AMC

Last week The Hollywood Reporter revealed that deal delays between Lionsgate and “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner would cause the show to miss its usual summer premiere spot. Bad news indeed, but it allowed loyal “Men” followers to hold out hope that they'd only have to wait until autumn rolls around. Not so.

According to “Mad Men’s” network home, AMC, another season of the hit show is on the way, but it won’t air until next year.

“While we are getting a later start than in years past due to ongoing, key non-cast negotiations, ‘Mad Men’ will be back for a fifth season in early 2012,” the network revealed in a statement issued to the New York Times.

What's behind that all-important negotiation stall? According to a recent Deadline.com report, Weiner can't quite get past certain money-saving and money-making requests from AMC and Lionsgate, namely that he add product placement into the "Mad Men" mix, shave two minutes from each episode for ad room and perhaps the biggest road block of all, that he cut two cast members from the lineup. (Our pals at TheWrap.com report that AMC has asked Weiner to cut SIX cast members, not two.)

Sound off, "Mad Men" fans. If regulars have to go to save the show, who would you send packing?

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