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Creator Weiner wins some, loses some in ‘Mad Men’ fight
“Mad Men” is coming back to AMC, but not ‘til 2012. According to series creator Matthew Weiner, the far-off return date is not due to the contentious and protracted contract negotiations he just wrapped up with the cable network.
Weiner told Deadline.com that AMC informed him in October that its full slate of original programming meant the show could not return this summer as Weiner wanted.
Reports had pegged the negotiations’ sticking points as issues with cast members, episode length and product placement. AMC had reportedly asked Weiner to cut (or drastically reduce the presence of) two full-time cast members each year of the next three years.
It appears as though Weiner won that particular battle — although he said he reserves the right to cut cast members for dramatic purposes.
AMC also demanded that each episode be cut by 2 minutes, from 47 to 45 minutes in length. Let’s call that one a draw — Weiner will create 47-minute versions of all episodes, but only the first and last of each season will be broadcast on AMC. Weiner will deliver 45-minute versions of all other episodes to the network, with the original, full length versions being available through other outlets including iTunes and DVD.
Finally, Weiner seems to have won on the product placement point, too. He told Deadline.com that the series’ existing policy will not change. “I don’t want the audience to feel they are being sold on the show,” he said.
The contract puts Weiner in place for two more years, although Deadline.com says his 3-year deal with producer Lionsgate means that this is essentially a renewal through Season 7, which Weiner has said should be the series’ last.
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