Mad Men Writers Back in Business: "It's Excellent News," Says Star

Thanks to an interim deal struck between the WGA and Lionsgate, writers for AMC's Mad Men and Showtime's Weeds are free to get back to work and start on scripts for Seasons 2 and 4, respectively. "This is excellent news for us," Rich Sommer (who plays Harry) told TV Guide at a Friday-night party celebrating the show's recent SAG, WGA and DGA nods. "It means that on Monday the writers' room opens. It was supposed to open Nov. 7, and now it’s opening Jan. 28. It means we’re going to be back before anyone else."WGA West prez Patric M. Verrone issued a joint statement with his East Coast counterpart, Michael Winship, in response to the deal, saying, "Lionsgate... signing an interim agreement again confirms that it is possible for both writers to be compensated fairly and respectfully for their work and for companies to operate profitably."Wondering how to celebrate such good news? Break out the cigarettes and scintillating copy. — Anna Dimond, with reporting by Julie Haire

TV GuideNews Jan. 25, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. PT