Following AMC's decision to renew Mad Men earlier this week, today the network, along with the studio behind the series, Lionsgate, announced it will return for seasons five and six with its series creator Matthew Weiner definitively on board as showrunner. Weiner signed a long-term deal which will extend the hit period drama into a possible seventh season as well.
Did you really ever doubt him? Although, admittedly the chance for seven seasons being guaranteed so soon may come as a bit of a surprise after all that has gone down. No one can deny the fan power-- and the critical acclaim-- of the series, though, which have led to countless award nominations and quite a few wins.
“I want to thank all of our wonderful fans for their support," Weiner said in a statement to the press. "I also 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.”
The contract negotiations were drawn out previously because Weiner objected to the network's insistence that episodes be shortened in length and the cast cut down by two players every season. They also wanted to integrate more specific product placement to fit with the brand style.
According to the NY Times, who was apparently privy to information the general press wasn't in the official release sent by the network, "Cuts to the cast budget were not to be included in the contract with Weiner...but changes to the length of the episodes are possible. Weiner’s new contract specifies that the first and last episode of each season will remain 47 minutes long, the same length as the episodes in prior seasons. But for the episodes in between, [Weiner] has the option to turn in two versions, one at 47 minutes and one at 45 minutes. AMC could opt to broadcast the 45-minute version and save the 47-minute version for the video-on-demand and DVD windows."
As previously reported, Mad Men won't be back on television until 2012 due to a late production start, but we are eager to see what the new season(s) will hold once they do get here! Aren't you?
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