TV News: “Mad Men” Firing, “Parenthood,” “Southland” Cancellation

– Deadline Hollywood reported this weekend that Kater Gordon, a screenwriter who contributed an Emmy-winning “Mad Men” script, has been dropped from the show’s creative staff.

Gordon had a meteoric rise on the acclaimed series’ staff; she started as creator Matthew Weiner’s personal assistant before being promoted to writing assistant and then, ultimately, full-time screenwriter. She helped pen last season’s “Meditations in an Emergency,” which won a writing Emmy, and was the sole writer behind season three’s “The Fog.”

That rise has nonetheless come to an end, as Gordon has been let go.

“We think [Kater's] done a great job, particularly for someone whose career has progressed so quickly. Now, however, Matt has reluctantly decided that their relationship has reached its full potential. She’ll be missed, but the series has consistently benefited from the influx of new writer talent, and there’s absolutely no doubt that Kater will continue to have unprecedented success in her career as she spreads her wings. She leaves Mad Men with our love and respect and a well-deserved Emmy,” an unidentified staff member said in an email to Deadline.

– It was reported late last week that NBC has canceled “Southland.” The gritty cop show, which debuted to rave reviews last season but suffered a massive ratings drop as its episodes rolled on, had not even premiered for its second season. There is internal hope that the show will be picked up by a cable network.

– Lauren Graham has signed to replace the departing Maura Tierney in NBC’s “Parenthood.”