I was late to get on the Mad Men train, but boy am I glad I did. This AMC drama (passed over by HBO) is a fantastic look into a 1960′s era advertising agency, and one of the most compelling dramas on television.

Details emerged last week on the first season box set, due out on July 1. The standard DVD set will consist of 4 discs in 16×9 widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio in English. It will retail for $49.98. If you really want to splurge an extra penny, you can pick up the 3 disc Blu-ray set, retailing for $49.99. (Aren’t the HD sets usually ridiculously more expensive? Interesting…) The high-def set boasts 1080P High Definition 16×9 Widescreen, and English – 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio.

The Limited Edition “Lighter” packaging is what seals the deal for me (available in both the standard and Blu-ray releases). That thing is super-slick, and I will own it.

Also included in both sets are the following special features:

* “MAD MEN Series Commentary,” audio commentaries on all 13 episodes
* “Establishing MAD MEN,” featurette exploring the world of MAD MEN
* “The Desire of the American Dream,” featuring the 1960′s creative revolution in media
* “Pictures of Elegance,” photo gallery with commentaries from the costume, hair and production designers
* “Scoring MAD MEN” Featurette – MAD MEN Music Sampler

(Source: TVShowsOnDVD)

Hopefully this is a move that foreshadows an end to the writers strike. Lionsgate, the company that produces Showtime’s Weeds and, more relevant for me in this case, AMC’s Mad Men, has struck an interim deal with the WGA.

This means that the writers of these two phenomenal shows are working as you read these words. It’s so nice to see the wheels of progress turning.

(Source: TV Guide)