I have to say that this was such a relaxing experience. Yes, Jon is dazzlingly handsome; he has looks, presence, sparkling eyes, and the same deep voice that Rachel Menken found so reassuring. But I think I speak for all of us when I say that the starstruck quality was almost instantly gone, and what was left was a really nice lunch with a great, and interesting, guy. Which makes it, amusingly, a little hard to put together all the breathless details, but I’m game to try.
Seagirl arrived first, and then Roberta and I walked in. We’d stopped at Shoegasm up the street, and Roberta had brand new purple boots. (Obviously, this is an important part of the story.) This gave us time to meet each other and hit it off. Then Andy Ostroy arrived. As you may recall from yesterday, Andy is the founder of the Adrienne Shelly Foundation, which hosted the auction in which this lunch was a prize, and he is the widower of Adrienne Shelly. Andy is also a blogger and film producer, but wasn’t very familiar with Jon Hamm’s work was totally familiar with Jon Hamm’s work except for not following and doesn’t follow Mad Men (despite being very appreciative of Jon Hamm’s involvement with the Adrienne Shelly Foundation). So, while Jon’s arrival was delayed by massive flight backups on the east coast, we chatted about the ASF, Mad Men, Basket of Kisses, Andy’s political writing, and all sorts of neat things. Overall, Jon was only about 40 minutes late.
Jon was looking extremely handsome, what with the newsboy cap, the peacoat, dress shirt, and Jon-ness. He greeted Roberta & I warmly and introduced himself to Seagirl. Jon knows about the ASF through his friend Amy Rampard (I’m sure I’m spelling this wrong), who was a college roommate of Adrienne Shelly’s and whom Jon knows through the dog park. Yep, Jon walks his beloved Cora there and they became friends. There’s like a dog park tribe or something.
He’d wrapped his part in Ben Affleck’s new movie, The Town, on Wednesday and was flying home. Production was wrapping Thursday. Actors never know how a project is going to turn out, but Jon is feeling good about the production, the cast, and the work they’ve done.
Roberta, who is awesome, had a basket of (Hershey’s) kisses for Seagirl and a package of violet candies for Jon; actors don’t always remember all the details of their work the way fans do, but Jon immediately knew the candies referred to the scene in Three Sundays, when Don reminisces about his father, who liked ham and candies that tasted of violets. I think he really appreciated it. Later, Seagirl totally outdid us by giving Jon a hand-knitted scarf. Jon was blown away, and rightly so. It was perfectly his style, and he left wearing it.
We asked a little about what’s in store for Don Draper, knowing what Jon would say: He has no idea. He described going for long walks with Matt Weiner that go like this: “What do you think will happen?” “I dunno, what do you think will happen?” They stroll and speculate and that, Jon assures us, is the entirety of his contribution to the creative process, and he is always surprised at what comes next. Season 4 remains an absolute mystery to him.
Here are some other conversational highlights:
24 was filming at their studio during the filming of Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency, so they were pretty cramped during an already stressful and complicated shoot; their trailers were way far away, for one thing. And, one morning they arrived at work to discover a giant crater. Apparently a bomb had gone off during the 24 sequence filmed the previous day, and it was kind of “Whoa, look at that!”
Between Two Ferns is literally filmed in a garage, with actual tools hanging on the actual walls. They film about ninety minutes for the three minute sketch.
Seth Meyers wrote Jon Hamm’s John Ham, and he also wrote Peter Saarsgard’s SARS Guard. So it’s a theme.
We discussed the blogosphere and how different people use the internet in different ways, and Jon is just really insightful into how people behave.
We talked about January Jones on SNL. He sent her a supportive text when he saw how vicious all the reviews were. The meanness was undeserved and is typical, Jon said, of the kind of nastiness often targeted at pretty girls. See what a nice guy he is?
He asked about our party, which segued into our discussing Robert Morse (who almost attended) and we all got quite lively about how cool he is and what things we’ve seen him in.
Roberta extended her standing invitation to Jon and Jennifer for Passover (since Matt keeps being a no-show). This led into a really cool description of Jennifer’’s mom’s synagogue, and how involved they are, and how her uncle is this important rabbi, and basically he’d be killed if he missed a family Seder. We forgave him.
One Response to “Hammy lunch stuff”
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34 Responses to “
Hammy lunch stuff ”
1
Judy S
Says:November 20th, 2009 at
12:30 pm
Wonderful summary – I guess we’re pretty lucky all around that this site exists, that gracious and generous people connect, and all is right in the world, for at least two hours at lunch. <3
2
Shelly Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
12:44 pm
Thanks so much for all the updates.
Your title of this post is reminding me to get something to eat soon.
