‘Mad Men’s Hendricks Hopes Producer Stays

The biggest buzz drama on TV, the Emmy-entrusted “Mad Men” on AMC, just wrapped up its second 13-episode season, which was really, really good.

But last week, Deadline Hollywood Daily reported the show’s production company, Lionsgate, was looking for a new show runner (top honcho) to replace show runner Matt Weiner (the creator and producer), because Weiner asked for a millions of dollars in a new contract.

I caught up with Christina Hendricks, who plays redheaded secretary Joan, this weekend, while she was here for “Believe’s” opening.

“I was told about this scary story about three days ago. I’m ignoring the scary story. We couldn’t do it with Matt Weiner. He’s the entire show,” Hendricks told me. “He’s extraordinary. He has influence on every little aspect of the show.”

Weiner runs a tight ship, she said.

“Generally at the beginning of the season, [he] likes to sort of discuss what he has in mind [for characters and episodes]. Usually it stays pretty close to that idea. It strays a little bit. But I don’t know anything about season three yet. Nothing.”

By the way, since she was at Angel’s opening, I asked her if she knew any magic tricks. Yes, she knows a mind reading trick, she said, “but it takes paper, and pens, and you have to have four drinks.”