LOS ANGELES: American TV drama series Mad Men, which began in 2007, has been one of the top most-followed programmes. The sixth season finale of the Emmy-winning drama Mad Men was watched by 2.7 million viewers, matching last season’s record high, as the AMC period-advertising series wrapped up a season of change for lead actor of the show Don Draper.
US cable channel AMC said on Monday that the finale to the 13-episode season was the network’s highest rated, citing a 5% growth in its share of television viewers this year.
While the overall viewership was stable, there was a drop in viewers within ages 25 to 54 demographic coveted by advertisers, with 1.3 million viewers, down from 2012’s 1.4 million viewers.
Enigmatic advertising executive Draper, played by Jon Hamm, faced his biggest challenges this season as he grappled with late ‘60s cultural changes, as well as drifting apart from his wife as he engaged in a steamy affair with a married neighbour.
In the finale, Draper finds himself unraveling at the seams as he tries to counter his excessive drinking, a suspension from his firm by his partners and efforts to come to terms with his own identity.
The episode ends with Draper taking his three children to the brothel where he grew up.
Draper’s character is partially based on Draper Daniels, the creative head of Leo Burnett advertising agency in Chicago. During the ‘50s, he had created the Marlboro Man campaign which was a super hit. The other side of Draper’s character is based on Rosser Reeves, who became the chairman of the Ted Bates agency. He was known for his advertising techniques and professional accomplishments.
As the series unfolds, it is gradually revealed that Don Draper is an assumed identity. The character’s name is actually Dick, short for Richard Whitman. Dick was born in Illinois, to a young prostitute, who died while giving birth to him. The baby was then handed over to his biological father Archie, short for Archibald Whitman, who is married to an evangelist woman named Abigail. Later in the show, Dick remembers the abuse and violence he had to face with his father and stepmother. Eventually, Dick’s father dies from an accident, leaving behind another son (Dick’s half brother) and Abigail, who end up living at a brothel with Abigail’s family.
Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner said in recent interviews that season seven, scheduled to air in 2014, will be the final one of the series.
The drama is a strong player during Hollywood’s awards season, often taking top television honors for its cast and creators at both the Emmys and Golden Globes.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2013.
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