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How Many People Have To Die To Make <em>Mad Men</em> Return?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 30, 2011
Modified Mar 30, 2011
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 30, 2011
Modified Mar 30, 2011
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Yesterday we learned that Don Draper & Co. would not be returning to our television screens until 2012—preferably early 2012 before the universe as we know it is annihilated. It would just be nice to go out knowing if Don Draper will ever truly love, ya know. Either way, Mad Men will return... but rumored contract negotiations have creator Matt Weiner getting paid the big bucks to kill off his own characters. Allegedly!
One rumored reason for the hold-up is that Weiner seems to be renegotiating his contract, and early reports are that he's being offered $30 million to write the show for a three year deal. (He previously stated the show would only run through a 6th season, so this could also mean a 7th season.) Yesterday Weiner told the NY Times, "All I want to do is continue to make my show, and make it in the way I want to, with the people I want to make it with." (At press time it is unclear if he was stomping his feet in a tantrum-fit while stating this.)
LOST writer Damon Lindelof Tweeted his thoughts about the rumored deal his peer was making, saying, "Not that I'm sour grapes, but TEN MILLION DOLLARS a year for 13 episodes of a single show seems pretty fair, no? #SOURGRAPES"
According to EW, another rumor going around is that Weiner wasn't asked to cut just two series regulars, he was asked to cut two a year for three years! We're gonna need a bigger lawn mower...
UPDATE: Weiner has now addressed the rumors, saying, "There’s been a lot of speculation and misinformation in the press about what is going on. I want the fans to know directly from me that I had nothing to do with this delay and it is not about money. I am fighting for the cast and for the show. And I appreciate the kindness and concern of the fans.”
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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