AMC delays 'Mad Men' to 2012; we miss you Don Draper

Jon Hamm lovers will have to brace themselves for a dry spell this year now that the fifth season of "Mad Men" has been postponed to 2012.

Continuing contract negotiations between show creator Matthew Weiner and AMC have led to the delay of the 1960s-set drama and the absence of Don Draper in our lives.

"While we are getting a later start than in years past due to ongoing, key noncast negotiations, 'Mad Men' will be back for a fifth season in early 2012," the network said, according to Show Tracker.

A deal hasn't been brokered because the network wants to add more product placement to the product-heavy show, add more commercials by shaving two minutes off the total running time. (Translation: Even less Don Draper in our lives.)

One report said that negotiations could collapse because of AMC's demands. Weiner, who has won several Emmys for the series, is looking for a deal that will allow him to get $15 million a year -- or upwards of $1 million an episode -- putting him among the top-paid showrunners in basic cable. Talk about mad men...

But Weiner insists the delay is unrelated to monetary issues.

"I want the fans to know directly from me that I had nothing to do with this delay and it is not about money. I am fighting for the cast and for the show. And I appreciate the kindness and concern of the fans," he told "Mad Men" fan blog Basket of Kisses.

"First of all, the number that's been published is not true. Second of all, I offered to have less money, to save the cast, and to leave the show in the running time that it's supposed to be. The harder that I've fought for the show, the more money that they've offered me."

Tough life, eh?

In the meantime, the show's stars are working on various geek-friendly projects: You can catch Hamm now in Zack Snyder's "Sucker Punch" and John Slattery in "The Adjustment Bureau," both currently in theaters. Hamm will also appear (shirtless!) in Judd Apatow's "Bridesmaids" comedy with Kristin Wiig. He's also teaming with indie-filmmaker/girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt to make "Friends with Kids" and will again perform with Westfeldt in April in an L.A. Theatre Works radio theater production of Anton Chekhov's "The Three Sisters."

Christina Hendricks will star in the action flick "Drive" this spring and has just signed on for the film "Seconds of Pleasure" with Brendan Fraser, Julia Stiles, Matt Dillon and Kristen Scott Thomas. January Jones will appear in this summer's highly-anticipated "X-Men: First Class." Elisabeth Moss will star in Walter Salles' adaptation of "On the Road" and is appearing in London in the West End production of "The Children's Hour" alongside Keira Knightley.

And if these alternatives don't strike your retro-drama fancy, click on the gallery above for more alternatives for your "Mad Men"-less summer.

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-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com / NardineSaad

Photos, from top: Jon Hamm as Don Draper in "Mad Men"; January Jones in "X-Men: First Class." Credits: AMC; Murray Close / Fox

'Sucker Punch' movie premiere: Abbie Cornish, Jon Hamm, Vanessa Hudgens jab the black carpet

This post has been corrected. See the note below for details.

The stars of Zack Snyder's estrogen-infused, sci-fi action flick "Sucker Punch" walked the black carpet Wednesday for the ultra-glam premiere of the film starring Abbie Cornish, Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens and Jon Hamm.

Snyder, who also directed "Watchmen" and "300," attended the premiere with his leading ladies and gentleman at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Australian actress Browning  is Baby Doll, a girl who loses her loved ones and gets locked away by her stepfather (Gerard Plunkett) in a Vermont insane asylum -- and is then tasked by wise man Scott Glenn with finding five items she needs to be set free. Plunkett and Glenn did not attend the premiere.

Hamm plays High Roller, a different type of mad man.

The leading ladies in the asylum -- and walking the carpet -- with Browning include Cornish, who plays Sweet Pea; Jena Malone, who plays Sweet Pea's sister Rocket; and "Grown Ups" nanny Jamie Chung, cast as Amber.

Hudgens, who built her fame on the "High School Musical" empire and plays Blondie (a brunet), stepped out with her costars at the premiere. Click the pics for more photos from the event.