3
the third Mrs. Draper Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
1:27 pm
Thrilled for you all, thrilled to read this brilliantly comprehensive site…and *sick* with envy. Congrats.
4
SFCaramia
Says:November 20th, 2009 at
1:28 pm
Deb–Thanks so much for letting us be “flies on the wall.” It’s funny how life imitates art; in MM, I maintain Rachel, who was Jewish, was the love of Don’s life, and it appears that Jennifer, who is obviously the love of Jon’s life, is also Jewish. Nice!
(Just as an aside, which I may have mentioned before, Jon Hamm and I grew up in the same St. Louis suburb and went to schools just down the road from each other; I went to the public one, he went to the private one. So I know exactly the kind of milieu he comes from, the midwest is a great place to be from and generally produces people who are well grounded with good values. It’s a great place to be from, but a lot of us just need to go somewhere else.)
5
Deborah Lipp Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
2:02 pm
SFC, you must see one of my all-time FAVORITE movies, Kissing Jessica Stein. Jennifer co-wrote and co-stars. I have been a huge fan of this movie since seeing it in the theater in 2001. Jon has a small role.
Jennifer cast Tovah Feldshuh as her mother, and I never doubted that this was a kind of autobiographical choice.
6
Karl
Says:November 20th, 2009 at
2:36 pm
The violet candies? A real Archibald Whitman maneuver.
7
Roberta Lipp Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
2:50 pm
Karl, nice!!! That just made me very smiley.
8
Jules_Atl Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
3:14 pm
I volunteer to stroll with Jon, or any of the Mad Men, and just talk about the show and what may or may not happen. Sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon! BTW, where does one purchase violet candies?? I didn’t know violets had a flavor, at least not one you’d want to make into candy.
9
patroadtrip Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
3:34 pm
#8 Jules_Atl – schedule your next vacation for Madrid, Spain. I have never had a violet candy, but they are a tradition en Espana.
10
SFCaramia
Says:November 20th, 2009 at
3:38 pm
Deb–Thanks for the KJS recommendation. Somehow I missed it when it first came out in general release, but I’ve heard great things about it, so I’ll rent it this weekend and let you know what I think. BTW, because inquiring Basketcases want to know everything about JH, no matter how small, what breed is Cora?
11
Leslie Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
3:41 pm
Can I just say that I giggle-laughed my way thru the farting Grace Kelly sketch? I even guffawed a few times. Hilarious. Fart humor = not lost on me. I realize it’s not for everyone, but the look on Jan’s face was awesome. “Oh…was that me?”
And pointing out what you might already know – I followed your Jennifer W. link to imdb to refresh my memory, and I see that she has quite a big role in the upcoming season of 24. After 6 seasons of a mad men-like obsession, I (accidentally) fell off the 24 wagon last year….but am dedicated to the cause with season 7 on blu-ray in hand right now. Got some catching up to do!
12
seagirl
Says:November 20th, 2009 at
3:57 pm
Cora I think is a shelter doggie mix of Lab and PitBull. Loves her man.
13
SFCaramia Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
4:04 pm
Thanks, seagirl! Even better that she’s a shelter doggie; as the proud surrogate parent of two shelter kitties it’s the only way to go! Score yet another brownie point for JH–he can’t do any wrong, can he?
14
patroadtrip Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
4:07 pm
Did the Basket already provide this link to a MM actor interview?
http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/2009/11/t-lo-interviews-mad-mens-deborah-lacey.html
15
Pamela Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
4:58 pm
Ok, we get it…you guys met him (Hamm). Hmph!
16
seagirl
Says:November 20th, 2009 at
5:10 pm
It’s hard for him to do wrong in my book!
I have two shelter kitties myself.
17
seagirl Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
5:20 pm
SFCaramia, here’s a nice shot of Jon and Cora (my bad, she’s actually shepherd/pitbull mix) from Rolling Stone; scroll down
http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/38792636.html
18
Shelly Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
5:51 pm
You should have asked Jon what he thinks about being compared to Fabio, lol. It’s in the Sexiest Man Alive issue.
19
Anne B
Says:November 20th, 2009 at
6:10 pm
Shelly,
I’m not a People Magazine subscriber, so you’ll have to explain this one to me.
Do you mean shirtless-wonder Fabio who shilled for the fake-butter product all those years … or the adorable one from “Top Chef”, newly minted before the public last year?
I love Top Chef Fabio. He’s-a beautiful. I havva the goosabump.
20
Shelly Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
6:30 pm
I don’t get the magazine that often, but I picked up the Sexiest Man Alive issue today.
There is a one page comparison of different photos (headshots/expressions) of Jon and Fabio. Completely silly, but humorous.
I scanned it for you all:
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/SG83NYC/MISC/SCAN0024.jpg
21
Anadel Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
6:44 pm
Oh my goodness! Jon Hamm and Fabio DO look alike.
