There’s a fascinating interview with “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner over at The Daily Beast. He has some insightful things to say about the season finale of “Mad Men” and where things stand with the Drapers. (If you still haven’t watched Sunday night’s episode: a.) What are you waiting for? b.) Stop reading NOW!).

Last night’s season finale of “Mad Men” was one of my top ten favorite hours of television, ever. Why? Because it surprised the beejesus out of me—and not in a kill-a-main-character-for-shock-value kind of way. Not to get all film professor on you, but the way I see it, the central tension that makes “Mad Men” so intoxicating is that the characters are miserable with their lives and act out in outrageous ways behind the scenes. But because they so desperately need all the glittering trophies of their lives (the fancy title, the corner office, the seemingly perfect family) they’re completely paralyzed when it comes to actually changing anything. They’re trapped—mostly by themselves but also by a culture not nearly as tolerant of varying life paths as we are today. I, of course, expected the season finale to continue along this trajectory. (Uh, now would probably be a good time to say SPOILER ALERT to anyone who has the episode waiting for them on their DVR.) But nope. Last night was the episode where everyone finally broke out.

Betty Draper doesn’t take any crap. Well, until she booted Don out of the house last season, the “Mad Men” matron took a lot of crap from her two-timing husband. Rather, stay-at-home suburban mom Betty doesn’t take any crap from her two oldest children, Sally and Bobby, and that brand of maternalism would make her practically an endangered species in America today. In nearly every episode, Betty sternly barks: “No,” “Go upstairs and play,” or “Don’t touch that”—and the rugrats actually listen.

“Mad Men” acolytes with eagle eyes might’ve noticed that the book Betty Draper brought into the tub with her on last night’s episode was none other than The Group by Mary McCarthy. Published in 1963 but set in the 1930s, The Group is a subtly scathing portrait of a circle of educated, upwardly mobile New York society women who all went to Vassar College—at the time more of a finishing school than a bastion of liberal education – together. The book follows these eight frenemies as their lives unfold and unravel after graduation, seeing them through abusive marriages, extra-marital affairs, birth control, familial conflict, class war, Communist sympathies, lesbianism, suicide and the ever-elusive female orgasm.

January Jones, aka “Mad Men”‘s Betty Draper, is on the cover of November’s GQ, and in the accompanying article, she eats queso and drinks beer while talking about the progression of her career. A boyfriend’s mom actually helped her learn manners and get rid of her Iowa accent, even after she and the dude broke up! Keep reading for January’s take on Betty and how another ex, who told her she wouldn’t make it in Hollywood, helped her get where she is today.

Those wacky Muppet operators over at “Sesame Street” have created a wonderful send-up of “Mad Men.” In it, puppets Don Draper and Co. at Sterling Cooper learn how to be ... happy! Who would have thunk it? I love the idea of Draper the cad going to teach the little kiddies that what’s important in life is not being a mad ad man, but finding happiness through honey advertising. It would have been awesome if Kermit played Don and Miss Piggy played Betty, but maybe they’re saving that for “The Muppets Take Mad Men.” [BuzzFeed]

If you’re like us, and you love all things “Mad Men,” from the plots to the characters to the looks, you may have noticed the bed that Don and Betty Draper share on the show. Totally retro, it’s got a soft green button-tufted headboard fit for any suburban princess married to a mad, mad ad man—or, you know, you. While the bed on the show was created by set designer Amy Wells, Club Furniture has a similar sleeper for “Mad Men” lovers. Custom-made in North Carolina, the look-alike bed doesn’t come cheap—it’s $1,100 to $1,350, depending on size. (Oh, it’s on sale for just under a grand today!) I like the Sky blue, but the company will use any fabric you desire. Sadly, Don Draper is not included. [L.A. at Home]

Oh, to be in the cast of “Mad Men,” hanging around Don Draper, sporting gorgeous, well-made clothing, and gracing the only program on television where the actresses are encouraged to be voluptuous. January Jones, who plays Betty Draper on the show, had to be asked by the producers to gain weight. “I got told a couple of days ago that I look too skinny, and I was in trouble,” she said. “I’m naturally pretty thin, so I’m trying. I eat whatever is at craft services.” Since women had more meat on their bones in the ‘60s, “Mad Men” actresses are asked to not work out. “They want a soft, voluptuous woman which they were [back then] which is beautiful, as it should be,” said Jones. [OK! Magazine]

How refreshing—I’ve been prepping for January’s role all my life! I happen to be an expert on the subject of gaining weight. So here are five ideas for how January can soften up.

“Mad Men” is my favorite smart show on television (“America’s Next Top Model” is my favorite stupid show), partially because my loins desire the raw magnetism of Don Draper, but also because I absolutely love the compelling story lines driven by the show’s main actresses. Betty Draper’s character is of particular interest to me and I think she is portrayed so subtly by January Jones. But who the heck is the actress with the porn star-worthy name anyway? Well, for starters, she must have been born to fabulous parents—upon her birth in 1978 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, her parents named her after the character “January Wayne”, from Jacqueline Susann’s “Once Is Not Enough”. That just happens to be one of my favorite trashy reads—I mean, who names their kid after a character in one of the trashiest pill-popping novels of the 1970s? Awesome people, that’s who. Read on for more January Jones info, including the slew of Hollywood stars she’s dated.

The Emmy nominations were announced this morning and it was exciting to see so many of our favorites on the list—30 Rock, Mad Men, and even Amy Poehler nominated for her work on Saturday Night Live. But why oh why were the ladies from Mad Man dissed by the Academy? We were soooo hoping to see either January Jones (Betty Draper) or Elisabeth Moss (Peggy) recognized for their talents too, but old standbys like Sandra Oh from Grey’s Anatomy and Mariska Hargitay from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit got the nod instead. Snore! [Emmys.tv]