Mad Men

For AMC's Mad Men, the network's wry summer drama about life, love and identity at a mid-century-era Madison Avenue advertising agency, the actors appear smooth-shaven and dress in skinny neckties and cordovan shoes. Their characters drink early and often. The actresses, trussed in tight dresses, wear pointy "bullet bras" and painful screw-on earrings. Their characters care less about careers than making a good catch and moving to Connecticut. On TV Mad Men premieres at 10 tonight on AMC.

The AMC cable drama Mad Men ends its first season tonight as one of the most dramatically dazzling debuts since the freshman year of HBO's The Sopranos in 1999. Talk about worthy successors arriving right on time: This period piece about life in a Madison Avenue advertising agency circa 1960 premiered in July just weeks after HBO's mob drama left the airwaves for good. The similarity in richness, texture and even themes is no accident -- the series is created and written by Emmy winner Matthew Weiner, a writer and producer for The Sopranos.

History was made on several fronts at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards last night. The HBO miniseries John Adams surpassed the 2003 HBO production Angels in America to become the most honored long form program in TV history. Meanwhile, AMC's Mad Men, a stylish series about life on Madison Avenue in the 1960s, became the first basic cable program to win as best drama. And then came writer-actress Tina Fey and the series she created, NBC's 30 Rock, dominating the comedy category like no other sitcom in years as it took home awards for best writing, best actress, best actor and best comedy.

In an uncanny repeat of last year, the same shows and many of the same performers again took top honors at "The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards" Sunday night. "Mad Men" and "30 Rock" won as best drama and comedy, respectively, while Bryan Cranston of "Breaking Bad" and Glenn Close of "Damages" won as best actor and actress in a drama series. Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin of "30 Rock" again took home the Emmy for best comedic actor. What are the odds? But there was one new and big winner on CBS Sunday: the telecast.

Let's get one thing clear from the start: I love "Mad Men," and this stylish series about life on Madison Avenue in the 1960s is by far the best drama on television. It's steeped in authentic period detail while still speaking more eloquently than any other TV drama to America today. But there is historical detail, and then there is historical detail. And when it comes to keepers of the historical flame in Baltimore, this is a city that loves its past and can be downright picky about it. "Mad Men" opens Season 3 tonight at 10 on AMC with a business trip to Baltimore.

It might not have been a star turn, but Baltimore had a strong supporting role at Sunday's Emmy Awards telecast. Baltimore Friends School graduate Bucky Gunts won the prestigious award for best direction in a variety, comedy or music special for his work on the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics on NBC. Each of the nominees was featured in a short video answering the question of what they wanted to be when they were growing up. ...

There is never a shortage of compelling rags-to-riches stories in the audience of a major Hollywood awards show. Under the palacelike chandeliers of brightly lit landmark Los Angeles theaters sit all sorts of writers, directors, actors and producers who came west from obscure places powered only by their dreams and talent. But of all the hundreds of nominees in black tie and runway-carpet-chic gowns who will be perched on the edge of their seats in the Nokia Theatre tonight for the 60th annual Primetime Emmy Awards telecast, it would be hard to imagine a better Cinderella story than that of 34-year-old Robin Veith, Perry Hall High, Class of '92. Two years ago, Veith was working as an assistant director for the Ringling Brothers Circus, barnstorming the country on a train full of smelly, exotic animals and strange performers who seemed to speak every language except English.

Last weekend, the film "The Great Gatsby" was reported to have earned a whopping $51 million, according to Business Insider. Just prior to its release, however, many critics ripped the film for distorting the classic novel on which it is based with over-the-top production, including 3-D images and a modern soundtrack produced by Jay-Z. This is the third time that one of the most well-known flawed heroes of 20th century fiction has had his story told on the big screen. But unlike its B-movie 1949 adaptation or drab 1974 version starring Robert Redford, this film explodes with excess - just as Jay Gatsby had intended with his mansion parties on the West Egg. It also gives audiences yet another chance to analyze the one-time Bolton Hill resident F. Scott Fitzgerald's version of the Great American Novel, this time as told through the lens of director Baz Luhrmann.

WELCOME BACK Real Time with Bill Maher returns to HBO tonight just in time for one of the country's most daring political comedians to share his thoughts on the Democratic and Republican conventions. No one on mainstream TV goes where Maher does, and the medium is better for it. Maher's show will air weekly through the November election. No preview available. (11 tonight, HBO) GET MAD ON SUNDAY Mad Men is on a terrific run. The past two episodes ended in scenes set in the home of Madison Avenue ad man Don Draper (Jon Hamm)

Even though Halloween has become synonymous with "sexy" and "trashy" - heck, there's even a naughty ladies' "Bert & Ernie" ensemble - you have a choice. And you can choose fashion and sophistication. There are plenty of options that will have you looking runway-ready, while remaining true to the holiday. We combed the racks at some of the region's top clothing boutiques, consignment shops, vintage troves and even a furrier for our "no costumes allowed" photo shoot. We were able to capture period charm from "Downton Abbey," "Boardwalk Empire" and "Mad Men," the futuristic feel of "Hunger Games" and the boho chic of "Girls.