There’ve been a lot of fun evenings provided by the various networks thus far on this press tour, but my personal favorite has probably been the one by American Movie Classics. It took place at the famous Friars’ Club, in Beverly Hills, and, in keeping with the theme of AMC’s new series, “Mad Men,” the waitresses wore short black dresses and bouffant wigs, offering up Old Fashioneds for the attendees. (I myself had several, and it may well now be my new drink of choice.) I didn’t really get to explore the club a great deal – the upstairs level was cordoned off after a short while in order to make a haven for the “Mad Men” cast – but I did pop up briefly and see the famous pool table on a bed of sand, so the members can smoke without incident, as well as several walls worth of photos of members. (In particular, I saw George Burns’s photo, which made me grin.)
I ended up speaking with “Mad Men” cast member Vincent Kartheiser for a few minutes – you probably best remember him as Angel’s son, Conor, on “Angel” – as he gnawed on a cigar and mused about things were better back in the ’60s for “guys like us.” I think he was kidding…but, then again, he seemed vaguely tipsy as, moments later, he spotted the absence of a drink in my hand and literally demanded that I remedy the situation. “Drink up! It’s free, right?”
True, that.
I also had a chance to speak with Charles Collier, AMC’s Executive VP and General Manager, and I had only one question for him: “How does a network called American Movie Classics reconcile itself with airing a film like ‘Catwoman’?”
Thankfully, Mr. Collier took it in the good-humored spirit in which it was intended, clapping me on the shoulder and saying, “I’ve got an on-the-record answer for you and an off-the-record answer for you.” Well, of course, I’m not getting myself in hot water by providing you with the off-the-record answer – although, to be fair, it was highly innocuous as off-the-record answers go – but as to the on-the-record one, basically, he said it helps the network fill out programming for things like, say, a Halle Berry week or a Sharon Stone week.
“Or,” I helpfully suggested, “an all-kitsch week?”
“Absolutely,” he said, with a grin.
The evening’s entertainment, by the way, was provided by Jeff Goldbum, who performed piano within a jazz quintet. There’s something markedly surreal about seeing the lanky Goldblum bouncing away at the keys as he bops his way through covers of TV themes like “77 Sunset Strip” and “Bonanza,” but they sure sounded good.
Naturally, a few people said something to the effect of, “Well, now that ‘Raines’ has been cancelled, at least he’s got the music to fall back on.” Well, that’s true. On the whole, though, I’d rather have “Raines” back. That show absolutely didn’t get a fair shake. I know it’s because people couldn’t figure out what was different between it and a show like, say, “Ghost Whisperer,” but, still, there was so much more to it that should’ve been explored. I’m still pissed it got buried as a mid-season replacement rather than be given a fall berth.
Oh, well. Too late now. Goodnight, everybody!
