I love the show and can't wait for the new season!Variety: After months of negotiations, "Mad Men" creator and exec producer Matthew Weiner has cut a two-year deal with Lionsgate TV that will keep him at the helm of his Emmy-winning AMC drama.
Details of the pact were sketchy Friday, but it is said to cover Weiner's services on "Mad Men" for the show's third and fourth seasons as well as other TV development. It also includes a component for a feature project through Lionsgate.
Weiner's negotiations with Lionsgate became highly public last year after the showrunner let it be known that his contract on the show ran out after the second season, which wrapped in October.
Weiner sought a hefty pay raise for himself and in the show's budget after all of the pop culture buzz, kudos and critical acclaim the period drama has garnered.
Weiner in a statement said that "Mad Men" had been "a charmed experience" for him and credited AMC and Lionsgate as being "two companies who love taking risks and value creativity."
It's understood that AMC stepped up to help Lionsgate finance the seven-figure pact with Weiner. The talks were tense at times, as word spread that Weiner's reps were seeking an eight-figure deal and that Lionsgate was inquiring with talent agencies about the availablity of other showrunners.
Weiner nurtured "Mad Men," which he wrote as a spec, for seven years before it got a greenlight from AMC in 2006. Its third season is skedded to bow this summer, and now that Weiner's deal is set the writing staff is expected to go back to work immediately.
"It's a happy day," said Lionsgate TV prexy Kevin Beggs. "We're glad to have Matt back in the family. We look forward to next season and many more to come."
