Blowing Smoke: The Officially Unofficial Mad Men Podcast

As we fade out from season one and prepare to step into season two, the team here at Blowing Smoke takes a quick detour to the cinema with the Sterling Cooper Film Club—our new series where we conclude each season with a double feature of films that reflect what the most recent slate of Mad Men episodes offered us, both textually and subtextually. To kick things off, we celebrate the life and lega...

Season one is in the books, and we’re closing it out in style with The Scout’s Honors—our end-of-season recap episode! In this special installment of Blowing Smoke, we look back on the highs, lows, and existential crises of Mad Men’s debut season. We hand out our honorary awards for the season’s biggest pitches, lingering questions, and those unforgettable moments when the Sterling Cooper facade t...

It all comes down to this. In our commentary and discussion of Mad Men's season one finale, we unpack The Wheel—a haunting, heartfelt conclusion that solidifies the show’s reputation as one of television’s all-time greats. As Don Draper pitches the Kodak Carousel, he delivers one of the most iconic moments in TV history, privately spiraling in ways even nostalgia can’t fix. We explore the emotiona...

Election night looms large in Mad Men’s penultimate episode of season one, Nixon vs. Kennedy. As the nation watches two candidates battle it out for the White House, Sterling Cooper descends into its own kind of chaos—complete with office antics, broken boundaries, and the long-awaited unraveling of Don Draper’s identity. Secrets spill, loyalties are tested, and history (both personal and politica...

The heat is rising—both on screen and in the studio—as Blowing Smoke returns with our breakdown of Mad Men’s eleventh episode of season one, Indian Summer. It’s been a minute, but we’re glad to be back. This episode finds tempers flaring and pulses quickening at Sterling Cooper, with Roger out of commission, Peggy stepping up in unexpected ways, and everyone around the office getting just a little...

With Labor Day approaching, Roger Sterling is looking for a good time, but the weekend’s indulgences quickly take an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Joan steps into the spotlight and is forced to acknowledge that maybe real- and televisual- life is a bit more complicated than the movies. We explore the episode’s themes of escapism, power, and consequence, all while handing out awards for the most memo...

Grab a glass of Coke and stay awhile as we break down Mad Men’s ninth episode of season one, Shoot. Betty Draper finds herself at a crossroads when an unexpected modeling opportunity forces her to confront long-buried ambitions and the constraints of suburban life. Similarly, Don faces pressures of his own as Jim Hobart and McCann Erickson attempt to lure him away from Sterling Cooper. But is the...

Tie up your bundle, ride the rails, and join us as we break down Mad Men’s eighth episode of season one, The Hobo Code. Don Draper’s past comes into sharper focus as a childhood memory sheds new light on his present-day (circa 1960) persona, while Peggy experiences an unexpected breakthrough at the office. We dive into the show’s depictions of African Americans and Bohemian/alternative cultures al...

As we reach the midway point of Mad Men's debut season, we scale the seemingly endless staircase of embarrassment with the seventh episode of season one, Red in the Face. Roger Sterling’s dinner antics lead to unexpected fallout, while Don Draper engineers a bit of revenge that’s equal parts calculated and cringeworthy. As a special bonus, we reflect on the life, career, and legacy of David Lynch,...

In 2025’s first installment of Blowing Smoke, we dive into Mad Men’s sixth episode of season one, Babylon. The Sterling Cooper team is tasked with pitching to Israel’s tourism board, sparking a fascinating exploration of identity, belonging, and reinvention. Meanwhile, Don’s complicated personal life takes center stage as he wrestles with his feelings for Rachel Menken, while Peggy discovers poten...

In this installment of Blowing Smoke, we tackle Mad Men’s fifth episode of season one, 5G. Don Draper’s carefully crafted life begins to crack as a figure from his mysterious past reappears, threatening the foundation of his new identity. Meanwhile, Pete Campbell finds himself grappling with jealousy and ambition as Ken Cosgrove’s unexpected literary success stirs up rivalries within the office. A...

Welcome back to yet another edition of Blowing Smoke! In this installment, we’re diving into Mad Men’s fourth episode of season one, New Amsterdam. Pete Campbell is juggling the chaos of newlywed life and his first big campaign pitch—spoiler alert: it’s a bumpy ride. Meanwhile, Betty finds herself playing confidante to a neighbor in need, navigating the tricky complexities of suburban life. We bre...

In the latest installment of Blowing Smoke, we delve into Mad Men’s third episode of the first season, Marriage of Figaro: Don Draper’s enigmatic past begins to surface amidst a backdrop of suburban parties and workplace relationships. From Don’s disconnection at Sally’s birthday celebration to Peggy’s growing curiosity about her role in the office, join us as we explore how the episode blends the...

In this new installment, we delve into Mad Men’s second episode of the first season, Ladies Room, where personal and professional tensions simmer beneath the surface at Sterling Cooper. From Betty Draper’s mysterious struggles to Peggy Olson’s evolving role in the office, we explore how the show deepens its character dynamics and themes. Along the way, we unpack the cultural undercurrents of 1960s...

In our commentary for the pilot episode of Mad Men, we’re introduced to the dazzling yet cutthroat world of the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. Join us as we meet Don Draper and the rest of the iconic cast for the first time, unpack the themes and aesthetics that set the tone for the series, and dive into the creative chaos of 1960s advertising. Plus, we debut our recurring awards segment, hig...

In the premiere episode of Blowing Smoke: The Officially Unofficial Mad Men Podcast, we introduce you to the show’s format and discuss what you can expect from this deep dive into one of television's most iconic series. Hear about how we were first introduced to the show, what drew us to its world of sharp suits, sharper dialogue, and the haze of 1960s advertising culture, and how the show's theme...