Salon.com > matt weiner

Kartheiser: “I’ve never been recognized”

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Vincent Kartheiser, who plays the smarmy Pete Campbell on "Mad Men," was in quite a mood a few Saturdays ago. As he told Vulture, "I wasn’t in a good mood this morning. I was so depressed. Because it’s fucking Saturday and I’ve worked every day this week," and there he was working again, talking to journalist after journalist about the new season of "Mad Men," which begins tonight. Katheiser's displeasure was apparent when I got on the phone with him: I was greeted by the least energetic, most monotone "Hello" I've ever heard.

But Kartheiser warmed up a bit from there as he spoke about the new season, Pete's happiness and his hairline — just don't get him started about the Emmys.

Do you feel like Pete could ever just be happy?

Well, I think he’s had the revelation of having a malcontent personality disorder, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he can change it. I don’t know if he can ever be content. I don’t think that’s really in his genetic makeup, and I think that’s what he realized last year. Just realizing it isn’t going to push him toward happiness. I don’t think that’s the natural progression of things. I think he has a lot of revelations, but very few actual changes.

Matt Weiner: “The end seems very near”

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Good news: "Mad Men" will be back soon. The series' sixth season, its penultimate, will premiere in a little less than three months, with a two-hour episode on Sunday, April 7. With the premiere date in hand, series creator Matt Weiner got on the phone with us to talk about the new season — or rather, since Weiner detests spoilers, to talk around the new season. He spoke with us about his favorite images from last season, budgeting for the Beatles, those Hawaii spoilers, and writing the show with the end in sight.

It starts so soon. That’s exciting!

I’m glad you feel that way. We’re getting ready to go. I’m writing Episode 8, and we’ve got a two-hour premiere. We’re very psyched to be in Season 6, I’m not going to lie. It’s an incredible concept that we’re still in this and still at it, and that it’s anticipated at all is very exciting for us.

I know you’re extremely loath to talk specifics, but last year you talked about how one of the big themes of the season was “when is everything going to get back to normal.” Are there any themes for this season you would be willing to discuss?

Matt Weiner: “Mad Men” is about today

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:00:00 +0000

The last new episode of "Mad Men" aired on Oct. 17, 2010. Next Sunday -- a year and and five months later -- we'll finally get another glimpse of Don Draper, Peggy Olson, the other employees of Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce and all their chic outfits, when "Mad Men" begins its long-awaited fifth season.

Matt Weiner, the show's creator, spoke with us about the new season, or, more accurately, spoke with us on the occasion of the new season. Weiner, as you'll see, is a strict constructionist when it comes to spoilers, and in addition to specifically requesting that the press reveal nothing to the audience — not the year in which the new season is set or basic plot developments — he makes sure to answer questions with as few hints as possible. But, even avoiding major plot revelations, Weiner had a lot to say about this year's big themes, all those TV shows aping "Mad Men's" style, the recent controversy about the "Mad Men" ad campaign, and when, if ever, American society is going to get back to normal.

I found it very touching to see these characters again after so long. Did you find that you had missed them?