Why HBO Max’s ‘Mad Men’ Vomit Scene Shows That ‘Remastered’ Doesn’t Always Mean ‘Improved’

Remastering classic TV shows can be tricky. When shows are updated for high definition, things don’t always go as planned. For example, a viral clip from I Love Lucy showed background actors looking so clear, they resembled strange Picasso paintings. It sparked discussions online about how technology can change our perception of beloved shows.

Back in the late ’90s, when Frasier was transitioning to HD, producers worried about the show’s decor. They feared it would look worn out in the new format. The thought of reworking sets was exhausting. At the time, nobody imagined how future technology would alter classic series.

Remastering works better for movies. Each frame can be carefully adjusted. But for long-running TV series like Seinfeld or The Simpsons, quality control gets messy. With hundreds of episodes, it’s easy for mistakes to slip through. Disney+ even added a feature to let viewers watch the first 20 seasons of The Simpsons in its original aspect ratio.

Recently, there was an odd error with Mad Men. Although the show was originally presented in HD, a scene mistakenly included elements from an earlier take. Reportedly, Lionsgate provided HBO Max with the wrong files. Thankfully, the correct versions should be uploaded soon.

Experts point out that as technology advances, some classics may not age well. A study from the Media and Communications Institute found that viewers prefer content that stays true to its original production style. Audiences often feel nostalgic about the look and feel of older shows.

In the end, remastering is a balancing act—between preserving the nostalgia and embracing new technology. While some mistakes may happen, it’s essential that creators and viewers find a way to appreciate both the past and the present.

For more insights on this topic, you can explore the Media and Communications Institute’s report.

Source link

hbo,tv,television,4k,the simpsons,mad men