In tonight's Extra, Extra, the Expo line may open soon, Hollywood could become more bike-friendly and a piece of the L.A. River might be befouled by capitalism. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.
Extra, Extra: Hop on a Train, Bike Through the City and Buy Me a River
TV Junkie: @TeamCoco Broadcasts from NYC Starting Tonight
Lots of Halloween treats tonight - check out our summary and listings. --- "Conan" starts broadcasting in NYC tonight. --- Bill Burr on Fallon tonight. --- We found an hourlong interview with Matt Weiner vid. --- All this + more & the TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan.
'Mad Men's' Don Draper Invents Facebook Timeline
Hold it right there. Not so fast crediting Eric Leist with the invention of Facebook Timeline, a new interface hitting screens in the coming weeks. There's a new old technology wizard in town - Don Draper.
January Jones: Actress, Model, HuffPo Writer
January Jones took a break from her busy filming schedule to pen a piece for the Huffington Post today about the dangers of shark finning. Jones, a spokeswoman for non-profit ocean protection group Oceana, wrote the article in support of AB 376, an anti-finning bill that passed the CA state senate last week.
TV Junkie: Gloria Steinem Targets That Show With the Bunnies
So vintage feminist Gloria Steinem is (finally) targeting NBC's "The Playboy Club" along with the Parent's Television Council and all the other fuddy-duddies because it's sexist, inaccurate, etc. We think you shouldn't watch it because it will be garbage. All this and the TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan for tonight.
TV Junkie: A Review of the Television Critics Awards Winners
Both Jon Hamm and "Mad Men" were winners at this weekend's Television Critics Awards - a great actor on a great show but there were better options that the TCA ignored in these and almost every other category. We review the awards categories, give you a news tidbit about FEARnet, and provide you with the TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan.
TV Junkie: The Unnecessary Noise About 'Breaking Bad' & AMC
AMC's "Breaking Bad" isn't going anywhere, there is no 'drama' about the negotiations, and AMC itself is not becoming a failed network, so ignore the idiotic echochamber that is the Internet and enjoy one of the best shows ever on TV. --- Plus check out the TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan for tonight.
TV Junkie: Letting The 'Mad Men' Pot Simmer Down
Let's calm the heck down about issues surrounding the renewal of AMC's "Mad Men" since we really don't know what the issues are. There's been a lot of stupid articles written about this and they're all based upon assumptions and/or plainly false information. --- We've also got the TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan and the listings for tonight.
Video: "Mad Men" Actors Pitch High Speed Rail
How would advertising big wigs launch a campaign to tout high speed rail in 1965? First, start with a meeting underscored with a jazzy record and bolstered with some fine spirits. Then, thing of the most anti-feminist angle possible (as in, ladies, don't worry about all those knobs and buttons in a car, be passive while riding a train!). Then scoff at predictions the price of gas could exceed a buck forty years out. In fact, scoff at the stupidity of even having to pitch the idea of high speed rail, since the idea should be selling itself.
Steal Sally Draper's Cocktail Menu, Have Your Way with Joan and Cure Your 60's Hangover at Book Soup
Mad Men embodies many things to many people. You might dig Bert Cooper's art and shoeless ways, loathe Pete's ambition or swoon over the Draper's while rooting for their eternal happiness/ruin.
Of all the books and merch associated with the hit show, Dyna Moe's Mad Men: The Illustrated World is one of the few that doesn't take itself too seriously which is why you should check out her signing at Book Soup tomorrow evening at 5 p.m.
Pencil This In: Looney Tunes, Mad Men Lit, Solar Love and Ant Farm Collective
The Hollywood Heritage Museum will have author Jerry Beck on hand to give you a history of the Looney Tunes and a screening of a selection of Looney Tune Cartoons in celebration of his latest book, The 100 Greatest Looney Tune Cartoons. Tickets for Hollywood Heritage members are $5, non-members pay $10. Tickets sold at the door. Event starts at 7:30 p.m.
TV Junkie: Thought's On 'Mad Men' Finale? Fox/Cablevision Rukus will soon be Fox/Dish Debacle
Still trying to figure out the meaning behind the last moment's of the "Mad Men" series finale on Sunday. Of course we were wrong with the theory we voiced yesterday about Sally Draper being at the crux of the finale. [Spoiler Alert] Was it a cop out for Don to get engaged to his secretary? We're convinced that Bookmaker.com is...
TV Junkie: Tonight's 'Mad Men' Season Finale
At 10pm tonight another season of AMC's groundbreaking series, "Mad Men", reaches its conclusion. The now-divorced Don Draper continues his thick-waisted conquest of as many women as possible and as many bottles as possible - although halfway through the season he cut back a bit on the booze in order to write a diary which meant we were subjected to a lot of unnecessary Don Draper narrations.
