Watching the trailer for "Mad Men," AMC's original series about the ruthless business of advertising in the 1960s, reminds me of Good Night and Good Luck, set a few years later and shot in color. The cigarettes everywhere, the martini lunches and the slicked-back hair all recall an era far removed from today's digital world. But, much like Good Night and Good Luck, "Mad Men" isn't just a period piece. It's dealing with themes that still resonate today: how America gets sold — and who's doing the selling.

AMC isn't exactly known for its original series — its primary business is movies, from classics like The Godfather to more modern fare like Catwoman — but "Mad Men" could put it on the map. For a cable show on a network nobody associates with TV, it's gotten a tremendous amount of critical buzz, with some calling it the best new drama of the summer and even the best new series of the year. The show premieres tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern. To watch the preview, along with a short clip about the show's authenticity, read more