Friends Facing the Final Curtain?

Found the following post at http://www.takiweb.com/~piranha/friendsweb/index.php This is definitely not official with no way of confirming its accuracy.

babsyee writes:

Friends Facing the Final Curtain

Long-running hit sitcom FRIENDS is definitely wrapping up for good, according to sources at America's NBC TV network. The future of the show - starring JENNIFER ANISTON, MATTHEW PERRY, COURTENEY COX-ARQUETTE, LISA KUDROW, MATT LE BLANC, DAVID SCHWIMMER - has been up in the air for some time, following eight series of the massively popular series.

And now, with the six lead actors earning $750,000 per episode, network chiefs believe the product being produced can no longer justify the costs. A network insider says, "They're canceling it. The network feels that with the increased money the cast is asking for, the show will no longer be cost effective, and they're prepared to say goodbye.

In article , [email] (NARAG) wrote:

Okay Narag, I'm not about to criticise *you* here. :)

The stupidity of this gossip is best exposed by pointing out that the current deal was established at the end of Season 6, which did not do all that well, while ratings for Season 8 have gone through the roof.

The money the cast gets looks like a lot to us, but it's small compared with the huge earnings the show makes, especially since "Friends" is the only really successful US TV show in the world at large.

Tennant Stuart

Tennant Stuart wrote

So we all agree. How does this renewed interest in Friends this season translate into actual $? How much is NBC making per eppy now compared to season six? Does anyone have this numbers?

Agreed. That's why I'm in favor of the cast joining the exclusive million dollar club. Drew Carey makes $750K/eppy, Ray Romano makes $800k and both stars of Fraiser at least $1M/eppy. Stars like JA alone can easily command a salary of $1.5M/eppy.

[email] (NARAG) wrote in message news:...

I gotta ask. How did you arrive at this figure of $1.5M for JA?? There's really no reason for them to pay her anymore than the rest. Infact paying her more will just tick off the others and they will not sign. So, we will be left with just one Friend! Don't think that will work.

Priya

Why not? The one Friend the network or Crane can't afford to lose is JA. Season eight is centered on her character and Crane has indicated there's more exciting possibilities for Rachel. NBC has had flops with a couple of its starters this season, with no series in sight to take over the time slot for Friends. There is also the probability that the cast may not negotiate their salary collectively as they have done so in the past as Crane has indicated that he'll continue with Friends if 5 out of 6 return. I suspect the network might be speaking to the cast members individually. Plus its always in the networks interest to have separate negotiations that that gives them better odds.

Further, I would expect everyone to seek pay rises in the tune of $1M at least if they negotiate collectively. I doubt the network will be willing to accede to their demands as that's a whole lot more money to shell out. I also don't see that many possibilities for the cast post Friends; JA being the exception here. Hence more likely for the network to secure an agreement from them at the current salary. That leaves JA and I believe the network will consider paying substaintially to keep her on the show or rather to keep the show :)

Sure there will be envy and probably unhappiness when one star is paid more than the other. Life isn't fair. But the network can keep the deal under wraps until they have secured an acceptance from all of them.

Regards,

[email] (p r i y a) wrote in message :

I agree with your satatement, all the way through!!

NARAG wrote in message news:[email]...

That article is SOOOO fake. The only way Friends is ending this year is if the cast decides to end it...the network would NEVER cancel it at this point...it is the number one show on TV! Whoever wrote that is a dumbass! To think NBC would assume Friends is too expensive while at the same time they sign Frasier on til its 11th season, when they usually never make the top ten. Just ignore that article.

"NARAG" wrote in message news:[email]...

I hope so. The network was able to secure in the case of Fraiser, long commitments from the stars and hence an assurance up to 11th season. Both Grammer and Pierce earn $1M/eppy and the entire cost of an eppy to the network incl. salary is $5.3M/eppy.

Friends on the other hand if they do return and I'm certain the cast will most likely try and force the network's hand at $1M/eppy putting cost to the network at $6M/eppy in pay if they get their way. It would be reasonable to assume it would then cost the about $8-$9M/eppy of Friends. On top of that it is doubtful if they would sign on for a further 2 seasons, in which case it would be worthwhile and may justify the pay rise. But I'm guessing it would be at most for a season with other none salary incentives thrown in for good measure.

Yes Friends is more popular than Fraiser but how much does that popularity translate in terms of $ to the network? Ultimately that's the deciding factor and I'm hoping someone can shed some info on this.

Its clear cut in the case of the big screen as that can be measured in terms of gate takings as it always is.

Regards,

"TEWhome" wrote :