Who knew that when The Sopranos vacated the airwaves that we'd be watching a show of equal caliber so quickly? At last night's Emmy Awards in L.A., AMC's Madison Avenue advertising series Mad Men made history as the first non-HBO cable show to win Outstanding Drama. After the win, creator Matthew Weiner and actor Jon Hamm, who plays the enigmatic Don Draper, gathered backstage to talk to the press at the post-Award press conference about winning the Emmy and how the recent success has changed their lives.

Interestingly enough, although Mad Men was recognized and honored for its outstanding quality, it was clear Matthew Weiner felt somewhat snubbed by the fact that none of his actors were invited to present an award.

What do you think it is about the show that’s resonated with so many people, and in places like Australia? And there’s also rumor that the Mad Men cast, some of you might be heading to Australia as well?

MATTHEW WEINER: I want to know about that. I don’t know about that - surfing or something. What is the appeal, the international appeal to the show? I think that this was a golden era for the United States and we exported our culture and our style and our way of life, and we look back on it fondly. But I also think it’s a human drama about the truth. I heard this amazing anecdote; someone told me that people fight a lot about watching the show together, couples, you know, ‘You watched it without me and you watched the Tivo,' or whatever. And now I’ve heard they don’t want to watch it together because they’re uncomfortable. I mean, I think it resonates with the human condition. And as long as you’re dealing with people on the planet, of which people in Australia are, it will be popular hopefully.

Is your story for Mad Men the inspiration for anyone with a spec script in their drawer, that it can grow into something like this?

WEINER: Yeah, I think so. I mean if you write something and it’s good, don’t give up on it. You should find out if it’s good or not. I mean I don’t want to open myself up to see everybody’s spec script, but I have to say that you do have to keep pushing for things. And if I had made the show eight years ago, I don’t know if it would’ve resonated like this. So I believe things happen in a way they’re supposed to happen. But yes, my God, I wrote part of it at the Beverly Hills Public Library. I wrote part of it at Starbucks, so I’m one of those people. I’m right next to you talking on my phone, drinking too much coffee and being irritating.

What do you think the significance of your show being the first basic cable series to win most Outstanding Drama?

WEINER: I think it’s amazing, I’m surprised there’s such a segregated and caste system at the Emmys I was unaware of it. I mean, I was surprised. I have this amazing cast and none of them were asked to present tonight. So I look at it and I thought it was about quality and we’re glad we were not prejudiced against for being on basic cable. I mean, it’s a great year for television. Most of these companies are giant conglomerates. It’s the same people who own broadcast own cable. I don’t know why there’s a distinction. What’s great for us is we’re happy to win and get noticed by our fellow artists.

Jon, this role has really taken off for you. How has Don Draper changed your life?

JON HAMM: For the better. You tend to get your phone calls returned a lot quicker now after something like this happens. But you’re right, it is a career changing role and it’s the thing you dream about. You dream about getting a chance to play something this rich and layered and varied and sad and funny and beautiful all at the same time. And, until recently, very rarely happens on television of any kind, broadcast or cable. So it’s been an amazing experience. It has continued to be an amazing experience to work with everybody up here and the second season was as fun to be a part of as the first. It’s mind blowing that this has happened, so I’m happy to be along for the ride.

Your character has single handedly managed to bring drinking, smoking, playing around and all sorts of bad habits into the workplace. Is there any of Jon Hamm in Don Draper?

HAMM: Well, I don’t know why you would ever say anything like that. This is the hilarious comedy jokes that I have. Is there anything of me in Don Draper? Sure, in the sense that any actor brings a certain percentage of themselves to any part that they play and that’s why we get into this. And that’s why we do this, because we have to express that bit of our personality that comes out in our work. But I don’t behave like Don behaves. So in that aspect, no, there really isn’t that much. But it is fun to dress up and smoke and drink in "fakeland". That part is really fun.

What’s it like for you now? Soon you’re going to be on the cover of People’s Sexiest Men... What’s that like? Are you getting shy about that or just a big head?

HAMM: Yes, I’m shy and I have a huge head. No, I think it’s like a lot of things in our business, it’s completely up to other people. I still feel like I’m in 10th grade and no one will talk to me at lunch. So it is what it is. And when all of that stuff comes along it of course feels nice and you feel happy. But it is ephemeral to say the least, so we’ll see.