Grade: B-
Pan Am is the latest attempt to bring
Mad Men style 1960’s drama to broadcast networks & this time it is being brought to us by ABC. While earlier this week NBC crashed & burned with its attempt,
The Playboy Club, ABC’s
Pan Am seems to have struck the right chord by centering on something nostalgic but not reminding us every 30 seconds that it is set in the 1960’s. It also helps that
Pan Am is not trying to recreate
Mad Men scene-for-scene as it became evident with some internet memes. The premiere episode takes time to set up backstory for our characters & the company they work for which is more than just an international airline. ABC has always been known to have a somewhat lighter touch to its drama’s & it’s clear that care has been put into this shows story & not just in its setting. It’s time slot however does not make it the best thing to watch on Sunday nights however as premium cable put on some of their best shows in the same timeslot such as
Boardwalk Empire. If anything though,
Pan Am has earned its rite to be on the air & while it’s time slot does make it a show to pass on during its original air it can at least be given a watch online at a later time.
