Common Sense Media Review
By Sierra Filucci
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Liquor, smoking, sex, and stereotypes in 1960s-set drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mad Men
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say that the show is a brilliant portrayal of 1960s America, emphasizing its complex themes and character development, which are best appreciated by more mature viewers. While many think it contains content that may not be suitable for younger audiences, some argue it can be watched by teens if parents are willing to discuss its themes and occasional mature content.
- mature themes
- intelligent writing
- complex characters
- suitable for teens
- parental guidance
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
MAD MEN highlights the anxious corporate culture of advertising agencies that illuminates a larger cultural picture. Leading the show is Don Draper (Jon Hamm), a top ad exec who must constantly fight off his ambitious younger competition. He plays a confident and talented businessman who struggles with hidden insecurities and conflicting relationships. Around Draper are the eager whippersnappers nipping at his heels who carry their fraternity mentalities into the workplace. He takes a mentor role with the rare woman to graduate from the typing pool at his ad firm, Peggy (Elisabeth Moss). Meanwhile, in his suburban family life, he plays the role of "good husband and father," only sometimes convincingly. How long can he keep his juggling act going?
Is It Any Good?
This seven-season show is a fascinating and complex peek into another era that can reveal a lot about contemporary society. The women in the Mad Men workplace are subject to near constant sexual harassment, from both men and women, illustrating the nebulous era between the 1950s housewife and the late-'60s feminist. But though the men are the focus in the series, the women prove fascinating and complex in their own right. There's the smart, sexually confident Midge (Rosemary DeWitt), whose self-sustaining work makes her unusual in a swarm of women looking for husbands to whisk them away to the suburbs. And Peggy finds herself pressured to be sexually available to men in the workplace while dealing with her own sexual curiosity.
And throughout the personal and professional relationships depicted on-screen is the underlying theme of truth, lies, and what can be bought and sold with them both. Due to the near constant sexism (not to mention racism and antisemitism), younger viewers without the ability to see beneath the action to the critique should avoid the program. Also, constant smoking, drinking, and discussion of sex permeates the narrative.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the world depicted in Mad Men. How accurately do you think it portrays 1960s New York?
Talk about how advertising affects your daily life. Are there any brands you feel loyal to? How do you think they created your loyalty? Do you have any favorite ads or ad campaigns? Do you notice any differences between the type of advertising depicted in the show and the kind you see today?
Do you think Mad Men portrays women well or poorly? Are they empowered or victimized, or both? If you were to change the show, how would you depict female characters?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 19, 2007
- Cast : Elisabeth Moss , Jon Hamm , Vincent Kartheiser
- Networks : AMC , HBO Max
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : March 13, 2026
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