Matthew Weiner, 'Mad Men' cast really mad at the Emmys
September 21, 2008 | 9:28
pm
"Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner (at microphone in photo) caused gasps back in the press room when he answered a journalist's question about what it felt like being the first basic cable show ever to win best series.
"I'm surprised that there is such segregation and caste system at the Emmys," he said. "I have this amazing cast, and none of them was asked to present awards tonight."
Photo: Matthew Weiner and the cast of "Mad Men" accept their award for outstanding drama series during the 60th prime-time Emmy Awards. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
I too agree with Weiner. I mean c'mon Mad Men has the best cast in any series and none of them got ask to present. I mean there is Jon Hamm, John Slattery, January Jones, hell even Christina Hendricks would have been a knock out! But o'well they will be back next year, Season 2 is ten times better than season 1.
and hopefully the academy will nominated the ladies next year as well.
Posted by: Russen | September 24, 2008 at 06:13 AM
I think this show has engendered much jealousy in Hollywood. It's THAT good, and the usual suspects aren't in on it. Jon Hamm and other cast members don't play the game. Maybe they don't hate Bush enough - or don't show up at enough Obama events to make the cut. Who knows....
Posted by: Wendy | September 23, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Let Matthew be mad! It's what drove him to create "Mad Men" After listening to his interview on Teri Gros's "Fresh Air", my respect for him and the show went right through the roof. He's smart, literate, interested and interesting. How many writers that were creating a tv show that was in the top 10 would still be unsatisfied. Not many, I fear. Here's a guy that is striving for the highest common demoninator rather than the lowest. And aren't we the lucky benefactors of a smart, precise, well acted and interesting tv series.
It seems as though the cable networks, in their scramble to simply get programming, are the lucky recepients of these 'angry' writers. Well, that's just fine with me. Bring it on.
Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I don't think it's that big of a deal. The nominees and the winners are always going to be a bigger deal than the presenters. Matthew should just be happy with all of Mad Men's wins, and not whining about not having any presenters. It just makes him look ungrateful.
Posted by: kim | September 22, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Doug in Toronto,
I wish I were a significant other. Yum!
Go Mad Men! This is the first time in ten years I've watched the emmy awards and it was only to see them win.
Posted by: aileen | September 22, 2008 at 02:52 PM
This show won major Golden Globes last year but that ceremony did not air due to the strike. This year, it pulls multiple major noms and wins and still its cast can't get a break. The oversight is egregious and Weiner is absolutely correct, especially with non-talents like Lauren Conrad getting on-air time, and the lamest script in awards-giving history. LOST was also MIA on stage. Fire the writers and the producers of this debacle and NEVER EVER let the P-Oprah open the show again.
Posted by: Michaël | September 22, 2008 at 02:10 PM
To be a presenter don't you have to be a previous winner in some category? I did see Jon Hamm on the red carpet. Wish they could have had longer time at the end. The 5 'boys' wasted too much time on absolutely nothing for far too long. Next year please pick a good host.
Posted by: AnnR | September 22, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Hey Tom! This is a bit OT but does Elizabeth Moss get any distinction for being a cast member on two drama series that won best Emmy drama for their first season (West Wing in 2000 and MM in '08)?
Posted by: Andrew | September 22, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Maybe the idea was to have recognizible people present the awards. I've never seen this show, but I hear its audience consists mainly of cast, crew and their significant others.
Posted by: Doug in Toronto | September 22, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Mad Men fans were robbed. From about 20 minutes before the end of the show I felt like I had the tv on fast forward. The cast of the best drama series, Mad Men, had no time to talk. They literally had to run up on stage because the clock was ticking and Matt Weiner barely had enough time to turn around and thank his cast and writers. The Emmys production assistants dropped the ball. The show was a sham. But that's ok, now the world knows about Mad Men. It's been a cable secret; they'll be back next year. Maybe the Emmy people will see fit to spend less time on stupidity like the Jimmy Kimmel reality host bit and give the best drama cast more than 2 seconds to speak.
Posted by: caligal | September 22, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Which one was Lauren Conrad? And what are "The Hills?" I would have recognized someone from a show I watch, like "Mad Men." It was great to see the "Laugh-In" crew, but was that really Ruth Buzzi?
Posted by: dude | September 22, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Isn't that so true? They didn't even interview them on E's truly banal red carpet pre-show.
Posted by: David | September 22, 2008 at 08:53 AM
he should get over it. Nobody watches his show and nobody would know who the hell is presenting the award!
Posted by: gmyers | September 22, 2008 at 08:38 AM
That's Matt!! I've known him 19 years and he's as outspoken as ever. Of course he's right!!
Mad Men has been plugged for a year and a half-- and the Emmys didn't even ask Jon Hamm!! to present. At least.
Keep going Matt!! The crew of your first CNTV film is still in your corner.
Posted by: R. Joel Holbin | September 22, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Matthew is 100% correct.
How impressive it would have been to have Jon Hamm and January Jones present an award! They would have taken everyone's breath away with their glamour and presence!
Anne Marie
Posted by: Anne Marie | September 22, 2008 at 07:51 AM
He's right. One cue the Emmys could take from the Oscars would be having a couple nominees from each nominated series and some nominated actors present awards. It would be better than having nonrelevant people like Lauren Conrad presenting.
Posted by: Kelly | September 22, 2008 at 05:33 AM
He is absolutely right. His show had the most nominations of any drama. It was the favorite to win. And none of his cast presented?
Come to think of it, really, the series nominees were quite a bit underrepresented in the amount of presenters. I know Hugh Laurie was sick. But what about Michael Hall? ANYONE from LOST?? That is a hit show, previous Emmy winner, and is even on ABC, for crying out loud. (So no cable bias there.) Anyone from Entourage? Curb? Two and Half Men? The Office?
Hey, at least Weiner's show wasn't alone.
Posted by: Mindy | September 21, 2008 at 11:32 PM
He is 100% right. Will someone make The Hills culture go away please? Talk about the "dumbing" down of America...but then what else is new lately?
Posted by: Amy | September 21, 2008 at 11:27 PM
You bet he's right. Lauren Conrad presents a freakin award, but no one from Mad Men gets to. WTF?
Posted by: BuffyMars | September 21, 2008 at 10:50 PM
He's right.
Posted by: Ejay | September 21, 2008 at 10:03 PM