Jon Hamm on Smoking Too Many Fake Cigarettes for ‘Mad Men’
Ten years after the conclusion of the iconic AMC drama “Mad Men,” actors Jon Hamm and John Slattery reunited at the ATX TV Festival in Austin to reflect on their experiences working on the show. Moderated by Noah Hawley, who collaborated with Hamm on “Fargo,” the stars shared memories of the show, its lasting impact, and some not-so-fond recollections of the unique challenges they faced.
One of the most notable challenges Hamm and Slattery faced was the excessive smoking required for their characters. Hamm revealed that in the pilot episode alone, he smoked 75 fake cigarettes. While the cigarettes were fake, the smoke was not, leading to a set filled with artificial cigarette smoke. Slattery added that they were not just smoking any regular cigarettes, but rather rose petals and marshmallow. To make matters worse, their “vodka martinis” were actually glasses of water with onions in them, resulting in less than pleasant breath on set.
Despite the difficulties, the actors found humor in the situation, joking about the consequences of smoking real cigarettes on set and the unconventional methods used to replicate cocktails. They also discussed the importance of small bites and strategic food placement when filming eating scenes, a common trick known to actors.
The smoking on “Mad Men” was a crucial aspect of setting the scene for the 1960s advertising world, with Hamm recalling a conversation with AMC executives about the necessity of the characters smoking. The actors emphasized the immersive nature of the show, where stepping onto set felt like entering a time capsule, complete with meticulous attention to detail.
Reflecting on their time on the show, both Hamm and Slattery expressed gratitude for the experience and the lasting impact it had on their lives. Hamm noted how working on “Mad Men” coincided with significant life events, while Slattery described it as a parallel life that felt just as real and demanding as their actual lives.
As they looked back on their time on “Mad Men,” the actors acknowledged the hard work and dedication that went into the show, which has continued to resonate with fans a decade later. Despite the challenges they faced, the opportunity to be a part of such a groundbreaking series was a gift that they cherished and will always remember fondly. scratch about the benefits of meditation:
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