Negotiations between Mad Men creator/executive producer Matt Weiner and AMC and Lionsgate Television seemed close enough to expect the cable network’s signature show to lock a fifth season in time for AMC’s April upfront meetings with advertisers.
But, with just few deal points outstanding in the proposed blockbuster deal — which would pay Weiner close to $30 million over three years — word is that talks are suddenly on the rocks. Though Weiner is poised to become the highest-paid showrunner on basic cable, we hear that he is objecting to three things AMC/Lionsgate are asking for: integrating product placement into the series, cutting 2 minutes from each episode’s running time in favor of more commercials and 
eliminating/reducing two regular cast members to save money. Weiner is resisting all of the above. “This is their storied franchise, and they want it shorter and cheaper, with fewer actors and more product integration,” an insider said. “The negotiations are about to collapse as a result.” Reps for Lionsgate and AMC claim negotiations with Weiner’s reps continue. The delay in closing a new deal with Weiner has already pushed the scheduled production start on Season 5 and will lead to the Emmy-winning period drama missing its target summer premiere date.
Weiner was in a similar standoff with AMC over extra 2 minutes of commercial load on the show 2 years ago. Ultimately, the two sides agreed to let the episodes run over into the 11 PM hour so extra ad time could be added without having to shorten the scripts. Those defending losing two minutes of Mad Men to commercials point out that Mad Men‘s running time will still be longer than 90% of basic cable drama series.
NO.
The show is not that great…
NEXT!
Agree, and it’s not even watched by that many people. Certainly not enough to warrant $15 million a year over 2 years.
This is THE definition of a disqualifying statement.
Product placement and losing 2 characters? BS! Stick to your guns, Matt.
YES! The fact that this show even exists is a tribute to the people who have fought to find a model to keep it on the air. It’s ratings are low by any objective standard and its costs are huge…and it has been hand held to success by a lot of people besides (and with) Matt. He’s an ungrateful, selfish egoist who can and has drawn great characters and a beautiful story. He’s also burned a ton of writers and supposed partners who have helped him get there along the way. It’s just who he is. Those people can pick up the story now and run with it. Ask any of his reps over a drink and they’ll tell you he’s one of the nastiest, selfish, most insecure people around. Hell, why do you think HBO didn’t want to work with him again when Matt offered it to them first? Why do you think the script bounced around for 8 years before AMC? My guys say insecure Matt is going to talk himself out of his show by not partnering with anyone. Not sure how it’ll play out but if he does lose his show it’ll be Matt getting in the way of Matt yet again. Feel no sympathy. He’s a good writer and a bad co-writer, bad friend and, while I’m sure he’s behind this Nikki story– stirring up the actors to think that he’s fighting for them, Matt’s no fool — fact is, he’s only out for only himself not even looking out for the best interest of his own show. He only knows self-hatred and self-destruction.
If he’s such a bad friend/selfish/nasty person, why wouldn’t he just concede and get rid of 2 cast members. Obviously he looks after his own. Sorry if I don’t trust your unknown sources on the internet.
That’s why deadline is kind of a crock of shit. Anyone from all over the world can post a comment claiming anything or saying something bad about anyone. Making people register to post comments and being able to contact other members would make it a lot more credible.
I don’t know who your “sources” are but I know Matt personally and I would say that you are far off base. Yes, he has his insecurities, but who doesn’t? I have never seen him be anything but kind, generous, and respectful of those he works with. How easy it must be to attack those you know nothing about.
So how often do you clean his pool?
You are lying. No real representative of talent would talk this way about their client. I have worked with some awful people and asked their agents and lawyers who were friends of mine to tell me what they thought of their clients confidentially… the always defend their clients and keep it civil. No one would talk this way about clients, maybe an ex client,,, but then you have to consider sour grapes. Matt deserves everything he can get. AMC was nothing before mad men, and the reason great shows have come to them is because of Mad Men… so in essence, Mad Men is responsible for all revenues for all shows on AMC.
Best most original show on tv acting directing and writing is beyond compare! AMC should be SO GRATEFUL. I for one will boycott AMC if they do not compromise!
Maybe SOMEone who’ making the big bucks (all due respect) should take a cut and keep the actors who MADE THE SHOW A SUCCESS, the advertisers who are PAYING the high salaries, and product placement, which, in those days, was VERY INTERESTING and a segway into understanding how we all were duped into buying these products, which now cause so much pollution on our earth. Chew on THAT big fat cigar.
Segway is a powered two-wheeled scooter. You show your ignorance of show biz. Segue. And I’m a mere astrophysicist.
