Kiernan Shipka
Kiernan Shipka has literally grown up on “Mad Men” as Don’s daughter Sally. The divorce from Betty (January Jones, not attending tonight) was particularly hard on Sally and she doesn’t much like her stepfather, or her biological parents for that matter. Shipka also starred in Lifetime’s “Flowers in the Attic” remake this year.
Every year Sally grew up, did you have to research what kids of that age were like in the ‘60s?
Kiernan Shipka: Yeah, definitely. I definitely try to do my research. There was one year in particular when it was like the British invasion when Sally was super obsessed about the Beatles, that I was actually learning about that time period in history which was super cool to have that much background. It really inspired me to always research the time and what was going on and how it affects my character. So for sure, it’s really cool.
What are your hopes for Sally in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s?
Kiernan Shipka: Sally’s going to be awesome. She’s obviously growing and evolving so she’s going to be super cool I think.
Are you ready to do “Petals on the Wind,” the sequel to “Flowers in the Attic?”
Kiernan Shipka: I’m actually not going to do “Petals on the Wind” because it jumps.
It jumps too far ahead for you to keep playing the role?
Kiernan Shipka: Yeah.
Is that a bummer?
Kiernan Shipka: Yeah, it was a really good experience. Working with Ellen Burstyn, as an actor, she is an icon. She is a leged so it was insane to be able to work next to her.
Pete Campbell might be the slimiest of all the “Mad Men,” and actor Vincent Kartheiser might have been trying to mess with us when he began pointing out random things about my recorder. He actually got pretty deep when I started hitting him with questions.
Vincent Kartheiser: Ear mic.
Ear is for headphones, mic is for you to talk into.
Vincent Kartheiser: I know, but it’s nice to see those words like that, just in space, floating.
How did you find the voice of Pete Campbell in the beginning?
Vincent Kartheiser: I actually kind of based it off my grandpa. He has a stronger timber than me and always was a little bit deeper, and I thought that would be kind of fun to do.
Could you believe Trudy stood by him as long as she did?
Vincent Kartheiser: Women are strong. They are and I think at that time, and I still think now in some societies, in some parts of America and in some families, it’s hard to divorce. It’s hard to separate. It’s a social stigma. There’s a taboo, and I think she feels that. She’s part of that. She cares about her social position and the way that her neighbors see her. It matters to her.
What are your hopes for Pete going into the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s?
Vincent Kartheiser: No hopes, no hopes. I’ve given up all hopes for Pete.
What was the point where you gave up on Pete?
Vincent Kartheiser: That’s a good question. Well, I didn’t give up on him. You can never give up on your character. He has hope and I still wish for him some good things, but you begin to expect the worst with a character like that, is what I’ll say.
Finally, a quick word with Christina Hendricks, whose Joan Holloway/Harris has gone through a lot of hardship for every victory she achieves. Knowing she can’t spoil season seven, I stuck with my decades question that would only be relevant long after “Mad Men” ends.
Long after “Mad Men” is over, what are your hopes for Joan as she enters the ‘70s and ‘80s?
Christina Hendricks: Well, I hope she finds love and I hope that her son is nice to her and never goes through that awkward phase where he’s a mean teenager. I just hope she’s happy.
If Matt could be convinced to do a season eight, would you want that?
Christina Hendricks: Oh yeah, I’d do it in a heartbeat. You kidding me?
