AMC Makes History as the First Basic Cable Network to Win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series
The Most Emmy-Nominated Original Drama Series on Television, MAD MEN, Wins Oustanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Matthew Weiner
Critically-Acclaimed Original Series Breaking Bad Wins Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Bryan Cranston
Network Garnered 20 Emmy Nominations, the Most for Any Basic Cable Network
Los Angeles, CA – September 21, 2008 – AMC makes history receiving the first ever basic cable win for Outstanding Drama Series for MAD MEN at the 60th Annual EMMY Awards®. AMC received two awards for the critically acclaimed MAD MEN, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Matthew Weiner. AMC’s original series, BREAKING BAD, won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Bryan Cranston.
The following is a statement from AMC General Manager and Executive Vice President Charlie Collier:
"The recognition AMC received on Sunday night from the industry is truly historic. To be the first cable network ever to win the EMMY for Best Drama is an incredible honor for AMC and an affirmation of our standard of excellence and high-quality originals.
"MAD MEN and BREAKING BAD are two of the most critically-acclaimed series on television, and have set the bar for AMC’s original programming in the years to come. The dedicated production teams and the spectacular casts of actors have crafted remarkable and unique works.
"We congratulate Bryan Cranston, Matthew Weiner and the cast and crews of MAD MEN on their well-deserved wins and we thank the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences members for this tremendous acknowledgement."
MAD MEN’s EMMY wins include:
- Outstanding Drama Series
MAD MEN. AMC. Lionsgate Television - Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series
MAD MEN. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Pilot). AMC . Lionsgate Television
Matthew Weiner, Written By
BREAKING BAD’s EMMY wins include:
- Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
BREAKING BAD . AMC . High Bridge Productions, Inc. and Gran Via Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television
Bryan Cranston as Walt White
About MAD MEN
Set in early 1960s New York, MAD MEN follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising. Created, written and executive produced by Matthew Weiner (The Sopranos), the show’s cast includes 2007 Golden Globe winner Jon Hamm (The Day the Earth Stood Still), Elisabeth Moss (The West Wing), Vincent Kartheiser (Angel), January Jones (Three Burials of Meliquiades Estrada), Christina Hendricks (Kevin Hill), and John Slattery (Flags of Our Fathers) and guest stars legendary stage and screen star Robert Morse (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying). MAD MEN also stars Michael Gladis (Third Watch), Aaron Staton (August Rush), Rich Sommer (The Devil Wears Prada) and Bryan Batt (Jeffrey).
Also the winner of two Golden Globes and a Peabody Award, 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. MAD MEN was featured as a Top 10 program of 2007 in a number of national publications, including TIME, USA Today, People, TV Guide and the Los Angeles Times, and was called the best show of the year by the Associated Press.
MAD MEN is produced by Lionsgate, the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, in association with AMC. Joining Weiner is co-executive producer Scott Hornbacher (The Sopranos) and supervising producers Lisa Albert (Becker), Andre Jacquemetton and Maria Jacquemetton. Marti Noxon (Grey’s Anatomy) and David Isaacs (Becker) are consulting producers. Dwayne Shattuck (Hidden Palms) and Blake McCormick (Swingtown) are co-producers, and Marcy Patterson (Miss Guided) is associate producer. Emmy Award-winner Chris Manley (Prison Break) is director of photography. Emmy Award-winner Dan Bishop (Big Love), who won this year’s Art Directors Guild Award for his work during MAD MEN’s first season, is production designer and Emmy Award-winner Katherine Jane Bryant (Deadwood) is costume designer. Malcolm Jamieson is supervising editor and Chris Nelson and Cindy Mollo are editors. AMC’s Joel Stillerman, SVP of original programming, production and digital content; Christina Wayne, SVP of scripted series and mini-series; and Vlad Wolynetz, VP of production, series and movies, oversee development and production for the network.
About BREAKING BAD
From acclaimed writer/producer/director Vince Gilligan (The X-Files), BREAKING BAD follows the story of a desperate man who turns to a life of crime to secure his family’s financial security. The dramatic series stars Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle, Little Miss Sunshine), Anna Gunn (Deadwood); Aaron Paul (Mission: Impossible III); Dean Norris (Little Miss Sunshine); Betsy Brandt (CSI); and RJ Mitte (Hannah Montana, Weeds).
The inaugural season of BREAKING BAD premiered in January 2008 to overwhelming acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Rolling Stone praised the series by asking, "What more proof do you need that AMC has the best dramas on cable?" Newsday hailed BREAKING BAD as a "must-see series" and wrote, "Tony Soprano has nothing on Mr. White…" Added Entertainment Weekly, "BREAKING BAD mixes desperation and deviousness to yield a volatile valuable product."
Gilligan and Mark Johnson are executive producers for High Bridge Productions, Inc. and Gran Via Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. AMC’s Joel Stillerman, SVP of original programming, production and digital content; Christina Wayne, SVP of scripted series and mini-series; and Vlad Wolynetz, VP of production, series and movies, oversee development and production for the network.
About AMC
AMC is a multi-platform network that celebrates classic movies and high-quality scripted series. Among the elite services available in nearly 93 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC defines what it means to be a classic movie network today, creating a distinctive viewing experience that celebrates all that is enduringly cool, personal and powerfully relevant about movies. AMC’s comprehensive library of popular movies strike a meaningful chord with its audience, and its critically-acclaimed slate of originals all have a cinematic quality that allow them to complement and be complemented by some of the best movies of all time. AMC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, which includes sister networks IFC, WE tv and Sundance Channel. AMC is THE FUTURE OF CLASSIC.