Emmys 2012: 'Mad Men' honcho Matthew Weiner 'shocked,' as always

By Jessica Gelt

Sept. 23, 2012 12 AM PT

“Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner still can’t believe his brainchild is such a hit, even though he’s an old pro on the Emmys red carpet, returning year after year as “Mad Men,” renewed for a sixth season, continues to thrill viewers.

(Also thrilling viewers: Dashing star Jon Hamm, who mostly skipped the carpet press line but stopped plenty to wave at his shrieking fans in the bleachers on Sunday.)

“I’m shocked to be here,” said Weiner. “I always am. I’m excited about tonight; I think we have a real shot.”

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What show would he root for if he weren’t rooting for his own?

“I don’t think I would watch,” he deadpanned, and then smiled. “Make sure you put that I was joking!”

Really, he’s just content doing what he’s doing and said that he’s grown to love the characters on “Mad Men” like his family.

“They’re very important to me,” he said. “So are the actors I get to work with, the different parts of my personality I get to express and the writers I get to exploit.”

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