No Don Draper until 2012: “Mad Men” officially on hold

They’ll be fewer skinny suits and whiskey-swilling execs on television this year, as it was announced Tuesday the hit show “Mad Men” won’t be returning until 2012.

“AMC has officially authorized production of season 5 of Mad Men, triggering our option with Lionsgate. While we are getting a later start than in years past due to ongoing, key non-cast negotiations, Mad Men will be back for a fifth season in early 2012,” the company said in a statement.

The announcement comes with rumours swirling that negotiations on a fifth season between AMC and the show’s creator, Matthew Weiner, were going downhill, and that the show may even be cancelled.

Reports say AMC and Lionsgate are demanding the following from Weiner:

  • Cut two minutes from each show to allow more time for commercials

  • Eliminate two regular cast members to save money

  • Incorporate product placement

The show normally begins filming in April for a summer premiere. AMC pays $2 million an episode.

Weiner is said to be looking for a deal that would pay him $15 million a season, or a little more than $1 million an episode. That would make him the highest paid creator on basic cable.

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