David Milch wrote, produced and created the popular Western American drama series entitled Deadwood. This television show was being broadcast on HBO, a premium cable network from the 21st of March in 2004 until the 27th of August in 2006. The period spanned three seasons that aired 12 episodes each.

Setting, Themes and Plot

The drama series was filmed in Deadwood, a place somewhere in South Dakota. The setting of the show was in the 1870s during the period before and after the annexation of the area to the Dakota Territory. It charts the area’s development from being a small camp to becoming a town. The show also incorporated themes such as formation of communities to the prevalence of western capitalism.

Cast and Crew

In terms of the cast, Deadwood features a huge ensemble of great actors. Historical figures also appeared on the show like Al Swearengen, Seth Bullock, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp, George Crook, E.B. Farnum, Wild Bill Hickok, Sol Star, George Hearst and Charlie Utter. Plot lines that involved these characters have historical authenticity and substantial fictional characteristics as well. The creator used newspapers and actual diaries from the 1870s as references for the events, characters, look and feel of the drama series. Though some of the characters are fictional, most are based from real-life stories.

Awards

Deadwood received critical acclaim from a wide number of critics and experts. Milch’s writing and Ian McShane in particular, garnered praises. The television series bagged eight Emmy Awards out of its 28 nominations and a Golden Globe Award.

Reception and Renewal

Rumors have it that there are plans to end the series with two special television movies but up until now, these plans have not yet materialized. Some of the lead stars in the series claim that Deadwood is unlikely to return.

Due to its extensive use of profanity, Deadwood has drawn attention from the public ever since its debut. Since the creator has a twofold intent, the series has become a deliberate anachronism. According to Milch, the characters were originally intended to use swear words and slang based on the period’s deep religious origin and this tended to be more blasphemous. So instead of being tastelessly crude, the words muttered by the show’s characters sounded comical.

HBO confirmed to the public that the fourth season with the current cast was unlikely but it insisted that the show has not been cancelled. David Milch agreed to make a couple of two-hour TV films in place of the fourth season on June 5, 2006 but on July 12, 2007, HBO executives finally revealed that the telefilms are difficult to finish. On March 17, 2009, Ian McShane reiterated that “Deadwood is dead”.

Aired every Sunday evening on AMC (a cable network in America), Mad Men is production of Lionsgate Television. This dramatic television series is created and produced by the very talented Matthew Weiner. Its pilot episode was aired on the 19th of July in 2007 and its fourth season was completed on October 17, 2010. Every season consists of thirteen episodes. Mad Men’s fifth installation will premier on the 16th of March of this year.

Meet the Cast

The dramas series’ lead characters include Don Draper, who is a creative director and junior partner of the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency which is played by actor Jon Hamm; Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss) is Draper’s secretary cum copywriter; Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), a young and ambitious account executive who attempts to blackmail Draper (Jon Hamm) with information on the latter’s past; Betty Francis (January Jones), plays the role of the former wife of Draper and the mother of their three offsprings Sally, Bobby and Eugene Scott; Joan Harris (Chirstina Hendricks), an office manager and the head of secretarial pool at the Sterling Cooper Company; and Roger Sterling who had an affair with Joan Harris. Sterling became a mentor to Don Draper and he was one of the two senior partners in the company founded by his father. Sterling was played by John Slattery.

Setting and Plot

Mad Men is initially filmed at the Advertising Agency of Sterling Cooper right on Madison Avenue in NYC.  The drama was set to convey the period of the 1960s. The plot of the drama revolves around the focal point of the show, Don Draper, the people in his life and the things that take place in and out of the office. The series depicted changing moods and social conditions in America during the 1960s.

Reception

The television series became well-known not only in the United States but also in some other countries. In fact, it has received accolades and critical acclaim due to its visual style and historical authenticity. The American Film Institute, Creative Arts Emmys, Peabody Award and British Academy Television Awards are just a few of the award-giving bodies that have bestowed recognition to the series. Mad Men also received numerous awards which include four Golden Globes and fifteen Emmys. In addition to its string of recognitions and awards, Mad Men was also the first basic cable television series to bag the highly coveted Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. It won the particular award in its entire first four seasons in 2008, 2009, 2010 and finally, in 2011.