I LOVE this show. The writers have done their research so well and the details are right on the money!

You aren't kidding Janice! You would think it really was done in the 60s! I can't wait to catch Weds. afternoon!

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Posted: 12:00 am
August 17, 2008
Colin Hanks badgered "Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner for a year to get a role on television's hottest show.
"When I first saw it, I said, 'I can be on this show and I could look as I normally look," he says. "I met with Matt and stressed how much I would love to be on the show. He was kind enough to keep an eye out."
His wish finally came true and the episode, Hanks' first of three, airs tonight. It is a pivotal episode-one might say the most dramatic in the series' second season-as a charismatic young priest, Father Gill, ingratiates himself into the lives of the Olsen family and in particular, Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss).
"The fact that I was going to play a priest was a bit of a shock," Hanks sas. "I wanted to look dapper in a great suit. But it's a plum role and a huge challenge. I'm not a Catholic and I'm not a priest."
Like many of the show's characters, Father Gill is poised on the brink of change. The sweeping reforms that were to revolutionize the Catholic Church as a result of Vatican II have not yet occurred, yet Gill wants to seem more modern and hip than his elders in the priesthood. And so he improvises a prayer when blessing the food at the Olsen house; when he's finished, Peggy's by-the-book Catholic mother (Myra Turley) says to him, "Thanks, Father, now you can say Grace."
Hanks, 30, plays Father Gill with just the right mixture of yearning and humility. He fits in with the period and the period furnishings, down to the good Sunday lace tablecloth on the Olsen dining room table. But Father Gill is more than a set decoration. When he learns about Peggy's success in advertising, he asks her to give him some pointers for his Palm Sunday sermon. They have an unexpected rapport.
"He's a young priest looking to make the church relevant to young people," Hanks says. "Peggy fits into that category."
He says he had some "good laughs" on the set with Elisabeth Moss and was generally so impressed to be working with the cast of a show he so admires that he's already thought of 20 "great" storylines that will bring him back to the series - not as the star, necessarily, but "there, involved."
Hanks was born in Sacramento, Calif., the son of Tom and his first wife Samantha Lewes, an actress and producer who is now deceased. He studied acting at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. His 10-year career includes a small role in his father's miniseries "Band of Brothers," some movies ("King Kong" and "Inescapable") and a nice run on "Roswell," where co-starred with Katherine Heigl.
"I was very lucky to get a full-time gig that early on in my career," he says of his role as Alex Whitman. "I was essentially the friend of the two humans who were dating the aliens and then I started dating an alien, too. Just saying that makes me giggle." He loved working with Heigl. "She's a sweetheart. I found her to be a lot of fun. And now she's a movie star and I could not be happier."
He moved to New York two years ago with his girlfriend Samantha, a restaurant publicist, and sardonically says that he would like be working more in the city and not flying out to Los Angeles. "Apparently they only make cop and cougar shows here, along with some fine comedy programming," he says. "I am just trying to be the best cultural attache to the city that I can be."
He says he's moved beyond the point of asking his dad for advice about the acting business. "I've been working for now 10 years. He knows that the dude who willingly throws out advice is the guy you probably shouldn't be listening to."

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I love Colin Hanks! I was a huge fan of "Roswell" and never missed it. I was so sad when he left the show. I hope he gets to have a long and successful career. I am anxious to watch him on "Mad Men".

I didn't know that Rita Wilson was not his mom and that his real mom passed away. So sad.

Thanks for bringing the info here Aerwin!

I know he is a doll!! Let me know after you watch the new episode.

I am watching it right now! It did start at 11:00 AM our time. It just started! THERE HE IS!!

OK, I just finished watching it!! Oh so good! I won't discuss details as I don't know if you all have seen it yet.

But, am I sick because I want to see Peggy and Father Gill become a couple They have great chemistry together!

Oh I wanted to discuss it?! I s Janice watching S1? One thing I do want to say is this everytime I think Don is the cad of all cads he does something to make me feel symphathy for him. Why is Betty on that little boys case all the time?

aerwin, I haven't seen S1 yet...still waiting, but if you want to discuss it I certainly don't mind if others don't mind either. It would fill in some blanks. Thanks for posting the bio on Colin Hanks. I didn't realize the priest was Tom Hanks' son.

In the last episode, I also was wondering why Betty is on the boy's case so much. Could it be that it is Don's son, but not hers? Since he strays freely, it's a possibility and maybe it's someone who is a friend or co-worker. She seems to expect Don to be the one to discipline him. I have no idea why they act they way they do...just speculating!

No the little boy is her's and Don's. I just wonder why she is on him so. I think Don hesitates to spank him because he was beaten as a child. He had a very rough childhood so I think perhaps he wants a better life for his son. That's what I mean about Don he basically does despicable things but then he will do something decent. So I can not make myself dislike him entirely. For instance in S1 he championed Peggy and encouraged her. Then this week he refused to spank that little boy , which btw I think he was right.

I agree! I never believed in spanking or hitting kids. I was spanked. I think the previous generation to ours was all about that. My folks sure got some major lickings - with belts and such So awful.

I think both Don and Betty need help in the parenting department. Don loves his kids, but has issues that is for sure. I have only seen the 4 episodes from this season, but Betty doesn't seem very maternal. She seems so put out my her kids. Not even realizing that they didn't have dinner. Perhaps she had her kids too young and feels they have held her back from doing some things she would love to do.

That whole Sunday dinner scene at the beginning with Father Gil took me back to my childhood (like this show often does). I had an aunt and uncle with a home so similar and many times when I was little we would go there for Sunday dinner after mass. That aunt and uncle have both passed on and sadly both their sons, my cousins Bobby and Tommy, died of cancer when they were 52.

I think that is one reason I love this show. It's brings back a flood of childhood memories along with the excellent storytelling.

If you see any of S1 you will see Betty is incredibly vain. she does seem out out by her kids though. I wonder how old they are supposed to be? 30's? I can't really tell. I hope Pete is on next week.

Did you watch? I recorded it and will watch tonight. I can't wait.

YES!! I watched last night! It was GOOD! I was going to talk about it, but didn't know if you guys watched it yet. So come here after you watch it and we can talk about it!

I just want to say that January Jones is so freaking beautiful it is insane!!!

Man , what a great episode. I just knew Don helped out Peggy in her crisis. I wonder if he knows about the baby?! I was LMAO when Betty banned salt. Too funny. I just LOVE when Peggy and Pete are on , even if not together. I love that actor that plays Pete. He has the coolest voice. And even though he is basically a cad he seems quite vulnerable.He is a great character. I do not , not like jimmy and his wife. It is time for them to bye. Oh , oh the pretty brunette Don encountered in the restuarant was a dept . Store Heiress he had an affair with last year. He fell for her but she dumped him. She is so pretty. The best part of the show had to be when Peggy called Mr . Draper Don. Go Peggy!! The look on his face was priceless.