We have become great fans of the series Mad Men and found out that individual episodes can be downloaded without commercials from the following site.

http://eztv.it/shows/172/mad-men/

The site is also good for just about any other US TV program such as SNL or 30 Rock.

http://eztv.it/shows/2/30-rock/

http://eztv.it/shows/241/saturday-night-live/

The files usually show up on the site a day or two after they have been shown in the US.

Mad Men is already showing on ZDFneo on Wednesdays and will be shown on on SF1 starting in August, 2011. But for those who can't wait www.eztv.it will let you see them earlier.

What got us interested in Mad Men was the Tagesanzeiger article in which Michel Bodmer, SF Redaktionsleiter for TV series, explains that the program was too "sophisticated" (anspruchsvoll) for the Swiss televison audience.

http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kultur/fernsehen/Zu-anspruchsvoll-fuer-Schweizer-Zuschauer/story/15168402

It is very slick and cleverly written, with some great casting thrown in. No wonder it won many critical prizes. But what amazes that most is how "Politically Uncorrect" the show is, with guys drinking, smoking and womanizing all day long and the women cooking, cleaning and trying to be attractive all day long.

...you forgot the bit about it being totally humourless and drawn out, but what do I know? I stick with Family Guy.

I got the downloads a couple of years ago, it paralyzed us for a bunch of weeks, it is addictive. It's been showing on Romande TV for past couple of weeks, so probably not too sophisticated for the local crowd . I don't think it would be, some bits really remind me certain local mindset...Overall, it's a cool eye candy.

Mad Men is definately not a comedy show but rather a shrewdly written and brilliantly filmed drama which, like all great dramas, unravels its compelling story slowly although with surprising unexpected twists along the way.

The gorgeous people, stylish clothing, well researched "period props" and great acting kept us riveted to the show. We saw all four season over the space of about 2 months and now are in withdrawl until the next season starts in July.

I think the eye candy is just a way to attract attention to actually make people go back and think...It's a great history insight. How catchy the whole esthetic thing is seems a little secondary, or rather, it's a vehicle, just like it used to be back then. I think my fav character is Peggy, besides I always loved the name.

You sound like you also inhale shows, hahaha...I actually have us switched to Bored to Death now, it's hilarious. The eye candy is there, but has a lot more lighthearted substance, fun.

Peggy is definately the "wild card" in that show. She doesn't fit into the standard mould and could be a real game changer later on.

I am curious to see if Don and Betty get back together. I can't imagine that Betty will forever remain the glamour girl turned bitter bitch.

We don't inhale shows since we and have two kids and not too much time to watch TV. But when we do watch, we like it to be worth it.

So it is mostly SNL, 30 Rock and Mad Men.

We have never seen Bored to Death, but www.eztv.it has it so we will check it out. Thanks for the tip.

American Dad and South Park for me fo sho. Torrents all the way.