I am with you. Matt’s salary is way out of line and if he cares so much about the show, why not reduce it and give it to the other characters/actors and to keep commercials out for the sake of the show. He created it and should want to keep it the way he wants..but that may mean sacrifices on his part. Salaries in Hollywood are all out of line and I am sick and tired of commercials. I just dvr them anyway to zap through. I never watch them. In fact I may give up cable in favor of streaming and dvd’s. I can wait. Since they reduced seasons on some networks to only about 12-13 eps and in some cases only 8, I am fed up. Why pay for cable anymore just to get reality shows? not I.
Double no!! AMC needs to realize that Mad Men is a huge (if not the only) reason why people watch its channel. It’s certainly the only thing worth watching on AMC Canada. And the reason? It feels like an actual show geared towards intelligent fans, not a predictable and boring filler between too many commericals like so many other shows. If AMC wants to keep their live audiences and keep them from running to the internet to stream and download, AMC needs to respect them.
I’m assuming any products integrated would have to fit the time period. I see nothing but social commentary/satire potential with that.
I am reminded of when Larry Sanders made an innocuous joke at a potential sponsor’s expense: “Don’t make fun of the product, Larry.”
So, no Segways, then? Product placement… let’s see… how about gas for 20 cents a gallon? Del Monte catsup? Trying not to bore.
As much as I miss the show, it’s nice to see some real artistic integrity. Don’t mess with perfection!
And this is why suits suck.
What makes this show special is it’s purity, people’s dedication to their craft, and it comes from the soul.
Suits; leave it only and stop trying to fuck with artistic integrity.
And how do you expect them to pay for artistic integrity, jackass? This isn’t PBS.
Ad revenue. Foreign TV rights. DVD. Streaming. Syndication. Other ancillaries. AMC isn’t exactly losing money on this show.
Dolt.
I’m surprised AMC decided to give you access to their revenue numbers. You must be important. Dolt.
Sorry that should say leave it alone not leave it only.
Here’s an idea… Why doesn’t Matt Wiener shave off a bit of that $30 million paycheque so that he can keep the show the way he wants it…
You’re absolutely right. But it’s so much easier, as we’re seeing everywhere nowadays, to shave a bit off the working class in the way of jobs, benefits and salaries. When it comes to putting your money where your mouth is, these cats at the top are all the same, they’re all management.
Why the hell should he cut his salary to accomodate AMC or Lionsgate, who make a helluva lot more money than his $30 mil?? Weiner deserves every cent. And good for him for sticking to his guns.
“Here’s an idea… Why doesn’t Matt Wiener shave off a bit of that $30 million paycheque so that he can keep the show the way he wants it…”
Invalid argument. The revenue generated from product placement and two extra commercials for 24-26 episodes of two years would far surpass $30 million, so even if Weiner worked for free, that still wouldn’t make up the difference. Nice try, but this is AMC grubbing for more money at the expense of creativity, not Weiner.
Shaving some money of Weiner’s contract would be a drop in the bucket to the potential ad revenues from product placement (which how?)/2 extra minutes of ad time, but it would probably help keep those actors on as regulars…
uh HELLo.
Good for Mr. Weiner. Content over commercials. Glad to see there are still some committed filmmakers in the business.
Please fire this arrogant asshole and do the show without him it would be much better without Weiner. He’s a crazy egomaniac. The show will be just as successful without him, he’s no longer necessary there are a dozen writers who are all capable of writing it and their scripts will be better without his involvement. He has always been the problem so get rid of him. He no longer owns the show AMC does they just have to find the courage to terminate his contract and refuse to renew it. Tell him to go back to HBO.
Good one.
Calm down, hater. So they should sack the creator of the show because he wants to get paid for his success? While maintaining the show’s creative integrity?
And you have no idea how many people can effectively write this show, and Mad Men sure as hell wouldn’t be better without him.
Success? No one watched the damn thing.
Here are the priorities:
(1) the show must come first. Is it a solid hit or a niche-market success?
(2) is the show currently generating enough money to cover all existing contracts, obligations, expenses, and taxes?
(3) is there a surplus from (2) above? If so, those are the dollars that should be divvied up in the new contracts.
(4) is there room for hiking ad costs?
If there’s a “yes” to these questions, then what’s the problem?
Obviously someone is watching if Mark Wahlberg bought 5 min of time just to promo his new movie “the Fighter”..made me sick.
Also,they don’t pay writers 15 mil a year for a show that no one watches. It is very popular among a more intellectual group and lots of baby boomers who appreciate good writing and fabulous acting. Where have you been the last 4 years and if you don’t watch it, why are you reading this article and commenting on it. Your ignorance is showing.
You are an artless imbecile. You can just bring in some new showrunner and expect the show’s quality not to diminish. Weiner has a hand in the writing of almost every episode. To a large degree, he is the show.
Bed check, BEEEEEED CHECK!!! One of the inmates has escaped the asylum.
You want to get rid of the guy who has handcrafted each layer of the show and willing to split up his vision by other writers to stray from the story Mr. Weiner wants to tell?
