Jon Hamm: A Master of Whiskey and Intrigue
Between the sophisticated world of Mad Men and the delightfully chaotic Your Friends & Neighbors, no one embodies a man enjoying (or pretending to enjoy) a good drink quite like Jon Hamm. In Your Friends & Neighbors, the “scotch” is cleverly disguised as iced tea or water with caramel coloring, a testament to Hamm’s commitment to the role. But even that pales in comparison to his character’s preferred drink.
Hamm’s Apple TV character, Andrew Cooper, favors a luxurious aged scotch. However, even Coop wouldn’t trade it for the less refined spirits consumed during the midday hours at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. While the 1960s had its charm, the quality of the liquor, according to Hamm, left much to be desired.
The Whiskey Divide: Don Draper vs. Andrew Cooper
“Don Draper drank Canadian Club, which is sort of a bargain-basement blended rye,” Hamm revealed to The Hollywood Reporter. “Coop drinks Macallan 25, which is like $5,000 a bottle. I’ve had both of them — Macallan is much better.” It’s a sentiment many scotch enthusiasts would likely agree with. The difference in quality reflects a shift in taste and sophistication, mirroring the evolution of Hamm’s own career.
Macallan, a true Scottish single malt, boasts a rich history dating back to 1820, with its premium aged varieties gaining prominence in the 1980s. “Single malt was not popular in the ’60s,” Hamm notes, accurately pointing out that blended whiskeys like J&B and Johnny Walker dominated the market.
From Advertising Icon to Master Thief
Hamm’s career took a unique turn when Mercedes-Benz signed him as a spokesperson during Mad Men’s run. This crossover was a stroke of genius, allowing the actor to seamlessly transition his advertising prowess from the fictional world of Madison Avenue to real-world commercials. He brought the same confident tone and charisma to the Carousel pitch to the luxury car manufacturer.
The 15-year partnership prepared Hamm for his role in Your Friends & Neighbors, where he provides voiceover explainers for the stolen items. “It didn’t hurt!” Hamm admits with a laugh. “I very much loved doing it… I outlived quite a few CEOs and CMOs — it was a great, great run.” The experience honed his vocal delivery and instilled a confidence in his voice.
Showrunner Jonathan Tropper intentionally designed the voiceovers to feel like a pitch, but with an ironic twist. Hamm’s tagline for Mercedes-Benz, “The Best or Nothing,” ironically contrasts with Coop’s questionable life choices, potentially leading him to end up with nothing at all.
The Allure of a Life of Crime
Despite the inherent risks, Coop repeatedly chooses a life of burglary over returning to the legitimate world of hedge fund management. Hamm explains, “Like we as human beings, characters often make the wrong choice… or poor choices, because of, [shrugs], reasons.”
He continues, “The idea of going back to [the job that] actively fucked him out of a life and set him down this path to where he almost ended up in jail for the rest of his life was, I think, pretty loathsome to him. The idea of turning to a life of crime that’s marginally sustainable, if not unsustainable, was favorable to that.”
The Future of Fletch Remains Uncertain
Beyond Apple TV, Hamm’s 2022 film, Confess, Fletch, was a critical success and sparked hopes for a sequel. However, rights issues have stalled any further development. “Unfortunately, that gets into a difficulty with rights and all of this stuff,” Hamm explains. “It was owned by Miramax, and obviously they had some serious issues, and Paramount, which obviously is going through its [changes] at the moment.”
Despite the obstacles, Hamm remains passionate about the character. “As much as I loved it and I would love to make all of those books — I would make Fletches until I die — I think sadly, the IP is existing in kind of a limbo right now.” He jokingly urges fans to “Write your congressman!”
Hamm’s portrayal of Fletch has been widely praised, and he even had the opportunity to meet Chevy Chase, the original Fletch, who expressed his admiration for Hamm’s performance. “It was like, ‘Oh my god!’ And I gave him a big hug, and I told him how much I loved him — it was so great.”
For now, fans can look forward to a third season of Your Friends & Neighbors, which was renewed months ahead of its season-two premiere. Jon Hamm continues to captivate audiences with his talent and versatility, proving that he is a true force in the entertainment industry.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
