HBO's polygamist lovefest set for early 2009; AMC's 1960s award-winner set for summer.

The major networks may have announced all of their fall schedules and beyond, but cable networks play by their own rules--no real fancy events to woo advertisers.

But eventually, viewers are going to want to know when their favorite shows are returning for new seasons, and premiere information on a pair of cable hits surfaced today.

AMC's Mad Men, the network's first foray into original, scripted programming, will return for its second season on July 27, according to The Chicago Tribune. The show's first season was showered with awards, including Golden Globes for best drama and best actor (Jon Hamm).

Mad Men follows an advertising agency in 1960s New York, and has been lauded for its realistic depiction of the time period. In addition to Hamm, the drama stars Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, and January Jones.

Over on HBO, the writers strike seems to have taken its toll on Big Love. The show's second season ended in August of 2007, but season three isn't scheduled to get going until early 2009.

"Unfortunately the strike really pushed back production on season three," show runner Will Scheffer told E! Online. "Our fans will have to wait until January for our new season, which just started production. It's a great season, though, and I hope it will be worth the wait."

Big Love stars Bill Paxton (that guy from Aliens who says "Game over, man! Game over!") as the patriarch of a Mormon family that practices polygamy. Both Paxton and the show got Golden Globe nominations last year.

However, both shows' return dates are subject to change, given that neither network has announced any official dates.