Carla Gugino plays Polish psychotherapist Dr. Vera Gorski, who offers up striptease as a cure, in the Warner Bros. film. 

Diane Lane, who will play Martha Kent in Snyder's upcoming film, "Superman: Man of Steel," joined Malin Akerman at the premiere. Akerman previously starred in Snyder's "Watchmen." 

"Scream 4" star Emma Roberts and newly single singer Joe Jonas also hit the black carpet.

The film sucker punches its way into theaters March 25.

For the record, 4:45 p.m. March 24: This post originally said "Sucker Punch" revolves around the Sweet Pea character, played by Abbie Cornish. Emily Browning's Baby Doll is in fact the main character; the post has been revised to reflect that. Thanks to commenter @Reila Scott for flagging the gaffe.

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-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com / NardineSaad

Upper photo: From left, Carla Gugino, Jena Malone and Abbie Cornish, producer Deborah Snyder, director Zach Snyder, and actresses Emily Browning, Jamie Chung and Vanessa Hudgens pose at the premiere of their film, "Sucker Punch," on Wednesday. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press

Lower photo: Jon Hamm at the "Sucker Punch" premiere.  Credit: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

SAG Awards: Jon Hamm, Judah Friedlander are slick dudes

Hair slicked back with what appeared to be a bucket of glossy product, "Mad Men" star and nominee for male actor in a drama Jon Hamm displayed what looks suspiciously like a ducktail at the back of his head on the SAG Awards red carpet Sunday in L.A.

The very clean-cut Don Draper would certainly not approve, but Hamm's fans certainly did -- he signed more autographs than anyone else on the carpet before them.

Meanwhile, Judah Friedlander of "30 Rock" sauntered down the red carpet, clearly comfortable after years of ensemble-nominated sitcom killing it on TV.

Wearing a black baseball cap with some bling punctuating the word "expecting," well, what exactly was he expecting?

"To have a party" Friedlander said with confidence.

The New York-based comic, who also performs standup around L.A., is the author of a relatively new book, "How to Beat Up Anybody."

It came out a few months ago, and he says he's especially proud of it.

Click the pics or the links below for more photos from the SAG Awards red carpet.

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-- Jessica Gelt and Deborah Vankin

Top photo: Harry Shum Jr. of "Glee" and Judah Friedlander of "30 Rock" on the SAG Awards red carpet. Credit: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

Left photo: Jon Hamm at the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Credit: Lucas Jackson / Reuters

Andrew Garfield, Mila Kunis hit W's A-list Golden Globes party after Critics' Choice Awards

With every awards weekend there's usually one party that rivals the actual event in groundswell, glamour and amazing attendance -- and W magazine hosted that party Friday evening, ahead of the 2011 Golden Globe Awards.

On the night of the Critics' Choice Awards an embarrassment of film and television stars came out to celebrate the mag's "Best Performances" issue, which features cover girl Rooney Mara.

 

Where to begin? How about with the ride up to the Chateau Marmont penthouse, where we crammed in the vintage (to be kind) elevator with Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Annette Bening and Warren Beatty. Yeah.

Mr. and Mrs. Cruise were in good spirits, complimenting Bening on her dress before making their way into the penthouse sitting room. Holmes chatted up a chic Julianne Moore while Amy Adams hit the bar with a female friend.

"Black Swan" babe Mila Kunis surfaced, having changed out of the Nina Ricci cocktail dress she donned for the Critics' Choice gig and into a more casual top and leggings. Out on the patio, Emma Roberts circulated amongst Olivia Wilde, Kevin Spacey and Robert Duvall.

With his "The Social Network" named best picture at the Critics' Choice Awards, Andrew Garfield stuck close to his date, Shannon Woodward, people-watching the likes of a solo Gavin Rossdale, a stunning Amber Valetta, Melissa Leo, Helena Bonham Carter, Mark Ruffalo, Armie Hammer, Jessica Chastain and Juliette Lewis. 

