The Most Emmy-Nominated Drama on Television, "Mad Men," Wins Outstanding Drama &
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for
Matthew Weiner & Kater Gordon
Critically-Acclaimed Original Series "Breaking Bad" Wins Outstanding Lead Actor for Bryan Cranston
Original Dramas Also Capture Creative Arts Emmy Wins
Network Garnered 23 Emmy Nominations, The Most for Any Basic Cable Network Two Years in a Row
Los Angeles, CA – September 21, 2008 – On Sunday, September 20, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced the winners for the 61st Annual Emmy® Awards, with AMC making history again as the first basic cable network to win Outstanding Drama Series, for its original series "MAD MEN," and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, for ’Breaking Bad’s" Bryan Cranston, in consecutive years. The most Emmy-nominated basic cable network, AMC received a total of three Awards, including Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Matthew Weiner and Kater Gordon. Both series also captured Creative Arts Emmys, which were awarded last weekend, including Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single-Camera Series (Lynne Willingham, "Breaking Bad") and Outstanding Hairstyling (Gloria Ponce, Katherine Rees, Marilyn Phillips, Michele Payne, "MAD MEN").
The following is a statement from AMC General Manager and Executive Vice President Charlie Collier:
"To be the first cable network to win the Emmy for Best Drama and Lead Actor two years in a row is a truly gratifying and exciting moment for AMC. We thank the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for once again recognizing the network’s critically acclaimed original series ’MAD MEN,’ and ’Breaking Bad’ as among the best on television. We are so proud to offer audiences the unique and complex worlds of Sterling Cooper and anti-hero Walter White, which have captivated viewers and critics alike. These award wins further validate our commitment to creating the best stories on television."
"We congratulate Bryan Cranston, Matthew Weiner, Kater Gordon and the entire cast and crew of ’MAD MEN’ on their well-deserved wins, and thank them for their dedication to excellence."
"MAD MEN’s" Emmy Award wins include:
- Outstanding Drama Series
AMC – Lionsgate Television - Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Meditations in an Emergency – AMC – Lionsgate Television
Kater Gordon, Writer
Matthew Weiner, Writer
"Breaking Bad’s" Emmy Award wins include:
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
AMC – High Bridge, Gran Via Productions, Sony Pictures Television
Bryan Cranston as Walter White
Mad Men’s" first two seasons have been honored with a number of industry awards, including back-to-back Golden Globes® for Best Television Series – Drama (2007 and 2008), a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series (Jon Hamm), and a Peabody Award (2007), among numerous other accolades. The inaugural season of "Breaking Bad" premiered in January 2008 to overwhelming critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike. The series has garnered a Peabody Award (2008), and was named to AFI’s Top 10 Programs of 2008, among other awards.
About "MAD MEN"
Recently renewed for a fourth season on the heels of a successful Season 3 debut, "MAD MEN" burst onto the scene when it debuted on AMC in July 2007 and quickly became one of the most talked about series on television. Set in 1960s New York, "MAD MEN" is a sexy and provocative original drama that follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising. Created by Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Matthew Weiner, the show’s cast includes: Golden Globe-winner Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, and John Slattery and guest stars legendary stage and screen actor Robert Morse.
Lionsgate, the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, produces the series with AMC’s Joel Stillerman, SVP Original Programming, Production and Digital Content, and Vlad Wolynetz, VP of Production, Series and Movies, overseeing the development and production of the drama.
"MAD MEN" airs Sundays at 10pm ET on AMC.
About "Breaking Bad"
Created by acclaimed writer/producer/director Vince Gilligan ("The X-Files"), "Breaking Bad follows Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a milquetoast high school chemistry teacher who discovers he is dying of lung cancer. Desperate to secure his family’s financial future, Walt teams up with a former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), to turn a used RV into a mobile drug lab. Filmed on location in Albuquerque, NM, "Breaking Bad" stars 2008 Emmy® Award-winner Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, and RJ Mitte.
"Breaking Bad" Season 3 returns in early 2010.
About AMC
AMC – the most Emmy®-winning basic cable network of 2008 – reigns as the only basic cable network to win back-to-back Golden Globes® for Best Television Series – Drama and boasts a comprehensive library of the most entertaining movies of all time. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original productions, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC’s original stories include the Emmy® Award-winning dramas "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," the upcoming miniseries "The Prisoner" and insightful non-scripted programming such as "AMC Storymakers" and "AMC News." AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with curated movie franchises like AMC Hollywood Icon and AMC Complete Collection. Available in more than 95 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, which includes sister networks IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.