So, here’s what’s going on. We got contacted by someone from AMC (who did not suck in the least, despite all we’ve said about them) regarding some Season Two photos we posted. In our analysis of the photos, we drew some conclusions. Those conclusions were on the cusp of spoilers.
So we pulled them. And we could have pulled them and not mentioned, but you guys are ridiculously smart, and catch, well, everything, and we did not want you not to trust us.
We don’t feel that we trespassed any boundaries. And in fact, having just posted our spoiler policy, we hope you know that we take this stuff seriously.
But we were asked, and asked nicely, to remove them. We don’t want to hurt the show or its viewers. Again, we really don’t think we did, but people are upset; nice, wonderful people who give us this show that we love.
And so, to give the love back, we pulled the photos.
Sincerest kisses–
the Lipp sisters
June 10, 2008 at 2:13 pm
And in exchange did they guarantee a fifth season?
All kidding aside, I’m sure that your decision was based on the ability to continue to receive some favorable consideration – be it tips, scoops, the occasional site visit from a show-regular. I get it.
However, and with all do respect, I’d like to call Bullshit. Basically, they are saying that because people on this blog deduced and speculated about certain things from a few advance images, the discussion should be erased.
To my way of thinking, a spoiler is only a spoiler when someone represents that they actually KNOW what is going to happen (as in: I heard from someone on the set, and HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS). As I recall, that’s not what the pictures discussion was about – it was all speculation … who’s wearing rings, outfits, who’s in the meetings, etc. Just a bunch of people shooting the shit; no one saying they’ve got the real answers. Bar talk.
We won’t know who’s correct until the episodes air (or if AMC calls and says BoK contains spoilers). So what does this mean … we can speculate all we want as long as we’re wrong?
Like I said, I respect your decision, but I think AMC is wrong to have asked. And no, this isn’t my usual bat-shit-crazy ranting about the network. Unless those photos were stolen from a locked drawer in Mr. Weiner’s office (going out on a limb there – they weren’t, right?), I don’t think AMC should weigh in on what fans are saying.
June 10, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Did they actually say the words, “Dammit! You people are too smart!?
Bet they’ll analyze what they release a little more carefully. “If I were a crazed fan, what could I deduce?”
June 10, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Yeah, you people probably were too smart, which is why I didn’t read that post! As I’ve mentioned before, I want to be surprised as much as possible. Few enough enjoyments come my way these days, I’ll try to preserve what little there are.
June 11, 2008 at 12:33 am
dans, I think I agree with you. On the one hand I understand them wanting to surprise the audience, but on the other hand, if people aren’t talking about the show, they tend to forget about it. It’s why a lot of shows never regained their momentum after the Writer’s Strike. People found other things to do. Now that it’s summer, I think this really may be the case. There are a million other things to do–a million other things on people’s minds. If they’re trying to build an audience, I don’t know if imposing a gag order is the best way to go about it.
Truth is, nothing builds buzz like a leak–a litle bit of a spoiler that gets people talking and speculating. Leaks are part of good PR! I mean, it’s the first thing they teach in Publicity 101. Why do you think it’s done so much in the political realm? It’s not about spilling the entire story, but giving a little nugget that will titillate and excite the people enough to keep the momentum going.
In terms of Mad Men, there were all kinds of spoilers and speculation in Season 1. And remember, Peggy giving birth to PeteSpawn was spoilered before the episode aired. I don’t think that hurt people’s enjoyment of “The Wheel.” It just heightened their interest in it, and provided enough controversy so that people are still talking about it.
June 11, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I agree with Dan.
Btw, Dan, may I exchange a script for the Nixon vs. Kennedy one? Do you still have my email?
June 11, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Yeah this is interesting…you want to play nice with TPTB so they might treat you well. But then you get your hands on S2 photos that no one was supposed to have yet…and they ask you to take them down. What to do, what to do.
I think it’s your posting of the not-yet-released photos online, not the speculation your readers are doing, that they are concerned about, yes?
June 11, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Um, I agree with what Dan said. All respect to the Lipp Sisters for their decision. I just don’t like this “gag rule” imposed by AMC. I’ll watch the premiere but it’ll be with a little less enthusiasm. This is NOT a good way to sustain and (hopefully) build an audience, AMC….
June 12, 2008 at 8:51 am
Anyway, I think this blog is a testament that what inspires the fans’ devotions is not only the burning question of what will happen next. What really keeps us coming back are the subtle and complex characterization, the incisive portrayal of relationships, the thoughtful exploration of themes and social trends. After all, all of us here watch episodes several times so knowing how the stories will turn out is not the real draw of a show like MM. And in a way the fact that we speculate just shows how real MM people are to us–it’s as if we were gossiping about flesh and blood folks.
June 12, 2008 at 9:21 am
And in a way the fact that we speculate just shows how real MM people are to us–it’s as if we were gossiping about flesh and blood folks.
I remember Deborah saying that about thirtysomething… you’d shush people in the room, not because you couldn’t hear the TV, but because Shh! You’re interrupting!
June 12, 2008 at 10:23 am
thirtysomething … what sucked was that its greatest show (do I need to say which?) was also it’s JTS moment … couldn’t watch after that.
i think it was off the air less than a year after, or am i mistaken?
September 15, 2008 at 9:00 pm
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