Jon Hamm hit the party sans Jennifer Westfeldt, but found solace with Quentin Tarantino. The men chatted near a sofa containing Jenna Jameson and Tito Ortiz. 

Better late than never were Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson, who arrived just in time for the evening's nightcap, when the staff of W gifted director David Fincher with a giant framed print of the Rooney Mara cover -- the actress styled for the first time as Lisbeth Salander, the character she'll play in Fincher's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." 

Sound like a decent hang? Tell us your thoughts in comments -- and click the pics to see more photos from an extremely starry red carpet.

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photos, from top: "Black Swan" actress Mila Kunis arrives at W magazine's Golden Globe Awards party; "The King's Speech" actor Colin Firth and his wife, Livia Giuggioli, arrive; Shannon Woodward and "The Social Network" star Andrew Garfield arrive at the Chateau Marmont. Credits: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images; Alexandra Wyman / Getty Images; Jason Redmond / Associated Press

 

Michael C. Hall divorce has him alone among fellow Golden Globe nominees

The Michael C. Hall divorce plans announced just ahead of the "Dexter" actor's Golden Globe nomination Tuesday finds him the lone nominee in his category without a long-term partner lined up to walk the red carpet.

"Boardwalk Empire" star Steve Buscemi has been married to Jo Andres since 1987. They have a son, Lucian, born in 1990.

Bryan Cranston of "Breaking Bad" met second wife Robin Dearden when she made an appearance on his 1984-87 show "Airwolf." Daughter Taylor was born in 1993.

Hugh Laurie has been married to Jo Green since 1989, with sons Charlie and Bill born in 1988 and '89 and a daughter, Rebecca, arriving in 1993.

And though his "Mad Men" character is gearing up for a second trip to the altar, Jon Hamm has never been married, though he and actress Jennifer Westfeldt have been together for more than a decade.

"I don't have the marriage chip," Hamm told Parade in July.

Hall and Jennifer Carpenter, his wife of two years, play brother and sister on the Showtime series. He was nominated Tuesday for best television actor in a drama, the category he won in 2010. Reps confirmed their plan to split, saying the two have been "separated for some time."

Hall rallied against cancer last year to take home his trophy; comparatively, divorce should be a breeze.

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— Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Michael C. Hall with his Golden Globe for best performance by an actor in a television drama on Jan. 17, 2010. Hall wore the hat because he'd recently undergone treatment for lymphoma. Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times.

 

Ben Affleck brings 'The Town' premiere home to Fenway

Now here's something you don't see every day: a shiny new Hollywood movie premiering in a classic American ballpark. Fenway Park, to be specific, because the movie is "The Town," and director-co-writer-star Ben Affleck shot that puppy in Boston, his not-quite-hometown.

Also taking the field for "The Town" team: Blake Lively, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner, Chris Cooper and Jon Hamm, with Jennifer Westfeldt of course. Still, this is not a baseball movie -- it's about four bank robbers from the city's Charlestown neighborhood who have crime-fighters hot on their heels.

The film was shown on a giant screen placed on the third-base dugout, the Boston Globe said, with 1,770 fans in the stands cheering some of the movie's familiar landmarks, and 500 or so invited to a VIP after-party on site. Childhood pal Matt Damon brought his dad Kent -- both of them in Red Sox caps -- and Penn Badgley, whose "Easy A" premiered in L.A. on Monday, showed up for girlfriend Lively's big night. (Click the picture of Damon at right to launch a photo gallery of red carpet arrivals.)

Renner chatted with WBZ News about the "terrifying" local accent. Said the guy whose ...

Seems like everyone who's anyone is hitting the Toronto International Film Festival

With dozens of premieres, screenings and Q&A sessions, plus parties to match, is there really a good reason for an actor not to attend the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival?

Makes sense that Hollywood -- and by that we mean East Coast, West Coast and overseas "Hollywood" -- is out in force up north through Sunday, at the event that began Thursday.

