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'Mad Men' Season 5 set for 2012, negotiations with Matthew Weiner ongoing
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AMC has given the green light to Season 5 of "Mad Men," but because negotiations with creator Matthew Weiner on a new deal are still going on, it won't be on the air until early next year."AMC has officially authorized production of Season 5 of 'Mad Men,' triggering our option with Lionsgate ('Mad Men's' production company)," the network says in a statement. "While we are getting a later start than in years past due to ongoing, key non-cast negotiations, 'Mad Men' will be back for a fifth season in early 2012."
While there's been a lot of speculation that the fifth season would be pushed to next year -- past seasons have all begun in July or August -- AMC's statement is the first official word on the matter. We likely won't get a more specific premiere date, or a production start date, until those negotiations are done.
As previously reported, the protracted negotiations between Weiner, AMC and Lionsgate have hit a snag in recent days. AMC and Lionsgate have offered Weiner a reported $30 million to continue as "Mad Men's" showrunner for two more years, but in return have asked for a trim to the show's running time (by about two minutes per episode) and some concessions product integration.
There were also reports that AMC was looking to cut or reduce the workload of two cast members, but an insider tells Zap2it that the entire cast will return for Season 5.
As for running time, "Mad Men" averaged about 47 minutes without commercials last season. Trimming two minutes would still give it more storytelling time than most of the other shows on ad-supported cable and pretty much everything on the broadcast networks.
The product integration question concerns whether brands who pay to be part of the show can tout that fact. "Mad Men" has featured product placement since its first season, and while it's usually been pretty seamless and relevant to the story, brands haven't been able to publicize their presence on the show.
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Photo/Video credit: AMC
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This is rediculous. Who wants to wait that long for a show. It will be like starting over. All because of a bunch of greedy air heads. It was my fave show, but they ruined that. Hell don't even bother.
This really makes me angry. First AMC screws Breaking Bad fans by pushing that show back nearly six months. Now they do it again with Mad Men while simultaneously shortening the length of each episode. BS, AMC. Complete BS.
It's not AMC
It's Mattew Weiner
Come on 30 Million Dollars is not enough from a basic cable channel ?
AMC is NOT HBO !
The same thing happened with the Sopranos.
The audience came and then HBO had trouble with the creator of that show David Chase.
The show kept having delays between Seasons, missing an entire year and a half at one point. Sound familar.
It's about milking the network when you have a hit show.
But at some point it just gets ridiculous and people move on.
I'm ready to move on to the Walking Dead and Breaking Bad.
The last Season of Mad Men was not really all that great. That's why it didn't win any awards.
Laurel, this doesn't seem to be about the money as much as it is about cutting out more story time for ad time and forced integration.
I think the Article above made the point quite clearly that Mad Men has the luxury of 47 minutes per episode. Longer than ANY show on ad supported cable.
A 2 minute trim per episode should not be a BIG sticking point after Weiner got the 30 Million Dollar Raise.
Mad Men also currently does product placement and if you want to stick it to a Network for 30 Million then you have to allow them some chance to earn some money back. With in reason.
AMC only needs the additional ad time and product integration so that they can get enough revenue to pay Weiner.
Boooo!
Everything is about $$$! Make no mistake this is about greed and it is sooo disappointing. There is so much crap on TV so it is always a treat to find an exceptional program. I must admit, I have officially lost interest.
I am at home, at the kitchen table, a glazed ham in the oven, smoking a cigarette, and waiting for Season Five. Just as Betty had to wait for Don. And the longer it takes, the mood annoyed I become:)