Jon Hamm toasts the critics

What's the ultimate cocktail party? How about one with the entire cast of "Mad Men"? Right before heading out for a cast-only poker game, the actors and creator Matthew Weiner stopped by the TV Critics Press tour to talk about season five, which starts March 25 after a year of being off the air.

Minnesota-raised actors Rich Sommer and Vincent Kartheiser talked to me at length about the challenges of delivering the goods with such high expecations. I'll share the details in an article closer to the start of the season, but I will tell you that interest in Jon Hamm was so huge that reporters backed him up again the edge of the balcony, leading a few castmates to tease him that he might fall off. "I'm a 'Man on a Ledge,'" he quipped, referring to the upcoming feature film about, well, a man on a ledge. Since the Saturday night event was on the eve of the Golden Globes, I asked Weiner if it was kind of nice getting to sit out this round of awards shows. ("Mad Men" didn't air at a period where it qualified).

"I kind of miss it," Weiner said. "I always like seeing the movie stars."

Cast member Robert Morse, accompanied by his daughter, told me that he got a chance to see Daniel Radcliffe in "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." He originated the lead role decades ago. Morse, who was impressed by the "Harry Potter" star and got to chat with him backstage, said it was weird seeing the production from the audience, something he had never done before. "I kept thinking: I did THAT? I did THAT? Wow."

After the party, we headed to the Tournament of Roses mansion for a dinner being thrown by the Hallmark Channel. Writers get to sit at tables with talent for a four-course meal. I surveyed the landscape early and made sure to plop myself next to Valerie Harper and Jane Seymour. Both were extremely cordial in putting up with punchy sense of humor (it had been a long 10 days!). At one point, Harper said I should get my own show.

Only if you play my neighbor, Val.