Midnight Movie: Free Hamm in MP3
Actor Jon Hamm's (Mad Men's Don Draper, obviously) secret has started to slip out over the last few years. The handsome, Emmy-nominated thespian is hilarious.
Hamm was a recent guest on Never Not Funny, the highly successful comedy (audio and video) podcast hosted by stand-up Jimmy Pardo (LAist Interview,) and produced by Matt Belkap. The rapid-fire three-way banter reveals that, while Pardo has legendary timing and quickness (to which Belknap is a great compliment,) Hamm's comedy chops are enough to earn him comedic leading-man consideration.
12 Places Where You Can Live Like a 'Mad Men' Character in L.A.
AMC's smash hit drama Mad Men's fourth season is in full swing, and while the show is set in New York, it's filmed out here. You can sometimes spot where the characters are dining, meeting, shopping or imbibing on the show as a familiar location (Cole's, for example). But if you want to live like a real Mad Man or Madame, the Huffington Post has put together a list of 12 places where you can trade today for yesteryear in the comfort of your own city.
TV Junkie: Genndy's New Cartoon Network Show; 'Boardwalk Empire', 'Mad Men' Sunday
Ok, so yeah, "Boardwalk Empire" premieres this Sunday on HBO. Even though Sunday evening is a crowded slot, this show should percolate to the top of your viewing options (if you have HBO).
TV Junkie: The Emerson-O'Quinn Experience; 'Mad Men' Auction; 'Glee' News
The TV Junkie Plan: "Hard Knocks", "The Fabulous Beekman Boys", "Man Shops Globe", "Tosh.0", "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" (Laura Linney), Kimmel ( Jason Schwartzman), Fallon (Michael Cera)
TV Junkie: Don Draper Is Not Satan
Hey high rollers, how'd you like that "Man Men" premiere last night? According to Nielsen Media Research 48% of you "Mad Men" watchers make more than $100,000/yr so you're already living the life.
Pencil This In: Motown Legend Diana Ross @ Nokia Theatre
The legendary Diana Ross takes the stage at Nokia Theatre tonight to perform a collection of her greatest hits. Ross secured her place in music history as the lead singer for The Supremes and later with a very successful solo career. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Ross and The Supremes were an instrumental part of Motown's golden era, along with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and other great singers. She is also credited with having discovered the late Michael Jackson. Show starts at 8:00 PM.
Mattel Announces Collection of 'Mad Men' Dolls
Los Angeles-based toy powerhouse Mattel has the grown-ups' attention today after announcing they will debut 4 dolls based on popular Mad Men characters this summer, according to the NY Times. Part of their Barbie Fashion Model Collection, the Don Draper, Betty Draper, Joan Holloway, and Roger Sterling dolls "will be the first licensed line for that collection."
TV Junkie: Kardashian's Walk All Over 'Mad Men'; 'V' Back & 'Sons of Anarchy' Special
Tonight brings the return of "V" and we'll be on it this time since the episodes don't appear on Hulu until Saturday. "Sons of Anarchy" will have be a 1.5 hour special and series guest star Adam Arkin will be on "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson". At the end of our post check out the in-production "Pacific" promo from HBO featuring the commentary of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.
TV Junkie: Finale Summary; Showtime Winter Series Dates
As we know, last night had the excellent season finale of "Bored to Death" which we gave you a sneak peek of but it also had the finale of the multi-Emmy winning "Mad Men" on AMC. "Mad Men" generally had a great season with only a couple sleepy episodes but the finale was incredible. Maybe Don is finally free of Betty but the plight of the kids had our female viewing party members crying with most feeling that Don was much better off without "that crazy Betty". What will keep us pining for the next season is the momentum that was built up with what was ostensibly the launch of a start-up '60s-style. Summer of 2010 can't come too soon.
What Would Don Draper Tweet?: Ad Man Integrates Social Media Into Coursework
If “Mad Men” has taught us anything, it’s that advertising is all about the client and the product. But a “Mad Man” for the technology age urges ad firms to put the Don Draper era behind them and consider the consumer in a new manner: through the lens and the interactive venue of today’s social media tools.
TV Junkie: TV Ain't Goin' Away (Yet); FX vs FOX; 'White Collar' Premiere
Weekend Edition
The prediction that TV was fading into the fog of yesteryear as a medium seems to not be true (for the moment). Overall viewership of TV is up by 4% and the departure of the coveted 18-49 demographic seems to have been arrested. The Hollywood Reporter offers a breakdown, network by network.
TV Junkie: 'Balloon Boy' to Become Mini-Series? 'Monty Python' Doc Premieres Sunday on IFC
Weekend Edition
The world watches an empty balloon that could be part of a stunt to get a reality show, hmmm, that makes us think that this particularly family could easily head down the "Jon & Kate Plus 8" route - and whoops, TLC is now suing Jon Gosselin. Unless there is some kind of massive intervention, nothing will end well for anyone in that family.

