Here's a breakdown:
* Period Drama: The show is set in the 1960s, and it meticulously recreates the fashion, music, and social norms of the era. The focus is on the changing social and cultural landscape of the time.
* Psychological Drama: The characters in Mad Men are complex and deeply flawed, and the show explores their inner conflicts and motivations in great detail. The series delves into the psychology of advertising, the societal pressures of the time, and the characters' personal struggles with identity, relationships, and morality.
* Soap Opera: The show features dramatic storylines, love affairs, betrayals, and complex family dynamics.
* Social Commentary: Mad Men critiques the materialism, sexism, and social conformity of the 1960s, raising questions about advertising's influence on society and the evolving roles of men and women.
While the show does not strictly fit into any one genre, it is ultimately a powerful and multifaceted drama that uses the setting of the 1960s to explore timeless themes of human nature and societal change.