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Jon Hamm feels lucky to be alive after smoking so many fake cigarettes on the set of 'Mad Men'.
The 54-year-old actor played chain-smoking advertising executive Don Draper in the hit TV drama between 2007 and 2015 - and Jon admits he feels grateful not to have experienced any negative effects after spending almost a decade puffing away on prop smokes.
During a panel discussion at the ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas, Jon explained: "When you’re in gear and smoking cigarette and looking out the fake window, the fake hanging part of Midtown, it was believable ...
"Obviously it’s a tremendous honor, and it’s a wonderful thing to have worked on and contribute to something that has lasted this long.
"I’m glad I’m still alive, basically because of the amount of cigarettes I smoked."
Jon also recalled a meeting with TV bosses before the show started filming in which they discussed whether the characters should be seen smoking onscreen.
He said: "I remember at some point, having a conversation with the executives at AMC. They said: ‘Do they have to smoke?’ That was like: 'Are you f****** kidding me? Yes, they literally have to. They’re addicted to cigarettes. It’s kind of why they’re sold. They’re super popular!'"
The fake cigarettes contained rose petals and marshmallow, but Jon was still wary of them.
He told the panel: "It was not [good for us]. Yeah, I think somebody did a count, and in the pilot alone, I smoked 75 cigarettes … They are fake cigarettes, but that just means that there’s no nicotine in them. It doesn’t mean you’re not burning something ...
"We didn’t go outside, which was awesome and not awesome. The whole thing, the whole stage is full of fake cigarette smoke."
He also revealed some of the younger castmembers attempted to film their smoking scenes using real cigarettes and they ended up regretting it within days.
Jon explained: "They were like: ‘We’re gonna smoke real cigarettes. We really want to, feel it and do it'. And I was like,: 'Let me know how that goes'.
"And within three days, they were yellow and sallow. This is a terrible idea."
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Cause of death revealed for Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan died on Thursday morning after a medical episode at his home in Florida, and reports have revealed the cause of death for the wrestling legend. According to audio from Pinellas County Fire and EMS that was obtained by TMZ, medical personnel were dispatched to Hogan’s home in Clearwater for a cardiac arrest at 9:51 a.m. Thursday. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was treated by first responders before being taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Hogan was 71. Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com was also told by sources that Hogan suffered a “massive cardiac arrest.” There had been rumors in recent months that Hogan underwent a significant heart procedure, though his representatives denied that. Longtime radio personality Bubba The Love Sponge Clem, who was once friends with Hogan, claimed on his radio show in June that Hulk was in the hospital dealing with some sort of life-threatening condition. A rep for Hogan said at the time that Hulk had been receiving medical treatment to address lingering neck and back issues but was doing well. Hogan was arguably the most famous professional wrestler of all time. His popularity in the 1980s led to the rapid growth of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), which is now known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. He was removed in 2015 over a scandal but reinstated again several years later. Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame a second time in 2020 as a member of the New World Order (NWO), which he joined in 1996 when he made a heel turn while wrestling in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). A six-time WWE Champion, Hogan remained a brand ambassador for the organization up until his death.
Charlotte Hornets Reportedly Release 24-Year-Old Guard
Damion Baugh spent his rookie season in the NBA playing for the Charlotte Hornets. The 24-year-old had averages of 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 32.3% from the field in 15 games. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Hornets will now waive Baugh. Via Scotto: "The Charlotte Hornets are waiving two-way player Damion Baugh, league sources told @hoopshype . Charlotte is waiving Baugh to clear a spot for the addition of Antonio Reeves on a two-way contract." ESPN's Shams Charania had first reported that the Hornets were signing Reeves. Via Charania: "The Charlotte Hornets are signing guard Antonio Reeves to a two-way NBA deal, sources tell ESPN. The 2024 Pelicans second-round pick averaged 6.9 points and 40% 3-point shooting in 44 games as a rookie last season."