I’m a fan because of his vision… not because of the production company and the ownership.
“it would be much better without Weiner”
It wouldn’t exist without Weiner. The show was 100% his idea, he wrote the pilot, and he has a hand (if not both) in every single episode that has ever been produced. The other writers on the show, while very talented, are following his vision. He IS Mad Men. Getting rid of Matt Weiner would be the same as getting rid of Don Draper as a character. It’s well established that he’s an arrogant a$shole, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t brilliant and amazing at what he does. What a clueless post.
I disagree. Mad Men is Matt Weiner’s show. There would be no Mad Men with out him. He created this world and all the characters, and while the other writers on the staff are brilliant and very talented, they are following Matt’s vision. Getting rid of him would be like getting rid of Don Draper as a character. An impossibility. Remember the huge dip in quality West Wing took after Sorkin left? Sure they could get someone to come in and probably do a decent job, but I’ve been spoiled by 4 seasons of AMAZING quality and don’t want to settle for less.
Looks like the Lane Pryce Astroturfer Bot is malfunctioning.
I remember when Sorkin left West Wing; it was never the same. He had a unique style and quick wit that couldn’t be duplicated and wasn’t, hence the end of the show shortly after his departure.
Is it just me, or is this like that scene in Broadcast News where the newsroom staff could be saved from layoffs if only Jack Nicholson’s news anchor would cut his ridiculous salary? I’m sure Weiner feels the pain of the actors who will be demoted…
I thought about that myself. AS I recall Jack’s character wouldn’t even consider reducing his salary, the selfish bastard that he was. I doubt Matt would either.
Does AMC own a piece of MAD MEN or do they just license it? Could Lionsgate find another network to agree to Weiner’s terms. Imagine Showtime, Netflix, Starz or even OWN would be willing to pony up.
Showtime, Netflix, and Starz are all horrible networks that have never produced one redeemable series. They would tamper with the show’s integrity even more than AMC is trying to.
Apparently it’s been a few years since you’ve flipped over to Showtime.
I’ll concede that Californication and Weeds are guilty pleasures of mine, but Dexter and this year’s new series Shameless are damn good. There’s a reason Michael C. Hall keeps getting Emmy and SAG Awards nominations.
You don’t think Party Down would be considered a redeemable series on the part of Starz? You don’t think “House of Cards” has the potential to be high quality TV on Netflix? You don’t think “The Tudors” on Showtime shared the same commitment to period realism and high quality acting that Mad Men has?
It’d be nice if you could post a list of redeemable series.
“You don’t think ‘The Tudors’ on Showtime shared the same commitment to period realism and high quality acting that Mad Men has?”
Uh, hell no. The Tudors could be escapist fun but it was so historically inaccurate in so many way that it makes yours statement laughable.
AMC sucks. Matt is impossible. It’s a great show. Get it together folks! We need more Mad Men. Plus it’s so much better than Boardwalk Empire, Walking Dead or Shameless.
How could you even put Shameless in the same category as those shows? Shouldn’t it be somewhere between Lose Cellulite for a Wedding and Bones?
Ditto on Shameless – which, save for Showtime’s hired flacks, would be widely seen for what it is – a sociopathic take on what family dysfunction is like…from the people who brought us Profiles of the Serial Killers…next up, a light-hearted look at the making of snuff films…
Honestly what kind of product placement can they do on a show that takes place in 1965-66?
It’s almost like they’re trimming the running time for syndication before it even goes into syndication.
Kinsey and Sal have already been cut from the cast.
AMC #fail
Season 4 had way too many characters and, as a result, the most interesting characters were diluted and shortchanged. January Jones all but disappeared. Even Slattery was given very little to do. A lot of mediorcre new characters were introduced – too many ad guys, diffucult to tell them apart. Overall, it was the weakest season and the show seemed in decline. The truth is, Mad Men needs reinventing, and maybe some smart person is trying to break it to Matt in a gentle way. Not sure about product placement though.
At least two companies, Canada Dry and BMW, have gotten into the spirit of linking their products from that period to the present with commercials that showcase their products’ long history. Both companies made entertaining ads that fit the feel of the show and were fun to watch.
Tailoring ads to the show is a far smarter choice than product placement, especially on a show like Mad Men.
Good for Matt, I didn’t know what the hell AMC was before “Mad Men”. Now because of it, I know what “The Walking Dead” is. They should bend over and thank him for putting them on the map.
AMC tools: It’s appointment TV, you idiots. Back up the Brinks truck, count your blessings and NEVER LET THE FANS OFF THE CRACK PIPE, you morons.
Basic cable shows have less program time than network shows, and network shows are under 42 minutes of story per hour. I blow through the ads on my DVR, but still feel it when episodes are short. And don’t forget that AMC is already showing Mad Men styled ads, semi-blurring the line between program and sponsor. Oh, and they also have a sponsor for Mad Men. Fer Christ’s sakes, this is the best show on TV right now (or at least one of the best). That’s me going beep beep to help the truck back up.
