In discussions about the most remarkable series finales, fans often recall Breaking Bad's Felina as a top contender, and it's easy to see why. However, Jerry Seinfeld's show, Seinfeld, stands out for a more contentious ending that didn't sit well with many viewers when it first premiered.
Similar to Breaking Bad, Jon Hamm's Mad Men managed to deliver a compelling conclusion that resonated with audiences, and Jerry Seinfeld holds this finale in high esteem.
Jerry Seinfeld Considers Mad Men as the Ultimate Series Finale
Over time, opinions about Seinfeld’s finale have softened, but at the time of its airing, fans felt disappointed as the characters ended up in prison. Despite this backlash, Jerry Seinfeld expressed that he couldn’t imagine a different approach to the finale, even while recognizing fans' frustrations. In stark contrast, he views the Mad Men conclusion as the pinnacle of series finales, heralding it as both fulfilling and humorous.
Seinfeld articulated his appreciation, stating that while many favor the Bob Newhart finale and acknowledge Mary Tyler Moore's decent conclusion, he believes Mad Men holds the title for the most satisfying and amusing final moments of any series he has encountered.
Narratively intriguing is the fact that Matthew Weiner, the creative mind behind the acclaimed series, faced challenges when attempting to pitch his concept to HBO, which dismissed it outright without serious consideration.
HBO Rejected Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men Without Considering the Pitch
Before Mad Men found a platform at AMC, Matthew Weiner sought to share his vision for the pilot with HBO. Although he carried considerable credibility, aided by a recommendation from The Sopranos' David Chase, the executives at HBO, led by Carolyn Strauss, chose not to engage with the proposal.
Having previously collaborated on The Sopranos, Weiner found HBO's indifference difficult to process, feeling overlooked despite his connections there. He expressed his disappointment at not being acknowledged, given his previous role within that creative family.
Ultimately, this setback did not deter the director of The Romanoffs, as Mad Men eventually found its place on AMC and catapulted Jon Hamm into stardom.
Mad Men is now streaming on Apple TV, while Seinfeld can be found on Netflix.