Mad About The Boy

Most TV shows and movies pretend not to notice how goodlooking their stars are. They play regular folks, and no one treats them as outrageously gorgeous.

The Sopranos changed this formula a bit. They hired people who were plain or ugly enough to look real.

Now Mad Men is going in the other direction. Particularly with its star, Jon Hamm, who is undeniably handsome. He sells others, and his handsomeness is part of the package. Furthermore, it's become a plot point this season that people note how handsome he is.

It works. The show is often about what's on the surface, as opposed to what's on the inside, so why deny what's staring us in the face?