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« Today's News: Our Take
Mad Men Writers Back in Business: "It's Excellent News," Says Star
Mad Men courtesy AMC
Thanks to an interim deal struck between the WGA and Lionsgate, writers for AMC's Mad Men and Showtime's Weeds are free to get back to work and start on scripts for Seasons 2 and 4, respectively. "This is excellent news for us," Rich Sommer (who plays Harry) told TV Guide at a Friday-night party celebrating the show's recent SAG, WGA and DGA nods. "It means that on Monday the writers' room opens. It was supposed to open Nov. 7, and now it’s opening Jan. 28. It means we’re going to be back before anyone else."
WGA West prez Patric M. Verrone issued a joint statement with his East Coast counterpart, Michael Winship, in response to the deal, saying, "Lionsgate... signing an interim agreement again confirms that it is possible for both writers to be compensated fairly and respectfully for their work and for companies to operate profitably."
Wondering how to celebrate such good news? Break out the cigarettes and scintillating copy. — Anna Dimond, with reporting by Julie Haire
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Jan 25, 2008 7:05 PM
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Excellent news! We've got to find out what Peggy did about the baby.
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Jan 25, 2008 8:40 PM
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I'm unclear. I thought Mad Men completed its first season and has been picked up for a second. Does this mean the second season could be cancelled midway through? Isn't that kind of unusual for a cable channel?
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Jan 25, 2008 9:43 PM
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I dont know why the article is saying season 2 is in jeopardy. We already finished season 1. We are waiting for season 2, which is scheduled for June. The show was picked up, no question about it. They won 2 golden globes for crying out loud!
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Jan 25, 2008 11:29 PM
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Re: the original story, which had Season 2 of Mad Men "in jeopardy": This news item has been edited for clarity, noting that the possibility of a SAG walkout come June could again interrupt the production process.
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Jan 26, 2008 7:07 AM
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If the WGA reaches an agreement by June 30th (5 months away!!) then there is no way SAG would go on strike. If the DGA and WGA have already set up a template for their deals it would be pointless for SAG to strke because they will receive a similar deal.
Anyways, AMC would air the episodes that they had already filmed because they would be the only scripted show on if that ends up being the case.
So this is really good news for Mad Men. Try being a little more optimistic TV Guide.
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Jan 26, 2008 10:24 AM
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Thanks for the edit, Matt. It all makes sense now. 
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Jan 26, 2008 10:48 AM
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Hey, I have a modest proposal.
Both "Mad Men" and "Weeds" are high quality shows. So let's convince the WGA to just continue to grant waivers only to well-written shows and then (no matter what happens) come up with reasons to continue the strike forever, so that the crummy dreck that the networks give us on a lot of shows is effectively barred forever. (I'm looking at you, "Bionic Woman").
That still leaves the problem of reality shows, of course, but it's a good first step: think how much better that would leave the t.v. landscape!
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Jan 26, 2008 12:13 PM
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AM SOOOO GLAD WRITERS WILL BE BACK AT WORK FOR "MAD MEN". I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SHOW AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW SEASON.
JAN MILLER
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Jan 26, 2008 1:48 PM
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As a certified Mad Fan, I'm so happy to hear this news. Here's to big wins for Jon Hamm and the Mad Men cast tomorrow at the SAG Awards.
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Jan 26, 2008 4:45 PM
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Both "Mad Men" and "Weeds" are high quality shows. So let's convince the WGA to just continue to grant waivers only to well-written shows and then (no matter what happens) come up with reasons to continue the strike forever, so that the crummy dreck that the networks give us on a lot of shows is effectively barred forever. (I'm looking at you, "Bionic Woman").
Good idea but who gets to decide what is "crummy dreck" and what isn't? You may dislike Bionic Woman but I was actually enjoying it. I also enjoy October Road but I know I'm in the minority on that one, too. I'm looking forward to Season 2 of Mad Men and I hope Burn Notice comes back on soon as well.
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Jan 26, 2008 10:14 PM
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If television were primarily an art form, we could have nothing but quality television 24 hours a day. It's primarily a business, so (sadly) if people are watching reality and the other garbage that's out there, that's what the networks and channels will program.
Besides, if we had nothing but great TV, when would we step away from the monitor and, like, have a life?
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Jan 26, 2008 11:13 PM
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If television were primarily an art form, we could have nothing but quality television 24 hours a day. It's primarily a business, so (sadly) if people are watching reality and the other garbage that's out there, that's what the networks and channels will program.
Besides, if we had nothing but great TV, when would we step away from the monitor and, like, have a life?
To me, reality tv is not garbage at all! It's entertaining and fast moving. There isn't one scripted show that I would waste my time watching. I say put on 100% reality tv on the networks and let the ratings speak for themselves.
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Jan 27, 2008 12:21 AM
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Well, there y'go. There has to be something for everyone. That's the point I was making.
If not for reality TV, I would have to have my groceries delivered by a personal shopper.
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Jan 27, 2008 12:25 AM
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Now all we need is Big Love and I won't even notice the strike.
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Jan 28, 2008 7:45 AM
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