Elisabeth Moss: extra time

Why did AMC decide to break up Mad Men’s final season into two chunks rather than running all the episodes this year? Brian Thomas

For one thing, the network wanted to get as much mileage as possible while it still had the show ... something AMC is becoming known for ( see: Breaking Bad). For another, it was a benefit to executive producer Matthew Weiner and the cast and crew in terms of scheduling. We spoke with Elisabeth Moss, alias the show’s Peggy Olson, just before the drama’s April return. At that point, she and the rest of the cast — including Jon Hamm as Don Draper and John Slattery as Roger Sterling — were just going back to start filming the final set of episodes that will be shown next year.

Did Mickey Rooney ever win an Oscar? Also, did he win any Emmy Awards for his television work? Joan G. via email

Rooney shared a juvenile Oscar with Deanna Durbin in 1939 “for their significant contribution in bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth,” and he was given an honorary award in 1983 for his “50 years of versatility in a variety of memorable film performances.” Of course, by the time Rooney died recently, those 50 years had grown to almost 80. He never won any Oscars for specific roles, although he was nominated four times. As for Emmys, he was nominated five times and won once, for his performance in the title role of the 1981 TV movie Bill.