[pickarooney]

Originally Posted by Sad Professor

Weiner claims that AMC are trying to get him to give into their demands in exchange for a bigger paycheque.

That seems strange - aren't the changes supposed to save/make them money?

[Sad Professor]

Originally Posted by pickarooney

That seems strange - aren't the changes supposed to save/make them money?

Yeah, but the total amount that they could save/make as a result of these proposed changes is probably a lot more than what it would cost to buy him. I mean, less cast-members, more advertising revenue from shorter running time and product placement - it's almost certainly a lot more than the extra 5 million or whatever that they are offering him.

Or then again, he could be full of it.

[Dr. Nick]

Is series 4 starting again anywhere anytime soon?

[JP Liz V1]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/new...e-seasons.html

Mad Men has been renewed for a further two seasons, it has been confirmed.

It was reported earlier this week that the Emmy-winning drama would not return until 2012 because of ongoing discussions between AMC, Lionsgate TV and show creator Matthew Weiner.

Weiner later claimed that the network wanted to axe two cast members for financial reasons, as well as include greater product placement and cut the episodes' running time to make room for more adverts.

However, it has now been announced that talks between the parties have been resolved, and Weiner is to return as showrunner on the programme's fifth and sixth seasons.

In a statement, Weiner said: "I want to thank AMC and Lionsgate for agreeing to support the artistic freedom of myself, the cast and the crew so that we can continue to make the show exactly as we have from the beginning. I'm excited to get started on the next chapter of our story."

AMC president Charlie Collier added: "We've been proud to support this show from the day we read Matt's ground-breaking pilot script and have loved building it with Matt and Lionsgate into the cultural phenomenon it has become.

"For everyone involved in the show and its passionate fans, we are thrilled to announce that the series will continue on AMC under the exceptional vision of Matt Weiner."

Weiner has concurrently signed a long-term deal with Lionsgate, which includes the option of extending the show's run into a seventh season.

Due to the protracted negotiations, the next season of Mad Men is still not expected to air until next year.

[Sad Professor]

I'm not so sure about this. I was kinda hoping he would wrap it up with season 5. I don't want this to end up like The Sopranos.

[metrovelvet]

Originally Posted by Sad Professor

I'm not so sure about this. I was kinda hoping he would wrap it up with season 5. I don't want this to end up like The Sopranos.

I think it still has a good run ahead of it. Weiner was involved in the Sopranos too right?

Does anyone have any predictions for season 5?

I'm thinking Joanie never got an abortion and have the last laugh on the John Slattery guy [forgot the character's name].

Don will follow through with marrying Megan and then have an affair with Betty.

We are going to see more and more of Don's daughter.

[KerranJast]

Some important events that could be covered by the show if it goes to Season 7. Each season covers around a year of the 60s (or at least it has to date):

S5 - 1966: Race riots; Vietnam draft & protests; Brit invasion (Beatles, Rolling Stones etc); Reagan becomes Governor of California; Cigarette packet warnings;
S6 - 1967: Martin Luther King Jr leads antiwar & civil rights marches; Huge (~400k) antiwar march in NYC; Motown becomes huge; Summer of Love
S7 - 1968: Tet Offensive; MLK assassinated followed by riots; Bobby Kennedy assassinated; Richard Nixon elected president;

If it goes to 7 seasons they could probably do a timejump at some point to encompass 1969 too and finish the show at the turn of the decade.

[Dymo]

Originally Posted by metrovelvet

Does anyone have any predictions for season 5?

I'm thinking Joanie never got an abortion and have the last laugh on the John Slattery guy [forgot the character's name].

You haven't seen the last episode in season 4 have you?

[metrovelvet]

Originally Posted by Dymo

You haven't seen the last episode in season 4 have you?

I think I did. But I'm pretty sure I have early alzheimers. That was the california episode right? When Don proposes to Megan?

[Antar Bolaeisk]

Well that sucks

[johnny_ultimate]

Perhaps it will eventually provide diminishing returns, but I for one am delighted by the prospect of much more Mad Men. It's been getting better and better (technically speaking: from amazing to great and then back to amazing) and it's the only TV show I still find myself completely invested in, even with the wealth of great shows out there.

I'm curious about whether they'd go through with a big time jump to when Sally is older - there'd be some fascinating potential there.

[pickarooney]

Originally Posted by johnny_ultimate

Perhaps it will eventually provide diminishing returns, but I for one am delighted by the prospect of much more Mad Men. It's been getting better and better (technically speaking: from amazing to great and then back to amazing) and it's the only TV show I still find myself completely invested in, even with the wealth of great shows out there.

I'm curious about whether they'd go through with a big time jump to when Sally is older - there'd be some fascinating potential there.

With another actress? I hope not, she's brilliant.

[Sad Professor]

From what Weiner is saying it would seem that there will indeed be 3 more seasons of the show. Also, the broadcast running time is being cut from 47 to 45 minutes for more ads. The extra 2 minutes will supposedly be restored for the DVDs.

[pickarooney]

Originally Posted by Sad Professor

From what Weiner is saying it would seem that there will indeed be 3 more seasons of the show. Also, the broadcast running time is being cut from 47 to 45 minutes for more ads. The extra 2 minutes will supposedly be restored for the DVDs.

Well I would be inclined not to watch it at all on TV and wait for the DVDs in that case. So much for increased ad revenue.

[MagicMarker]

I lost interest in this not long after Sal left.

Are all the characters still a bunch of asshats?