Tony Gruenwald on Season 5 of Mad Men

My good pal Tony and I had a good email exchange about this season of Mad Men. I was getting worried that with all the strong flavors they were flirting with the shark. Tony thinks otherwise:

In the last ten years or so, good dramas are not considered good dramas unless they have an overreaching season long story arc. So now when we sit down to watch our favorite show, we are essentially reading a chapter of a novel. This is the intention of the showrunners, networks, and everyone involved with tv dramas nowadays. Failed novelists who know some actor buddies and a guy with a camera.

I say fuck that.

I’m getting sick of it.

This fifth season of Mad Men seems to be saying, fuck the novel, here’s some short stories. Good old fashioned episodic television with the same characters every week.

Because of that, because I don’t have to remember every single plot point and have to wonder how this is all going to tie in at the end, I’m really enjoying this season. Yeah there are some dumb things.

But this is not the show we started watching four seasons ago. It’s reflected in the show too. Things are changing. And I dig it.

If you don’t know who Tony is, head over here for more. Tony always has a refreshing opinion.

|  22 May 2012




Meet Dr. Rick I finally had the opportunity to meet the...



Meet Dr. Rick

I finally had the opportunity to meet the inimitable Dr. Rick today at the NIST-ONC conference on EHR usability. Unlike the rest of us whiny doctors and nurses, Dr. Weinhaus tries to move the conversation forward by writing thoughtful, substantive suggestions on how to improve the usability of existing EHRs. See his most recent posts here, here, and here.

|  22 May 2012




Dan Benjamin Responds to 5by5 Fans About The Talk Show

Dan Benjamin Responds to 5by5 Fans About The Talk Show:

Heartfelt, genuine, and open: classic Dan Benjamin.

|  21 May 2012




Big week? Huge week!



Big week? Huge week!

|  17 Apr 2012




If only Tom Servo had had the chance to riff The Hunger Games.



If only Tom Servo had had the chance to riff The Hunger Games.

|  14 Apr 2012