One of my biggest pet peeves is shows that cling on waaaaaaaaaaaaay too long, overstaying their welcome (Desperate Housewives!?). I can appreciate a show being taken off the air before things get strange (Nip/Tuck). So I understand the need to end ‘Mad Men‘ before it gets to that point. I’m just sad to see there IS an end date. I want it to go on forever – perfectly!

With the contentious, near-fatal contract negotiations between “Mad Men” creator/executive producer Matthew Weiner and AMC finally resulting in a new, three season contract, a timeline for the Emmy-winning show’s completion was set. It’s longer than Weiner originally envisioned, but the important part, star Jon Hamm says, is that the show will indeed end. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I think it should end. Everything should end. I was a big fan of ‘The Office’ over here because it ended,” he told the BBC in a new interview. And though the show is affording him his first opportunity to direct — he’ll helm the first episode of the fifth season, set to debut in January — he has no clue. at this point, what he’ll actually be directing.

“I don’t think they exist,” he said of the season five scripts. “The way Matthew writes the show is very organically. He starts when he starts and eventually there are scripts but I certainly haven’t seen them.”

In the meantime, Hamm can enjoy the trappings of his recent ascent to stardom. That includes visits to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner — and some laughs at the expense of Donald Trump.

“[Obama] was amazing. And I had kind of the best seat the house because I was sitting sort of right behind Donald Trump’s table,” Hamm said of his visit to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in a recent interview with Conan O’Brien. “And watching that dude who has no problem telling people what to do and giving people trouble, he didn’t take it very well. Laugh!”

So looks like three more seasons!

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Photos: INF

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!  Well this is a crummy way to start my day! First story I read this morning is the worst news possible! ‘Mad Men’ might be CANCELED!?

The “Mad Men” madness has reached a fevered pitch, and a terrible ending may be in the script.

The Emmy-winning show is the subject of a bloody battle between creator and executive producer Matthew Weiner and network honchos at AMC. The show has yet to be renewed for a fifth season, and the sides are far apart on a deal.

Money is the issue, Deadline and The Daily report, but it has nothing to do with Weiner’s contract; the two sides were close to agreeing on a two year, $30 million deal for the mind behind the acclaimed period drama. Instead, the struggle involves budgeting in other areas, namely advertising and even actors.

The two publications have sources indicating that AMC wants to cut two minutes from each episode, in favor of more commercials, as well as integrate product placement into the show. Given that it’s set in the 60′s, the kinds of brands that they could include — or at least their labeling — would prove interesting. No consumer electronics, for sure.

Additionally, the network wants to make a major change in the show’s DNA, by cutting two actors to cut costs. Neither of the actors has been revealed.

Predictably, Weiner has balked, and thus, no deal for season five has been made. The show’s actors have been busy doing other projects; star Jon Hamm appeared in the film “Sucker Punch,” released this weekend, while Christina Hendricks is filming a movie with Sarah Jessica Parker and January Jones will star in this summer’s “X-Men: First Class.”

They may have to find more acting jobs; The Daily says that the network could actually cancel the show. “Weiner is being completely screwed by AMC,” a source told the iPad-only paper. “No one would have heard of AMC if not for Matt Weiner and ‘Mad Men.’ But they will not renew the show unless he accedes to all their demands.”

That’s a change from January, when AMC announced that the show would be back despite the lack of contract. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly at the time, Weiner said, “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.”

I would seriously be so sad if this show didn’t come back. They need to figure this out! I can’t imagine them just leaving it as it was!!!

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‘Black Swan’ dominated the Independent Spirit Awards last night. Best film, best director and best actress all went to the psychological thriller. Is that an indication of how tonight’s Oscars are going to go?

Could Natalie Portman be any cuter?

According the the NY Mag, the awards ceremony was held on the beach – and everyone absolutely FROZE.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards, held in a beachside tent Saturday during unusually cold Santa Monica weather, were dominated by wins by Black Swan. And for all the travails the nominated filmmakers might have experienced on the path here (lack of funding, last-minute casting, no trailers to protect Nicole Kidman from the paparazzi, as Rabbit Hole director John Cameron Mitchell told us), these troubles seemed overshadowed by the day’s frigid wind. When asked how it felt to win the Best Director award, Black Swan’s Darren Aronofsky said, “F’in cold.” The weather got lots of mentions during the telecast, hosted by Joel McHale, and even more attention as the shivering winners made their way to the billowy press tent. It was so cold that Natalie Portman was seen sporting not one, but two jackets over her knee-length, summer-y dress during the show. “I’m from New York, so I was expecting to come here like, ‘It’s bikini time,’” said Lena Dunham, a winner for Best First Screenplay for Tiny Furniture. “It’s not bikini time.”

