Mad Men Boss Says Show's Fate Is "Unknowable"

Mad Men mastermind Matt Weiner says he is not signed for the next season and doesn't know whether the series will continue

By Kristin Dos Santos Jan 12, 2009 6:10 PMTags
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Before you Mad Men fans pop open any more bubbly to celebrate the show's big win at the Golden Globes, you should know: The future of the AMC hit is in danger, according to the show's mastermind, Matt Weiner, who is not signed on to continue with the series.

"I don't know anything about next season—I don't even know if it's happening," he told us ominously at the InStyle Golden Globes afterparty, adding that the show's fate right now is "unknowable."

OK, but Mad Men is one of the most lauded shows on television, not to mention a huge coup for AMC, and now a multiple Golden Globe winner, so it has to go on, right? What exactly is going on?

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

"You know me,  I'm very forthcoming," Weiner said when asked why negotiations have taken so long. "And I don't even know what to tell you. I don't know what to say…I've done everything I can. That's all I can tell you."

So when might it be sorted out? "I have no idea. I'm surprised we don't know already."

Funny, something tells me the fans are thinking the same thing.

Sources close to the series tell me negotiations reached a stalemate several weeks ago, but AMC and Weiner's reps are actively working to resolve the remaining issues (among them, not surprisingly, compensation) and get Weiner on board for at least two more seasons of the ultra-hip series.

Despite the stalemate, AMC president Charlie Collier announced at the TV Critics Assocation Press Tour last week that Mad Men will be coming back this summer for the third season—with or without Weiner.