As we reported last week, American Movie Classics made a deal to bring Mad Men back for a third season, even though they haven't managed to negotiate a new contract with writer-creator Matthew Weiner. But now it turns out that there's another little detail they sort of forgot about: the actors.
According to Fox entertainment journalist Roger Friedman, "the network has no agreements with [Emmy-nominated] stars Jon Hamm and John Slattery, or any of the other cast members."
What? Um, how the heck do they expect to make the show then?
Of course, Mad Men has one of the best ensemble casts on television, and any of the actors would be sorely missed if AMC couldn't cut a deal with them. But Friedman points out that Don Draper himself might be the most difficult to bring back. "Hamm in particular poses a problem since he's turned into a huge breakout star. If Mad Men ended right now, the 36-year-old actor could go to movies and easily become the next George Clooney. This puts AMC and [coproducer Lionsgate Pictures] in a strange position to renegotiate Hamm's contract. It's going to cost them more than they've probably ever paid for anything."
We mentioned before that doing the show without Weiner at the helm would be nearly impossible. Still, maybe the other writers could hack it -- the way Peggy managed to take over for Don on the show this week while he was off on his vision quest. But to do the show without Draper himself, the mighty -- and mighty conflicted -- lead character? What would be the point?
We're waiting to see what's going to happen with all this, but it doesn't look good. And with all the crapola on TV these days, the idea that a small cable channel couldn't be bothered to negotiate contracts for its showcase series -- one of the best dramas of the decade -- just kinda sucks.
Previously:
Oh Noes!! The Future of Mad Men May Be in Doubt
Mad Men: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly