No More 'Mad Men'? Weiner Not Sure

While AMC has publicly made it known that it wants another season of the critically acclaimed, genre-defining "Mad Men," the network has yet to close a deal with the series’ writer and creator, Matthew Weiner, and this week he proved more than happy to discuss the subject with the press.

Is AMC planning on moving on with the show without the (deservedly expensive) help of Weiner? Is the show's creator reaching out to the press as part of a negotiating ploy?

Weiner told Entertainment Weekly “I have every intention of making the show when they decide to work out their business with Lionsgate.  I can’t wait to come back to work. I have said over and over in public that I want the show to go on and on and on until it has worn out its welcome with viewers and we can’t think of anything more for the characters to do.

“I am not looking for a new job. I’m dying to go back to work. But the truth is I don’t even know what their plans are. We have not started writing. I am not back at work. My contract expired.  They are fighting over a very lucrative property, and who is going to pay for it to get made; it’s one of the biggest perils of success — everyone wants a piece of it now and they are fighting over who is gonna get the biggest chunk. “

“Then they will come to me because talent is last. It would be heartbreaking for me if they don’t work it out, horrifying really. It would be a shame for fans to never get to see what great stuff we have planned for Don and company.”

“Mad Men” finished up Season 4 on a strange note, marrying off Jon Hamm’s Don Draper to his newest secretary as he struggles to save Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, with the aid of Peggy Noonan (Elizabeth Moss) and a shockingly pregnant Joan (played by Christina Hendricks).

The show's audience ratings dwindled in 2010 compared to seasons past, but the series was one of the most widely DVR'ed shows on TV.

Weiner’s work on the final season won “Mad Men” its third Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television - Drama this week from the Producer's Guild of America, beating out “Dexter” and “Lost.”

While the show’s creator may not be working on anything else, the show’s stars have been keeping plenty busy. January Jones is slated to play the scantily-clad role of Emma Frost, a telepathic mutant, in the upcoming "X-Men," a thought that has fan boys around the world drooling with justifiable anticipation.

Christina Hendricks has been inspiring some superhero lust as well, with rumors she may be slated to play an exceptionally well-endowed version of "Wonder Woman."

Jon Hamm has also been keeping busy with key roles in Ben Affleck’s “The Town,” “Suckerpunch” and the next Judd Apatow film “Bridesmaids.”

Do you think “Mad Men” would be possible without Matthew Weiner? Should AMC pull the plug on the series? Our vote is a resounding “hell no” on both accounts. What do you think? Let us know on the Yidio Facebook page.