“According to industry insiders, if Mad Men’s running time is shortened by 2 minutes an episode, it will still be longer than 90% of basic cable drama series.”
But still shorter than 100 percent of all drama series just 10 years ago.
Good for Matt. Before we know it actors will be wearing jumpsuits like NASCAR drivers. Glad he’s taking the position he is.
Am I the only person who thinks this guy is a dickhead? Yes, he deserves a huge payday, but what about the risk Lionsgate and AMC took making this show in the first place? Grateful much?
The ones who should be grateful are AMC and Lionsgate. Mad Men put AMC on the map. Weiner gave Lionsgate a product to sell. They’re paying him dump truck full of money because they know this.
I agree with everything you said.
This is where ego gets in the way. 100% of nothing is not better than 90% of 10. I know this show is a critical darling, but if it’s not a moneymaker for the studio or network, I’m not sure how you just give in to the demands of Weiner. If this was HBO, it would be different.
Oh, the irony… “integrating product placement into the series, cutting 2 minutes from each episode’s running time in favor of more commercials…” we hope it’s not lost on Mr. “$30 Million” Weiner!
How hard could it be to creatively integrate ads into a show about advertising? They already prostitute themselves by integrating the show into most of the commercials! Might we suggest: Hair Club for Men.
(AMC, bring back Rubicon.)
Rubicon is the worst series AMC ever produced. Yes, even worse than The Walking Dead, all thanks to its ridiculous non-resolution in the finale.
It’s not as bad as Remember Wenn or The Lot. Oooh, snap, who remembers that Mad Men wasn’t AMC’s first original narrative show!
Rubicon was terrible…
And I know, cause I sat through all 12 episodes telling myself they were gonna get good.
If you want to kill Wil Travers here’s a hint– he works down the hallway from you. And lives alone.
Ay yi yi. Such poor execution.
bring it back!
Here here. Rubicon was smart and only got better. A gay badass covert operative, tension, high concept storyline. The alternative another crap movie rerun and an un watchable zombie series. I am at the point where I am not going to invest in serials unless there is a commitment to see these stories and characters through. AMC lost a lot of credibility with me. Letting mad men go dark would be final straw for me. Rubicon is sorely missed on Sundays.
Yes, AMC took a risk on the show. But they have made a ton of money off of the show, and stand to even moreso when it goes into syndication. The show runners demands have to do with keeping the quality of the show where it is, and he deserves what he wants. Even though he ratings aren’t great, mad men is a powerhouse when it comes to awards. HBO would kill to have it.
No, HBO would not kill to have it. They knew all about Matt which is why it sat around there for so long.
No no no no no. Take it to HBO or anywhere else, but cutting two minutes and the cast and sticking in MORE product placement (it’s about an ad firm! There are enough products!) should be absolutely unacceptable and enough for Weiner to say “F this, We’re going somewhere else”.
He doesn’t own it. He can’t “go somewhere else”
Yes. Just watched two movies from Sony (“The Other Guys” and “How Do You Know”) and was repeatedly yanked out of both movies by the flagrant and conspicuous flaunting of Sony laptops.
I mean, every single computer that exists in the universe is apparently made by Sony. Every laptop is kept open all the time with the Sony logo plainly visible. Characters literally pick up their laptops and carry them around with them with the Sony logo angled towards camera.
Seriously every time I see that crap it takes me out of the movie.
get over it
I love this show and really want it to continue but 3 people watch it compared to the ratings The Walking Dead pulled in. Sure its an award winning series but AMC has to make money of it somehow. This is why great shows get cancelled people. Just wait and see how The Killing opens on Sunday and we may have seen the end of Mad Men.
It’s Matt’s vision that attracts the viewers, not the suits at Lionsgate and AMC. The success of the show is what has earned him the right to say how the show should be done. If he’s being offered the kind of $$$ being bandied about, you can bet the suits are equally getting their fair share as well. As much as I love the show, I’d rather we have the four seasons worth of episodes we do have and go out on a high note, than settle for some watered down version no one is happy with. Note the third point eliminating two of the regular cast members. Which two do they get rid of? Offhand I’d say dump January Jones and Rich Sommers, as their characters aren’t that integral to the show at this point, but I can see a case being made to keep both, dependent upon the storylines for the upcoming season.
I am not a fan of Mr. Weiner, who just bugs, or Mad Men, but this sabre-rattling is hilarious! Plus, the show no longer has the awards this past season to claim as bragging rights for that kind of big time money. When perpetually-dissed Sons of Anarchy and upstart Boardwalk Empire brought home hardware but Mad Men did not, the show officially lost its shine.
Have weiner take a payout, 30m talk about greed