See the complete list of Independent Spirit Awards winners here!

Who’s excited for tonight!? I am!!

Pictured: Michelle Trachtenberg, Vera Fermiga, Dana Delany, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Heche and John Tupper, Melissa Leo, Kate Walsh, Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts, Mia Wasikowska, Mark Ruffalo, Erica Christensen, Eva Mendes, Greta Gerwig, Amanda Peet, Keri Washington, Deigo Luna, Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Rosario Dawson, Amber Tamblyn, Jon Hamm and Jeremy Renner.

Photos: Fame

Just last year ‘Mad Men’ was the critics favorite. This year, that hasn’t been the case, and ‘Boardwalk Empire’ is walking away with all the awards! Just like the Golden Globes, the ‘Mad Men’ ensemble left the SAG Awards empty handed – being overshadowed by ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and ‘The Good Wife’.

The AMC series was up for three drama awards — best series ensemble, best actor for Jon Hamm, and best actress for Elisabeth Moss. SAG voters followed the Golden Globes lead and opted for “Boardwalk Empire,” that show’s star Steve Buscemi, and “Good Wife” star Julianna Margulies, respectively.

“Mad Men” won SAG’s ensemble award the previous two years, but series creator Matthew Weiner was taking it all in stride after the ceremony.

“If you don’t like being at something like this (and not winning), you shouldn’t be in the business,” Weiner told The Hollywood Reporter. “We’re out of work right now, and I get to hang out with my family,” he added, referring to the cast. “This is my family.”

While the show has been renewed for a fifth season, Weiner recently said he doesn’t yet have a contract (AMC is still negotiating with Lionsgate, which produces the drama) — but he’s “not looking for a new job.”

“Mad Men” has failed to win any individual acting awards at either the SAG Awards or the Emmys, although Hamm did receive a Golden Globes statuette in 2008.

I have to agree, ‘Boardwalk’ was the better show last year. I’m not sure what was up with ‘Mad Men’ – but it was definitely off. I had a hard time with Don and Betty being divorced. I felt disconnected from the show (even though I LOVE it). I definitely think ‘Boardwalk’ was just plain better. What do you think? Agree with me?

What is Christina Hendricks wearing (below)? Pictured: Paz de La Huerta, Kelly Macdonald, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Jon Hamm and Julianna Margulies.

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Photos: Fame

We know that a new season of ‘Mad Men’ is coming – but what we don’t know is how long it’s going to be until we see it! According to NY Mag, creater Matthew Weiner hasn’t even begun writing season 5!

AMC has promised the world a fifth season of Mad Men, but the network is still negotiating with Lionsgate, which produces the drama. And with Matthew Weiner, whose contract expired. “I have every intention of making the show when they decide to work out their business with Lionsgate,” Weiner said yesterday. “I have said over and over that I want the show to go on and on until it has worn out its welcome and we can’t think of anything more for the characters to do. I’m not looking for a new job. I’m dying to go back to work, but the truth is I don’t know what their plans are. We have not started writing. I am not back at work. 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.”

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Mad Men star Jon Hamm isn’t ready to take the plunge just yet!

Recently, rumors started circulating, suggesting that Jon had asked girlfriend, Jennifer Westfeldt, to marry him. But don’t count on it! He says he wasn’t born with the “marriage chip”!

He said, “That rumor comes up every six months or so it seems. But if you hear anything different, you let me know.”

Us Weekly reports:

So what’s the hold-up? According to the actor, being in a successful longterm relationship isn’t always easy.

“Like anything else, you pay attention to it and work hard at it,” he explained.

Perhaps the actor has good reason to be cautious about settling down: he previously told Parade that both he and Westfeldt, 40, grew up in divorced households.

“I don’t have the marriage chip,” he said. “Jen is the love of my life, and we’ve already been together four times longer than my parents were married.”

He’s so hot, it’s good to know that I still have a chance! (Only kidding!)

Source, Fame Pictures