Jon Hamm Reveals Fake Cigarettes and Onion Water ‘Vodkas’ Made ‘Mad Men’ Authentic and Hilarious

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Over a decade since “Mad Men” concluded, stars Jon Hamm and John Slattery continue to cherish their time on the groundbreaking AMC series, save for the cigarette habit and the onion water aspect of it.

Meeting up this coming Saturday at Austin’s ATX TV Festival. Hamm and Slattery conversed with moderator Noah Hawley (who collaborated with Hamm on the latest season of “Fargo”) regarding the enduring impact of the series, its relevance to them and its followers – including the countless cigarettes they smoked.

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We’re getting together this Saturday at Austin’s ATX TV Festival. Hamm and Slattery chatted with moderator Noah Hawley (who worked with Hamm on the recent “Fargo” season) about the lasting impression of the show, its continued relevance to them and their audience – not forgetting all those cigarettes!

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This coming Saturday at Austin’s ATX TV Festival, we find Hamm and Slattery discussing with moderator Noah Hawley (who teamed up with Hamm on “Fargo’s” latest season). They delved into the show’s lasting legacy, its ongoing significance to them and their fans – and of course, the countless cigarettes they puffed.

Hawley commented, “I don’t think that was beneficial for you.” Hamm responded, “No, it definitely wasn’t. In the pilot episode itself, I uttered the words of 75 cigarettes… Granted, they were fake cigarettes, but that just implies there’s no nicotine present. It doesn’t mean there wasn’t some substance being burned.”

Hawley observed, “I don’t think that was beneficial for you.” To which Hamm replied, “Indeed, it wasn’t. In the pilot episode alone, I spoke 75 ‘cigarettes.’ They were just props, but it suggests there wasn’t any nicotine involved. However, it doesn’t mean there wasn’t something being burned.

Since “Mad Men” was filmed in Los Angeles rather than its actual setting, New York, a large portion of the shooting occurred indoors. As Matt Weinberg (Hamm) stated, this had its advantages and disadvantages: “We didn’t go outside, which was both amazing and not so great.” The entire set was filled with artificial cigarette smoke throughout the production process.

Slattery pointed out that these counterfeit cigarettes led them to puff rose petals and marshmallows instead. Though such an aromatic blend might seem appealing, it proved anything but delightful. To top it off, the substitute for a vodka martini was nothing more than a glass of water infused with onion.

“Oh, the breath was lovely,” quipped Hamm.

Slattery emphasized that the vodka was a fraud, yet the pearl onion was genuine. “Drop another pearl onion into your water-filled glass, then pretend to smoke 26 counterfeit cigarettes, and it’s already 9:30 in the morning!” he exclaimed.

It was somewhat improved compared to using actual cigarettes, a fact that Hamm mentioned some of the younger actors attempted during the filming of the “Mad Men” pilot.

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The situation was slightly more acceptable than smoking genuine cigarettes, as Hamm pointed out that some of the younger actors experimented with this during the shooting of the “Mad Men” pilot.

They said they wanted to smoke genuine cigarettes, really craving the experience,” Hamm recounted. “I responded, ‘keep me updated.’ In just three days, they had taken on a yellowish pallor. It’s clearly not a smart choice.

Hawley noted a comparable technique that performers often grasp: When eating in front of the camera, nibble on tiny portions as each take will likely be repeated multiple times.

Hamm also suggested stirring the food on the dish,” he joked. “Wish we all had Brad Pitt’s charm, don’t we?

In the early 1960s, cigarettes played a significant role in shaping the atmosphere for advertising professionals working on Madison Avenue, as they are often associated with that era.

At some point, Hamm recalled having a chat with the AMC executives. They asked, ‘Do they need to smoke?’ Hamm responded, essentially, ‘Are you serious? Yes, they must. They’re addicted to cigarettes. That’s part of their appeal and why they’re so popular!’

During the discussion, Hamm reflected on how significantly “Mad Men” impacted his life. “I embarked on it when I was 35 years old and continued until I turned 45,” he shared. “So it was a pivotal period in both my personal and professional journey. Many real-life events unfolded during this time – relationships began and ended, people welcomed new babies, got married, and went through divorces. It felt somewhat detached from these happenings because working on the show often felt like stepping into a time capsule.

He mentioned that if you could travel back in time and visit the film set, it was as perfect as a picture. Being dressed for the part, puffing on a fake cigarette while gazing out of a phony window at a mock-up of Midtown, it all felt authentic. It’s an immense honor to have been involved with something that has endured this long. I’m grateful to still be alive, given the number of cigarettes I smoked back then. The effort we put into it seems to match the love we’re receiving now, which is a rewarding feeling. So, it’s quite amazing to be here at this fantastic festival discussing something from a decade ago, and seeing so many people turn up just to hear about it.

Slattery found his “Mad Men” tenure remarkably similar to living another life. He stated, “It seemed like a mirrored existence.” During approximately six months out of the year, we would be engrossed in this work, and then we’d step away. For a couple of years there, we were quite certain that we would resume it again. Being amidst those talented writers, designers, and fellow actors, we cultivated an incredibly close bond with these individuals who were not part of our actual lives. However, the connection was just as real, demanding, and intricate as our real-life relationships. Yes, it was all fabricated, yet at the end of each day, we returned home. I believe that, to a great extent, we recognized its value right away.

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2025-06-01 21:17