Watching the trailer for "Mad Men," [1] AMC's original series about the ruthless business of advertising in the 1960s, reminds me of Good Night and Good Luck, [2] 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 [3] and even the best new series of the year. [4] The show premieres tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern. To watch the preview, along with a short clip about the show's authenticity,