Todd VaziriDec 2
This is absolutely real. The current HBO Max version of this "Mad Men" episode "remastered for 4K" did not include an updated visual effects shot, which originally painted out the crew and equipment. Not just that, the HBO Max episode titles/order is jumbled for s01.
Show threadTodd VaziriDec 2
In addition, it seems like "Mad Men" season one titles/episodes are jumbled on HBO Max. The vomit scene is in "Red in the Face", but on HBO Max it's labeled "Babylon". (The one labeled "Red in the Face" is actually "5G", too.) Some interesting QC issues afoot.
Show threadTodd Vaziri
To be clear - "Mad Men" was originally mastered in HD in 16:9, so this isn't an issue of "exposing more film negative to fit a new aspect ratio", like "Friends" and "Seinfeld".
Dec 2 at 4:11pmIvory for Mac
Show threadTodd VaziriDec 2
live shot of me, wondering what other things got screwed up on this show, one of the most prestigious shows in the history of television
Show threadTodd VaziriDec 2
sorry but you know i had to do it
Show threadTodd VaziriDec 2
more in season two
Show threadTodd VaziriDec 2

made a quick blog post

http://fxrant.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-mad-men-in-4k-on-hbo-max-debacle.html

The "Mad Men" in 4K on HBO Max Debacle

Reader warning: there's gonna be a lot of pretend puke photos in this post. If you've fired up HBO Max recently, you've probably seen that o...

Show threadTodd VaziriDec 3

Put together a new comparison... from the very first scene of s01e01.

updated blog post: http://fxrant.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-mad-men-in-4k-on-hbo-max-debacle.html

Show threadTodd VaziriDec 3

I found another one. Modern Los Angeles hotel lobby signs removed... but are visible in the HBO Max version.

http://fxrant.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-mad-men-in-4k-on-hbo-max-debacle.html

Show threadTodd VaziriDec 4

update: it doesn't look like EVERY visual effects shot was missed. HBO Max includes a VFX shot in s01e04, which means that it's a sporadic issue, either on a per-shot or per-episode basis.

http://fxrant.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-mad-men-in-4k-on-hbo-max-debacle.html

Show threadTodd VaziriDec 4

update 12/4/25, 1:00pm PT: Looks like the puke has been cleaned up. This is how s01e07 looks right now on HBO Max.

Other examples in the blog post are still wrong on the service, but it's just a matter of time, it seems, before they're fixed.

http://fxrant.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-mad-men-in-4k-on-hbo-max-debacle.html

Show threadCM HarringtonDec 4

@tvaziri it’s so crazy that they’re making corrections ostensibly in ‘real time’.

The problem is it’s a bit gaslighting, although I am thankful for the corrections.

Show threadJohnOCFIIDec 4
@tvaziri Something tells me they will only fix items you’ve posted about…
Show threadManniDec 5
@tvaziri Congrats to the VFX crew for the quick turnaround on the 4K restoration footage 😂
Show threadVicente PerezDec 4
@tvaziri That is truly mind boggling. So many layers of mismanagement have to align to achieve such fumble.
Show threadlyonspawDec 4
@vpermar @tvaziri
There is a thread on the editors subreddit where one of the people who worked on this talked about what happened. TL:DR not enough time/people/budget
Show threadCraig HockenberryDec 3

@tvaziri It’s almost like you know what to look for in these shots…

😉

Show threadChris Mackay 🇨🇦Dec 3
@chockenberry @tvaziri Seriously. I watched that one through 7 or 8 times before spotting any difference. 😳
Show threadTodd VaziriDec 3
@chockenberry later today i'm just gonna look for establishing shots at real locations (exit signs, parking meters, antennas, etc.)
Show threadBram MeehanDec 4

@tvaziri Hm. Watched these on DVD way back in the day, and pretty sure never saw that definition screen?

Edit: feel like I would’ve remembered because that typography is just awful after the slick credits.

Show threadTodd VaziriDec 4
@BramMeehan ok
Show threadeukaraDec 2
@tvaziri NEAT!
Show threadxenonchromaticDec 3
@tvaziri @gruber I knew when they forced Plepler out, and the attitude of those who took over, this was where that path would lead.
Show threadGregVRDec 2
@tvaziri … HOW? How could this happen?!
Show threadaburtchDec 2
@tvaziri Reading your thread it feels like there was some kind of “VFX" layer that got omitted in the transfer. Or maybe instead of transferring the finals, they had the "Finals before VFX" transferred by accident.
Show threadNathan SnelgroveDec 2
@tvaziri I really like that physical media still exists for those of us who care about this sort of thing
Show threadScott WilliamsDec 2
@tvaziri can’t wait for Peggy to go into an Apple Store in season 4.
Show threadAdam GreenfieldDec 4
@tvaziri Even in-continuity, the typeface used for the neon PIZZA seems anachronistic by a decade or more. #weaponizedautism
Show threadErik (📚🧑🏻‍💻👾)Dec 2
@tvaziri The remaster is a quite literal win for the „NO CGI ITS ALL PRACTICAL” crowd! 😵‍💫🙈
Show threadJanne OjaniemiDec 2
@tvaziri
Show threadStuart GibsonDec 2
@tvaziri I mean, I guess we at least know they didn't just grab the Blu-Ray and run an automated upscale on it?
Show threadJack WellbornDec 2
@tvaziri Feels like and an issue of “we wanted to advertise 4K because it sounds good, but we didn’t actually value the work involved in making that happen.”