Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

Rejecting Mad Men

Sep 2, 2023

Discover the rejection story of the television show Mad Men and how its creator, Matthew Weiner, overcame multiple rejections from major networks. Explore his struggles in the film industry, his determination, and his eventual success with AMC as the home for Mad Men.

34:14

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Quick takeaways

Matthew Weiner faced widespread rejection from major networks before finding success with Mad Men.

Weiner's determination and perseverance despite constant skepticism led to Mad Men becoming a critically acclaimed and influential TV series.

Deep dives

Matthew Weiner's journey from rejection to success

Matthew Weiner, the creator of Mad Men, faced widespread rejection from major networks like HBO, FX, and Showtime before finding success. Despite being told that nobody would watch a series about advertising, having an unlikable protagonist, and focusing on a period piece, Weiner's agent eventually secured a deal with a basic cable movie channel. This rejection ultimately led to Mad Men becoming a highly acclaimed and influential television series.

Introduction

4min

Struggles and Resilience in the Film Industry

9min

Lessons Learned and a Strange Idea

3min

The Birth of Mad Men

14min

Rejecting Mad Men, Part Two: Finding a Home

5min

In case you missed it, the team behind Under the Influence has more podcasts. Five, to be exact. Executive produced by Terry O', meet the Apostrophe Podcast Company.

Apostrophe brings you Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe, Surviving Life with Survivorman Les Stroud and We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast – where we tell stories of how the world’s most celebrated people overcame debilitating career rejection to achieve mammoth success.

We Regret To Inform You has 2 million downloads across 70 episodes – and there's one in particular we think you might enjoy. Brylcreem those strands, suit up and take a stroll down Madison Avenue. This week, we tell the rejection story of AMC's Mad Men:

According to Rolling Stone, Mad Men is the fourth-greatest television show of all time – bested only by Breaking Bad, The Wire and The Sopranos. But before Sterling Cooper ever opened its doors, Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner was rejected by every major network – including HBO, FX and Showtime. Weiner was told no one would watch a series about advertising, that his main character was an unlikable smoker slash philanderer and that viewers hated period pieces. Mad Men gathered rejections, then dust. Until Weiner got a phone call from a basic cable movie channel.

Listen to Part 2 here.

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