"With the clock running out on the contracts of the cast of 'Friends,' there has been surprisingly little movement toward extending another season or two. That seems fine with the six stars, who are transitioning nicely to features, as evidenced recently by 'Scream 3' star Courteney Cox Arquette landing the female lead in '3000 Miles to Graceland,' Matthew Perry opening in 'The Whole Nine Yards'and Lisa Kudrow toplining 'Hanging Up.' While early speculation was that Perry and Cox Arquette's characters might do a spinoff if deals with their castmates proved too expensive, the cast's united front and lack of desperation to get to the bargaining table will probably pay off in huge raises."
“ChevronTexaco's shifting priorities can be seen as a legitimate corporate move. Still, it's hard for opera lovers to imagine that the Met broadcasts might be jeopardized for want of a sum that would be a pittance in the world of commercial entertainment or sports. In major league baseball, $7 million would not pay the salary of a decent pitcher. The six stars of the sitcom 'Friends' make $1 million each per half-hour episode. Compare this to the absolute top fee for a singer at the Met, America's most prestigious opera house: $15,000 per performance. No one, no matter how big, not even Plácido Domingo, makes more.”
RSS