5 Commanders oozing superstar swagger on forceful Day 2 of camp
The Washington Commanders are ramping things up at training camp. Head coach Dan Quinn is mentally and physically preparing his players not only for the new campaign but also for the introduction of the eagerly anticipated padded practices in the coming days. That's where things become much more physical. It's also a solid measuring stick for the coaching staff to assess what they have and what more might be needed for improvement. And considering the high stakes attached to Washington's fortunes in 2025, no half-measures will be given. A few players were kept out of the second session. Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and future Pro Football Hall of Fame edge rusher Von Miller both got vet days. The Commanders are also erring on the side of caution with wide receiver Noah Brown, who suffered an injury at Washington's mandatory minicamp and is slowly getting himself back into the groove. This trend will continue for other players as camp progresses. But for younger players or those fighting for roster spots, there are no days off and no margin for error. On this topic, here are five Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger on a fascinating second day of Washington's training camp. Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger on Day 2 of camp Ja'Corey Brooks - Commanders WR There is still no Terry McLaurin at training camp as the Washington Commanders continue to negotiate with his representatives over a new deal. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer before something gets rubber-stamped, but there's just no telling for sure. Until McLaurin is ready (or willing) to take his place on the practice field among his teammates, others will get the chance to shine. And one unheralded wideout is staking a strong claim for involvement over the first two days of camp. The fact that undrafted free agent Ja'Corey Brooks makes this list for the second-straight day is a testament to his phenomenal early contribution. He reportedly got plenty of work with the first-string offense on Day 2, according to those in attendance. Some impressive catches and another touchdown during team drills indicate he took full advantage. This is the best possible start from Brooks. He possesses some useful traits, despite not hearing his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft. Making noise in the receiver room will be challenging upon further examination of the available options. Even so, he's giving himself a fighting chance. Brooks is setting the tone and getting noticed. Everyone else must follow suit. Trey Amos - Commanders CB The Washington Commanders are looking strong at the cornerback position heading into the offseason. Adam Peters added two new faces to the squad, which bolstered a unit that already had Marshon Lattimore and Mike Sainristil. One of those was second-round pick Trey Amos, who is off to a good start at training camp. Amos had to wait longer than anticipated to hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Ole Miss standout had a first-round grade according to most analysts, but a back issue that came up during his medical assessments caused him to slide to No. 61 overall. That gave Amos some extra motivation to silence his doubters. The Commanders are giving him all he can handle early, and the defensive back is passing every test with flying colors so far. The Commanders are placing Amos as the starting option on the boundary opposite Lattimore. Veteran free-agent signing Jonathan Jones is also getting work with the first-string unit, but defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. is challenging the rookie to cement his status as a core part of the team's plans in 2025. Amos looks comfortable, aggressive, and ready to make an impression. If the same trend continues throughout camp, he'll have a big role in Week 1 against the New York Giants. Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DL Much has been made about the financial commitment given to Javon Kinlaw this offseason. The formidable defensive lineman hasn't reached the heights expected of a No. 14 overall selection just yet, but the Commanders believe there remains some untapped potential for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. to unlock. The Commanders placed a hefty wager on this scenario coming to fruition. Adam Peters, who was part of the brain trust in San Francisco that drafted Kinlaw, gave him a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. That was classed as a massive overpay, but the South Carolina product is working tirelessly to repay this faith. Kinlaw showed up to training camp looking a lot leaner. He's ready to fill the void left by Jonathan Allen, and there's a lot to like about his frame and explosiveness so far. It's early days, but fans should be encouraged by the way Kinlaw is applying himself. The Commanders want to move him around the line of scrimmage to exploit mismatches. Trimming down slightly and adding some extra muscle mass could be the spark that ignites him to much greater fortunes. The veteran has heard all the criticism, and he doesn't care. Kinlaw's confident in his abilities. He also knows that the Commanders have complete faith, which cannot be overstated. Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB While the focus has primarily centered on the new cornerback additions and the return to health of Marshon Lattimore, the Washington Commanders have a superstar in waiting who could become a genuine X-factor in 2025. Mike Sainristil already looks like a significant steal at No. 50 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The feisty cornerback initially started in the nickel but was forced into a boundary role when others didn't meet their billing. Most thought this would be challenging for the rookie, but he thrived. Now that the Commanders have Lattimore at full health, coupled with Trey Amos and Jonathan Jones on the outside, it should allow Sainristil to do what he does best. That, of course, is impacting proceedings from the slot. Those in attendance got the chance to see that in full effect on the second day of training camp. Sainristil went back into the nickel and immediately shone, breaking up two passes and picking up exactly where he left off. The Commanders have the luxury of moving Sainristil around, but the nickel is where he specializes. He's a willing contributor against the run, an explosive blitzer, and more than holds his own in coverage. And with a full year of NFL experience under his belt, the sky's the limit this time around. Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB It wasn't going to be long before Jayden Daniels made this list. But it's nothing more than the quarterback deserves after a clinical display on Day 2 of training camp, according to those watching from the sidelines. Daniels is a franchise-caliber presence. His extraordinary rookie surge took the league by storm and left Adam Peters urgently trying to build around the signal-caller in pursuit of maximizing his rookie contract. With an improved supporting cast, expectations have gone through the roof in Year 2 of his professional career. The former LSU standout is not settling. Daniels' fierce desire to be the best and his exceptional work ethic are driving him on. Teammates are coming along for the ride, which is only going to serve the Commanders well as they look to cement their status as a legitimate long-term contender. The level of comfort Daniels displays is outstanding. He's composed under center, knows the schematic demands fully, and trusts the offensive line in front of him. Two nice touchdown passes during scrimmages only lent additional weight to these claims. Everyone knows what Daniels can do. The Commanders will only go as far as the Heisman Trophy winner takes them this season and into the future. It's a responsibility he's taking seriously, even without his primary pass-catcher to depend upon right now. More Commanders news and analysis
Could a reunion be in the cards for Rangers HC and this defenseman?
