For fans of Matthew Weiner's Mad Men, on temporary hiatus due to rancorous contractual disputes and John Slattery's commitment to embarrassing "Smarter Than Luxury" Lincoln commercials, we offer a brilliant replacement series, gift-wrapped for summer and fall. Bit of a reality show, though that's stretching a point given the depth of the contestants' narcotic haze, which makes a Don Draper bender in the swingin' 60s West Village seem like a milk and cookies swing through Romper Room.
Yes, it's American Idyll - otherwise known as the the Republican primary field - which is shaping up (slowly and reluctantly) as the feel-good hit of the year. Friends, it appears that Bachmann Gingrich Trump will be replacing Sterling Cooper Draper and oh, the hi-jinks we can look forward to. Field trips to see the famous Minute Men monument on Concord, New Hamphire. The opening of the hot new Donald Trump golf project, Birther Links, designed by Tom Fazio. The Gingrich PSA on nursing a spouse through cancer and impeachment. Rand Paul. 'Nuff said. (Kinduva libertarian Pete Campbell). The shop-worn socialist healthcare guy, whassiname, big Mormon fella. Bass-playin' Bible-thumpin' Kenyan-confusin' Mike Huckabee. And Haley Barbour, Citizens' Committee man and proud hi-ball tossing lobbyist. All sizes and flavors of crazy - and that's without Sarah Palin. (We're giving Tim Pawlenty a pass, but we're guessing his new-found love for the Tea Party offers all sorts of plotlines).
Outside of baseball (and let's face it, the Mets will done by June) and the new Bear Grylls episodes, what else offers better pure, sit on your couch in wonderment entertainment than GOP2012? Sure I miss Peggy, but this one's gonna do big numbers. Too bad the big red carpet premiere's been postponed till September.
