Is it me, or does it seem like AMC has absolutely zero leverage in this fight?
What are they threatening to take away from Weiner, the AMC marketing juggernaut? The dismal ratings numbers? The prospect of 'Who Killed Rosie Larsen?' as a lead in?
Hey, check me out. I'm a ghost.
To play devil's advocate a little here... it might be that AMC just can't afford to pay Weiner and Lionsgate what they're asking to be paid.Originally Posted by scamboogah
Could WE just pay? I would gladly pony up a couple hundred if it would get muh Mamenz back on the tv.
Eyes are the losers in the skies.
AMC is in better position this time then they've been in the past (and remember that negotiations were protracted between season 3 and 4 as well) because they have an even bigger popular hit in The Walking Dead and a equally critically acclaimed drama in Breaking Bad. Mad Men isn't the only game in town anymore, and that is what they are leveraging, I suspect.
I kind of hope things dissolve and HBO picks it up so I can see the new Mrs. Draper's boobies.
I think AMC has plenty of leverage. You can't make a show that expensive without a network. It may have launched the network as a cool network, but its not the only thing they have anymore. And its neither their biggest critical hit or their show with the biggest numbers.
AMC clearly wants Mad Men, but since this happens every year and this is the only show I've ever seen where one guy has this many contract problems, my bet is that they probably have some ground and Matthew Weiner or his agent are fighting for every inch. I don't think he's wrong since its so clearly his show. Anyway, the show will come back, but if it doesn't, 3 straight years of contract disputes with the same guy and I think AMC will have a leg to stand on saying this guy just asked for too much. And there are only so many places that will take the kind of chances that network is willing to take.
(edit: so should have previewed this post...i apologize for its redundantness)
Matt Weiner's last contract dispute was between seasons 2 and 3, and he signed a 2 year contract at that point. This year, the problem seems mainly between AMC and Lionsgate, not Weiner.
Signed,
Apparently a Contracts Nerd
Hey, Netflix is eager to get into the production game, and they have tons of cash... Maybe they should pick up Mad Men.
I am sure Netflix or HBO or Showtime or TNT would take the show in a minute, which is why it seems like the show will undoubtedly come back, its more just when it will come back.
Maybe they should start planning those two two-hour wrap-up movies now.
I was so excited to see this thread bumped after a long day of work. Once again, too much contract bullshit for such a well-loved (and well-watched) show. It's making me Mad, Men!
Ugh.
many tine tanies
Don't worry everyone, things have gotten worse!
No new episodes until 2012 (hopefully pre-apocalypse).
According to the article:
*grumble grumble*The two publications have sources indicating that AMC wants to cut two minutes from each episode, in favor of more commercials, as well as integrate product placement into the show.
Eyes are the losers in the skies.
The deadline.com article also says they want to cut two characters to save money.
Couldn't they just leave the show untouched, and charge Marlboro and Dewars a million per episode?
Hey, check me out. I'm a ghost.
This is the most stressing part of their agreement. While I'm sure it would make some good television to find out who gets cut, I'd rather them just shave off 2 minutes of Don Draper being silently pensive into the camera.
To me, they could sweep Faye and one of the Season 4 copywriters under the rug easily. No one I know is super attached to the new copywriters, and now that Don is engaged to Megan it would make sense for Faye to just slink away quietly out of awkwardness.
Eyes are the losers in the skies.
I would cut Betty and Sally (gross) in a heartbeat, but I think Sally (gross) is still important to Don's story still. Would Betty and Henry satisfy their bloodlust?
DaggerofChrist unmasked
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