I would never had made the connection until looking at those photos. How odd is that? lol
Also thanks for sharing the details of your lunch
.
22
Peggy Joan Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
9:31 pm
Alternate headline for lunch with Jon — “Hamm is deliciously wry”
23
Peggy Joan Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
9:44 pm
Re: patroadtrip #14 said: Did the Basket already provide this link to a MM actor interview?
You forgot to remind us that Deborah Lacey plays the Drapers’ maid Carla. Nice interview, thanks for the link!
http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/2009/11/t-lo-interviews-mad-mens-deborah-lacey.html
24
Peggy Joan
Says:November 20th, 2009 at
9:49 pm
@ Shelly #20, how much would you like to bet that there’s a Fabio sketch during Jon Hamm’s next SNL hosting gig … or maybe JH would be Fabio Jr. and the original Fabio could be a surprise guest as his dad … chuckle.
25
Melissa Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
10:20 pm
Wow, I missed the abuse of January Jones for SNL. She did a fine job, but the writing was absolutely dreadful. You can’t blame her for that.
26
Shelly Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
10:28 pm
Peggy Joan, that would be awesome.
27
SmilerG Says:
November 20th, 2009 at
10:38 pm
“We talked about January Jones on SNL. He sent her a supportive text when he saw how vicious all the reviews were.”
Granted, last week’s episode of SNL wasn’t exactly ’stellar,’ but you’re right about the viciousness of some of the reviews. I particularly enjoyed the “1950s Educational Film for Party-Giving”. It made me think of a great documentary I’ve posted about on BoK.
A while back, on one of the threads (I’ve forgotten which one), I mentioned a 1991 PBS documentary called “Making Sense of the Sixties”. It has only been released on VHS and, for some reason, it was only available for sale to libraries and educational institutions.
I have recently found the first episode of this six-part series online. It’s called
“Seeds of the 60s” and all seven segments can be viewed, beginning here …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss0fwK6lEk4
This is something that many of the Basketcases would probably enjoy seeing and it’s really too bad that this amazing documentary hasn’t had a wider distribution for home viewing! Maybe the producers will someday release it on DVD.
28
GladMadWoman Says:
November 21st, 2009 at
12:20 am
Sounds like fun was had by all! So great that Andy set up ASF in memory of his late wife and great that Jon is willing to contribute.
Jon sounds like a great guy… not only is he incredible as the lead of this show, but he does a stellar job “representing” for Mad Men. There’s doing your job well and then there’s being a great human being. He seems to be interested in being both.
I love that Jon sent JJ a deserved text of support. I wonder if “bashers” would communicate with more thought without the anonymity of the internet.
Thanks Deborah for bringing us along to the party (Seagirl and Roberta too!)
Glad-
29
Jules_Atl Says:
November 21st, 2009 at
3:43 am
@ Anne B – I too love the culinary Fabio. He was this fan’s favorite for sure! As far as the other Fabio, I always maintained that he would be much better looking with different hair!
30
SmilerG
Says:November 21st, 2009 at
7:22 am
Unlike Fabio, I just can’t see Jon Hamm with his shirt off, in some dreamy/hazy “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” ad!
31
SFCaramia Says:
November 21st, 2009 at
11:06 am
seagirl–Thanks so much for the link to “A Boy and His Dog.” Both so cute!
32
SFCaramia Says:
November 21st, 2009 at
11:28 am
patroadtrip#14: Thanks for providing that link to the awesomeDeborah Lacey interview! I’ve always adored Carla; if there’s one weak link in MM seasons so far,
(and in a way I know it’s just being true to the period) it’s that Carla and Hollis are “hiding in plain sight.” It’s a tribute to Deborah’s acting abilities that she’s able to do so much with so little. I hope with the next season and the burgeoning Civil Rights movement, she gets to do more.
33
Robin D. Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at
11:42 am
“BTW, where does one purchase violet candies??”
A quick Google brought me to the Choward’s site, which is the brand I’m familiar with. I usually see them at Newbury Comics, but they seem to be available at Target as well.
The Hamm/Fabio thing is a little creepy. But maybe I’d like Fabio better if he’d just cut his damn hair? Nah, the excessive musculature is more of a turn-off. I’m into leaner athletic boys, myself. Runners and swimmers and martial artists, rather than weightlifters. Ahem.
Glad you ladies had such a lovely lunch. Sounds like it was as enjoyable as my (and seven other people’s) breakfast with Corin Nemic a couple weekends ago. [/shameless bragging]
34
Donny Brook Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at
2:45 pm
I’ve been AFK for a few days and come back to this! Congrats on the experience. Jon always seems like such a great guy.
That Fabio thing in People really makes me cringe.