Breaking 'Mad': Final Season of 'Mad Men' to Be Split in Two, Airing in 2014 and 2015

If the past week has made one thing clear, it's that AMC isn't ready to let go of what made it a premiere network. First, the Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul got the greenlight. Yesterday, the network announced that it was working on a companion show to The Walking Dead. And now, on Tuesday, AMC revealed that the final season of Mad Men would expand to 14 episodes but be split over two years. Mad Men's seventh and final season was originally supposed to air in 2014, but will now carry over into 2015 too, following the model Breaking Bad has used to great success with its final season.

“This approach has worked well for many programs across multiple networks, and, most recently for us with Breaking Bad which attracted nearly double the number of viewers to its second half premiere than had watched any previous episode,” said AMC president Charlie Collier in a statement. “We are determined to bring Mad Men a similar showcase. In an era where high-end content is savored and analyzed, and catch-up time is used well to drive back to live events, we believe this is the best way to release the now 14 episodes than remain of this iconic series.” 

Added series creator/executive producer Matthew Weiner: “We plan to take advantage of this chance to have a more elaborate story told in two parts, which can resonate a little bit longer in the minds of our audience. The writers, cast and other artists welcome this unique manner of ending this unique experience.”

One second, I need to dig up what I said yesterday while discussing the Walking Dead spinoff.

Ah, here it is:

Considering the fact that [sequels, prequels and spinoffs have] become how the movie business works now, it's not a surprise TV is following that model. I hope AMC can continue to find original programming, though. Ozymandias, this past Sunday's episode of Breaking Bad, is arguably the greatest hour of scripted TV in history. Based on the reaction I saw to that episode, people aren't going to be over it quickly. If AMC focuses on Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead: The New Class, it needs to make sure it's still pushing for shows that have the potential to be something different.

On their own — Better Call Saul, The Walking Dead spinoff and Mad Men's split season — would be welcome pieces of AMC's plans for its post-Breaking Bad/Mad Men life. All three of them together? This is a sign of desperation. The Killing has been canceled (again). The only reason people watch Low Winter Sun is to see the 15-second Breaking Bad teaser. AMC is in trouble.

This isn't a plan. It's the panic button.