New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury has enjoyed an excellent offseason thus far, ticking items off his ‘to do’ list with encouraging regularity. That said, there are still holes to fill on this Rangers team, like the bottom of the Rangers' defensive corps. Adam Fox is a star and Vladislav Gavrikov is a perfect acquisition, sorting out the top pairing. Will Borgen and Braden Schneider, health permitting, should form a solid second pairing. The third pairing, however, remains up in the air. On paper, Carson Soucy is an outstanding third pair D-man. He's big, nasty and responsible in his own end. Last season, though, he was horrible with both the Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks. Never the swiftest of movers, Soucy looked far older than his birth certificate (30) might suggest. He was caught out of position an alarming number of times and, given he provides zero offense, was a huge negative overall. Brought in to fix an ailing defense, Soucy instead poured kerosene onto the blaze. Scott Morrow is an intriguing prospect. Acquired in the K’Andre Miller deal to Carolina, the 22-year-old possesses good size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) and swift feet while being very offensive minded. Learning at the foot of Fox should only help Morrow’s development. That said, he’s currently a pronounced liability in his own end, prone to the sort of haziness and losses of concentration that saw Miller drive Rangers fans crazy. In time, he’ll be a good one, but the question remains: is that time now? No other option inspires a ton of confidence. Urho Vaakanainen? He’s … fine? Responsible enough defensively but provides little offense and doesn’t exactly own the defensive zone, either. Matthew Robertson, a former second-round pick, played the final two games of last season. Those are his only two games in the NHL. He’s big and can skate, but is 24 and simply could be destined to be an AHL/NHL swingman? E.J. Emery and Drew Fortescue are still far too green for the big leagues. Conner Mackey and Derrick Pouliot set precisely zero hearts racing. With a gap that requires filling, does new head coach Mike Sullivan look to his old team in Pittsburgh and seek a reunion with Matt Grzelcyk? The 31-year-old only played one season under Sullivan after a career spent in Boston, but that one season was clearly his best. His 40 points (one goal, 39 assists) was, by far, a career high, despite playing on a poor Penguins team. Sullivan clearly trusts Grzelyck, his 20:37 of average ice time was also a career high. Despite the lack of goals, Grzelyck is an accomplished power play conductor, his 15 assists last season tied for the team lead with Sidney Crosby. His breakout passing at 5-on-5 is eye-opening. At the same time, he is responsible defensively. He’s also a playoff veteran, with 66 games under his belt. Grzelyck’s agent, Matt Fish, recently told ESPN that his client is looking for ‘the best fit’ and that is where the Rangers may fall short. Would Grzelyck be happy on a second on third pairing? He won’t see PP1 minutes on a team with Fox, so would he be satisfied with quarterbacking the second power play? Of course, the bright lights in New York would mean that Grzelyck remains in the national conscious, no matter how the Rangers perform as a team. If he is looking to get one last decent deal, he could do worse than play in a major market. Grzelyck would be the bridge player that allows the Rangers to let Morrow marinate in the AHL for another season. If Sullivan isn’t happy with his in-house options, he might just lean on his relationship with Grzelyck to convince him to come to Broadway.
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