Pop Culture Bracketology: TV series, Final Four pitches and results

Here we are, the Final Four. Much like our Sweet 16 portion of the tourney, the format of the post is going to be slightly different. Instead of our e-mail discussion, below are four “pitches” from WEEKEND contributors as to why a certain series should make it to the championship round. And then, results!

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“Mad Men” vs. “The Daily Show”

Why “Mad Men” should win: “Mad Men” is the best show on television right now. It’s just that simple. I add the “right now” as a means of covering my ass in case there’s some amazing show I’ve never heard of, because that’s about the only scenario in which something bests “Mad Men.”

No show at the moment, with the possible exception of “Lost,” looks so darn good. Every episode seems like it could have been made as a movie; the cinematography is beautiful, the actors are uniformly great, and the writing for this show is incredibly smart. The writers have crafted characters that are lessons in dichotomy, in that each character must become someone else when they are at work or at home. Don Draper, the protagonist, has countless personas that he must put on to suit the occasion. The idea of the real Don Draper has all but disappeared.

The way the show handles real-life historical events is also well-done and tasteful. The show is a document of the early ‘60s and all the changes that are beginning, yet it never slips into nostalgia. Even with the assassination of President Kennedy, the show avoided easy patriotism and exploitation.

“Mad Men” doesn’t concern itself with explosions and gun fights (although a recent severed foot was quite a shock). Instead, the show focuses on the hidden intrigues of its characters, as well as the emerging dominance of consumerism. Unlike any other, this show follows the transition of America into the nation as we know it. – Brian Marks

Why “The Daily Show” Should Win: Why does “The Daily Show”  deserve to beat “Mad Men” in the pop-culture bracketology Final Four for television? Because Jon Stewart is the original mad man, that’s why.

Sure, Jon might not be as suave and handsome as Don, but where “Mad Men” takes a subtle, nuanced approach to confronting the social troubles of the time, Jon doesn’t muddy the waters. When he encounters something that’s not right in culture or politics, he just comes right out and says “That is fucking stupid.”  

Remember when he called Tucker Carlson a dick? The only time that word even comes to mind while watching “Mad Men” is when Don is sticking his in someone who’s not Betty. And no one takes down FOX News’ faux “fair and balanced” shtick like Stewart.  

“Mad Men” might be a top-notch fictional drama, but nothing beats the real-life drama that occurs on Stewart’s stage when low-life demagogues like Carlson or Bill O’Reilly show up. And while our understanding of the ’60s might be enhanced by regularly viewing of “Mad Men,” Stewart’s commentary on current events is the essential news source of our generation. – Megan Clayton

Results: With 57 percent of the vote, “Mad Men” tops Jon Stewart moves on to the final match-up.

“30 Rock” vs. “LOST”

Why “30 Rock” should win: Every generation has had a defining comedy show that has managed to provide a subtle time capsule of the world it is set in, break some new ground conceptually, and, most importantly, make people laugh their asses off.

What “Happy Days,” “Cheers” and “Seinfeld” were in the past, “30 Rock” may very well be now. With former “Saturday Night Live” writers and cast members making up much of the core of their team, the ability to wittily satirize current events on the show is undeniable.

Exhibit A: the recent takeover on the shoe of NBC by Kabletown (i.e. Comcast). Furthermore, setting the show as a behind-the-scenes look at what essentially IS Saturday Night Live provides a fertile comedic environment and a welcome difference from the standard apartment, bar, coffeehouse or diner. Most of all, the show is just funny as hell and has bounced back from an uneven third season.

Now well into its fourth season, the characters have all had the kinks worked out and are consistently hilarious. Liz, Jack, Tracy, Kenneth, Frank, and now even Jenna (previously the show’s weak point) are good for several laughs an episode. Basically, the series is back at the top of its game with no end in sight and continues to make a strong case as not only the best, but most memorable comedy on TV right now. And frankly, how can you go against a show with lines such as “So I’m in the strip club with Charles Barkley and one of the hobbits…”? – Max McCombs

Why “LOST” should win: We already awarded it the honor of Best TV Series of the Decade, so though it might be selfish to collect more awards, there is no reason not to keep pushing it forward here. I could give you the whole pitch about how it is the most network television series of all time because of its ability to manage hundreds of plot threads with (mostly) relative ease, manipulate the framing devices of storytelling and captivate millions of people around the world.

Or I could talk about its innovations in scheduling, by setting an end-date while still being one of the most popular series on television, something virtually unheard of.

Or I could talk about the much-praised performances of Terry O’Quinn, Michael Emerson, Elizabeth Mitchell and Josh Holloway and the mostly underrated performances of Matthew Fox, Naveen Andrews, Ken Leung, Nestor Carbonell and Jorge Garcia.

Even more, I could talk about the dense mythology, literary references, intertextuality and world-wide scope.

But instead, I’ll just say this: Smoke Monster. – Cory Barker

Results: With 57 percent of the vote, “LOST” narrowly tops “30 Rock” and moves on to the finals.

There we have it, folks. “LOST” vs. “Mad Men.” Who ya got?