public figure and glam superstar you are, talking close into your MacBook with your-unmade-up (but still flawless) face does not a documentary make.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:53:41 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193975/narci-sisterhood-is-powerful.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193451/the-lunge-that-refreshes.htmlIt was the lunge seen round the world: Senator Marco Rubio got cottonmouth during his live, televised response to President Obama's State of the Union address. So Rubio suddenly lurched left of camera range to gulp a spot of Poland Spring water.Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:06:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193451/the-lunge-that-refreshes.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193027/so-god-made-a-whiner.htmlLast year, Chrysler won the Super Bowl with a powerful, head-turning spot that seemed to sneak up out of nowhere, as opposed to those prelaunched on social media. Created by Wieden & Kennedy, it featured a grizzled Clint Eastwood delivering a half-time pep talk for America, a message that, as it turned out, could have doubled as an ad for Obama's reelection. In advertising, there's always a pendulum swing. My theory for this year is that Chrysler wanted to repeat the surprise, emotion, and beauty of the previous year's Big Game successes, except this time without the messy excess leftyness.Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:37:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193027/so-god-made-a-whiner.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/192468/the-bug-i.html"Barbara Lippert owes an apology to every single non-black Jamaican for implying that they do not exist!" That's a snippet of one of the more polite notes of the hundreds I've received since Monday morning, when I appeared on the "Today Show" to discuss the early release of VW's "Get Happy" Super Bowl commercial.Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:48:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/192468/the-bug-i.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/191933/citizen-coke-and-the-sugar-cane.htmlI was watching Rachel Maddow last night when the new-ish corporate commercial for Coke, called "Coming Together," came on the screen.Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:43:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/191933/citizen-coke-and-the-sugar-cane.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/191348/lance-armstrong-and-his-tour-de-rants.htmlWhat a week for semi-confessionals, bizarre attempts at damage control, and angry stabs at absolution. Actually, I'm not referring to Coca-Cola's decision to address the problem of obesity in these here United States in a new ad campaign that asks us to "come together." In an age requiring authenticity, there are some things mega-global corporations selling sugar water just can't be transparent about.Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:57:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/191348/lance-armstrong-and-his-tour-de-rants.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/190843/the-seinfeld-chronicles.htmlThis week, Sony Pictures Television announced that Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" was renewed for a second season. Wait -- "season" and "renewed?" Them's TV words, alright, although the series -- 10 episodes in the first year, 24 on order for the second -- is strictly an online affair.Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:38:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/190843/the-seinfeld-chronicles.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/190315/blaxsploitgettiwestern-anyone.html"Django" can be a hard pill to swallow. Of course it's offensive to think of slavery as the subject of an exciting new action-entertainment genre for Tarantino to use for fun and profit. But the ironic thing is that, unlike the very respectful and respectable "Lincoln," "Django" has really gotten audiences talking about the onerous subject of slavery.Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:35:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/190315/blaxsploitgettiwestern-anyone.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/190052/ad-turkey-2012s-most-wtf-spot.htmlThere's a stilted, "Twilight Zone"-ish vibe to the opening of this commercial, as if the viewer somehow broke through the time/space continuum to find herself watching TV in Poland.Thu, 27 Dec 2012 16:57:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/190052/ad-turkey-2012s-most-wtf-spot.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/189648/facebook-the-sorrow-and-the-seating.htmlLast week at MadBlog, my "Best Spots of the Year" column ended with a mention of empty chairs. Yup -- I suggested that the year's winningest commercial, Chrysler's "Half-Time in America," inadvertently led Clint Eastwood to commit his unhinged monologue involving an innocent seating unit at the 2012 Republican National Convention. Here in part deux, my nominee for worst spot of the year also comes from powerhouse agency Wieden & Kennedy, and also involves -- wait for it -- empty chairs!Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:59:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/189648/facebook-the-sorrow-and-the-seating.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/189375/years-best-spot-truly-a-spaghetti-western.htmlRecently, my funny, prolific, and prescient MediaPost colleague Bob Garfield, the author of the award-winning book "The Chaos Scenario," publicly declined to do a column listing the best-and-worst commercials of the year. He could not do it, he semi-joked, because he hadn't seen any ads. Rim shot.Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:53:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/189375/years-best-spot-truly-a-spaghetti-western.htmlhttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/188716/samsung-vs-apple-losing-my-religion.htmlI'll admit to feeling a bit sacrilegious as I write this, given that I am still a devoted member of the cult of Cupertino. But fair is fair: I nominate Samsung to be Best Tech Advertiser of 2012 (image division) for "The next best thing is already here," its Galaxy S III campaign.Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:23:00 -0500http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/188716/samsung-vs-apple-losing-my-religion.html