Matt Damon and Bryce Dallas Howard showed up for a gala screening of Clint Eastwood's supernatural thriller "Hereafter," and Ryan Reynolds did press for his flick "Buried," a thriller set in Iraq that also screened at Sundance.

"Slumdog Millionaire" couple Freida Pinto and Dev Patel hit the screening of "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger," Woody Allen's flick featuring Pinto along with Anthony Hopkins. "Rabbit Hole" star Nicole Kidman was escorted to that film's premiere by husband Keith Urban, and Hilary Swank, Minnie Driver and Sam Rockwell promoted "Conviction."

Fresh off world premieres in Venice, Natalie Portman showed up for "Black Swan," and Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner and Jon Hamm again represented "The Town," joined this time by costar Blake Lively. And of course the shy and retiring James Franco has been making news along with "127 Hours," which ...

Jon Hamm ponders 'Twilight' kids, Miley Cyrus

Good looks, great style and an appreciation for Robert Pattinson — what's not to love about Jon Hamm?

The "Mad Men" actor sat down with the new issue of Details magazine and discussed his overnight stardom from playing ad exec Don Draper and why he's grateful his popularity boom came so late in life.

"I don’t know how the 'Twilight' kids or Miley Cyrus handle it. You make one bad decision and people in Thailand Twitter about it," he said.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves — while Hamm can respect the pressure that young stars endure, he's into making fare for grown-ups.

"It's almost like an old Hollywood movie," he said of his new flick, "The Town."

"It’s got a love story, it’s got a crime element, but it’s very much for adults ... it just deals with [adults] — no werewolves, no vampires. Yet ... they’re retooling it for 3-D.”

Jon Hamm hits 'The Town' premiere at Venice Film Fest

Jon Hamm surfaced at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday evening for the premiere of his flick "The Town." 

It costars Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner and Blake Lively. Not that you noticed, because it's Jon Hamm in a tux. 

You're welcome.

-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

P.S. Click the pic of Renner and Affleck at right to launch a gallery of pictures from the Venice Film Festival.

Top photos: Jon Hamm rocks a classic black tux at "The Town" premiere in Venice on Wednesday. Credits: Alberto Pizzoli / Getty Images, left; Andreas Rentz / Getty Images, right

Photo at right: Jeremy Renner, left, and Ben Affleck sign autographs Wednesday at the Venice Film Festival. Credit: Alberto Pizzoli / Getty Images

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TV salaries: Jeffrey Donovan should buy Jon Hamm a beer

Attention aspiring television celebrities: Syndication pays, and it's good to be Oprah Winfrey.

If the numbers on TV Guide's annual list of the small screen's top earners are accurate, it's more lucrative to be funny than to be dramatic -- and news anchors and chat-show hosts stand to get much richer than anyone wasting time memorizing words off a script.

Then there's Oprah, who at an estimated $315 million a year should just go get a list of her own, and stop hurting all the other TV kids' feelings.

Unlike Forbes, which fully explains the methodology used to compile its various power and salary lists, TV Guide has chosen a "just trust us" approach as it delivers this ranking, making us wonder if a few salary numbers might have been gleaned from, say, actors' Internet dating profiles. (Perhaps that's the out for the producers of "The Big Bang Theory" when Jim Parsons demands to know why he's reportedly making a third less per episode than costars Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki?)

So, taking the numbers at face value, we have a few observations: For example, if Jon Hamm and Jeffrey Donovan were to go out to dinner, we think the "Burn Notice" star should grab the check, as he apparently earns double the "Mad Men" star's $100,000 per episode.

Charlie Sheen, at $1.25 million per show, still makes more than double what costar Jon Cryer does. About which we will say no more.

Punching in at $45 million a year, Judge Judy makes triple what Katie Couric does. Heck, that's triple Ryan Seacrest's paycheck as well. Plus she gets to yell at people on her show, which is worth a lot.

Bill O'Reilly probably doesn't care too much when he's Keith Olbermann's worst person in the world ...