When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.Had lunch with two great friends, also agents. After a lot of industry gossip, commiseration about the business being really slow (July is the new August), comparing and contrasting notes on editors, the conversation finally turned to something I could get my brain around: who we would rather sleep with, Jon Hamm from Madmen or Gabriel Byrne from In Treatment? Just for one night.
If you’ve ever even toyed with the idea of leaving a comment, please weigh in now:
Betsy Lerner 
Hmm, that’s a trick one. I think Gabriel Byrne would be more likely to snore…
Big fan of Mad Men, but haven’t seen In Treatment, so if you’re asking which character, I can’t choose. But just on looks, I’d say Byrne. His face has more character.
Okay, Paul, I’m with you on the snoring, good call, but, oh god, the soulfulness of Byrne’s face. One imagines actually moving the man in some way… Linda, may I recommend a little In Treatment viewing, particularly this past season.
On the other hand, not only is John Hamm to die for as a Mad Man, but he was SO adorable on 30Rock. The guy’s got the stone face AND the puppy face. Terrible, diabolical dilemma. If I can’t have both — I can’t help it, it’s the Irish in me: I have to go with the dark-and-brooding Gabriel (the name of the angel of death, let us recall) even if he does snore.
I don’t watch TV, but I do watch tons of movies. Gabriel…hands down.
Hamm.
Byrne if I’m tired, Hamm if I’m not.
Gabriel Byrne, because I bet he looks good in a cape. In Dublin, one cool dusky evening 24 years ago, a man walked past me on Grafton Street wearing a cape and looking all William Butler Yeatsish and I wanted to marry him. Every time I hear an Irish accent I wonder sadly what life would have been like, married to a man who looks good in a cape. John Hamm, however, looks like he’s the type of guy who, when he takes you trout fishing, packs a thermos of martinis. I could go for that, too.
Hamm. Twice, once for each “m”.
irresistible – I love them both, but Gabriel Byrne hands on 🙂
Cocktails and flirting with Don, the good stuff with Paul.
Frankly, I can’t believe what I’m reading. Gabriel Byrne?? I admit I have not watched his show but with Jon Hamm in the equation who cares who the other guy is???
I am pained to admit that I must qualify my statement with the stipulation that he sleep with me in character. Immediately after watching my first episode of Mad Men and transfixed with lust I feverishly searched the internet for Jon Hamm videos. Gosh – well… fantasy football appears to take up a great deal of his free time. Oh, and he seems very nice.
I guess I’m looking for something a little more merciless
In conclusion: Don Draper, I choose Don Draper.
And, thank you for proposing this dilemma. I had fun and I think I learned a little something about myself.