Two of AMC’s original programs could soon be looking for a new home. Mad Men producer Matthew Weiner said Tuesday the show can’t continue under its current financial model, following a report that big pay cuts are being sought for stars John Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks, and others.
“Mad Men should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current operating costs,” said AMC Networks president Ed Carroll. He said producers hope a deal can be reached.
The period drama is a fixture of AMC’s commitment to original programming, and critics consider it one of the best shows on television. But like many programs that have been on the air for a long time, the cost of making it has become prohibitive.
AMC reportedly loses money each year on new episodes, even those that include prominent product placement from Chevrolet, Ocean’s Spray, and Life cereal.
Slate reported Tuesday that producers are demanding a 55 percent pay cut from the five lead actors who reportedly make nearly $7 million each for a season. Representatives for the actors say they have offered to take a 30 percent pay in return for a portion of the show’s syndication revenue.
Contract issues cloud the future of another AMC drama. Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston’s contract with AMC runs through the end of the fifth season, scheduled to air this year. A sixth season may not be forthcoming, as Cranston and AMC have been unable to reach an agreement on his future earnings.
The contract negotiations have broken down over a $6 million discrepancy in terms. Reportedly, Cranston and his representatives want $25 million for another two seasons of Breaking Bad, while the cable network is only willing to pay $19 million. Insiders at AMC say the network is willing to renegotiate for a single season extension, making season 6 the last for Cranston’s drug-making science teacher.
Even at the lower $19 million figure, Cranston would be one of the highest-paid actors on television at over $750,000 an episode. The salary that he requested would net him over $1 million per episode over two years. According to Insider, the actor is tired of working in television after ten years on Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle, and wants to pursue work in film and Broadway. Cranston is currently set to play The General in the upcoming reboot of the Godzilla franchise.
Despite a downturn in ratings last year, Mad Men and Breaking Bad are still AMC’s highest-rated shows (ahead of The Walking Dead). June’s season finale of Mad Men scored 2.7 million viewers, a record for a Mad Men finale and nearly AMC’s best in more than a decade. Critical and audience reaction seems generally positive following the airing, which featured this year’s guest star Linda Cardellini. Meanwhile, the second half of Breaking Bad’s fifth season is set to debut on August 11th. Will this mark the end for these two critically-acclaimed dramas? The Shockuation Room will be keeping a close eye on the proceedings.
