Mad Men, which premiered in 2007, is hailed as the defining show of the Golden Age of Television, outshining even the acclaimed Breaking Bad in terms of storytelling and influence. Created by Matthew Weiner, the AMC series centered around Don Draper, a mercurial ad executive in 1960s New York, and completely flipped the script on what a period drama series could be.

Mad Men: The Show That Redefined Television

Mad Men not only put AMC on the map as the first original drama series for the basic cable channel but also proved that HBO wasn’t the only one capable of making movie-quality, character-driven prestige TV. It was the first ad-supported cable show to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, a feat that changed the landscape of television forever.

Before Mad Men, being labeled as ‘slow’ was a death knell for a show, implying it was boring. However, Mad Men demonstrated that slow-burn, character-first storytelling could be more compelling than fast-paced plot twists. The show’s seventh season, which aired in 2015, was its final season and marked the culmination of its narrative arc, ending with Don Draper’s departure from the agency in 1970.

Mad Men’s Impact on Period Drama and Social Commentary

Mad Men used its period setting not just as a backdrop but as a vehicle for social commentary. Unlike other period dramas that focused on aesthetics and nostalgia, Mad Men scrutinized the American Dream and its flaws. The show’s timeline spanned from 1960 to 1970, covering major historical events and deaths, but these were used as vehicles for character development rather than the main plot.

For example, the season 3 episode, ‘The Grown-Ups,’ centered on the JFK assassination but focused more on the wedding of Roger’s daughter and the characters’ reactions to the event. This approach highlighted the personal and societal changes occurring during the 1960s.

Mad Men’s influence can be seen in the rise of other period dramas, such as Pan Am and The Playboy Club, which tried to capitalize on the 1960s setting and themes. However, these shows relied on aesthetics and gimmicks rather than fully developed characters, unlike Mad Men, which was successful because of its focus on Don Draper and the complex world he inhabited.

The Decline of the Golden Age of Television

The Golden Age of Television, often referred to as ‘Peak TV,’ began in the early 2000s with the rise of high-quality cable and streaming content. Mad Men arrived during the first half of this era and played a significant role in elevating the quality of basic cable television. However, the era began to wane in 2023 as streaming platforms became oversaturated with shows and platforms.

Streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu initially succeeded in competing with HBO and AMC, offering quality shows like House of Cards, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Handmaid’s Tale. However, the focus has shifted from creating quality content to subscriber growth, leading to a decline in budget and innovation.

The rise of AI and its controversies have further complicated the landscape. For another Golden Age of Television to occur, a radical shift needs to happen, either in the way we consume the medium or through a TV show that changes the game, like Mad Men did in the early 2000s.

While Breaking Bad is often hailed as one of the best TV shows of all time, Mad Men’s influence on television storytelling and its role in defining the Golden Age of Television cannot be overstated. It set the stage for a new era of television, proving that character-driven, slow-burn storytelling could be just as compelling as fast-paced, plot-heavy narratives.