'Friends' to Stay On Another Season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 12-21-2002, 09:16 PM

'Friends' to Stay On Another Season

By David Bauder
The Associated Press

NEW YORK - NBC's six "Friends" aren't breaking up yet. The network announced a surprise agreement Saturday to keep the top-rated comedy on the air for another season.

No details of the agreement between the network, Warner Brothers Productions, Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions and the six lead actors were released. But NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks confirmed the deal had been sealed early Saturday morning.

It was a welcome holiday present for NBC, which counts on "Friends" to kick off its powerful Thursday night lineup each week.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer are all being paid $1 million per episode this season.

When NBC announced in February that "Friends" would be back this fall, it was said then that this would be the final year.

But in the months to follow, NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker made certain the door remained open to a return. He consistently refused, in speaking publicly, to rule out the chance it would return.

Some of the actors had also seemed warm to the idea. Kudrow, interviewed on NBC's "Today" show in recent weeks, noted how the sitcom filming schedule, with its regular hours, was ideal for a young mother.

Although Aniston drew strong reviews last summer for her performance in "The Good Girl," none of the actors has established a solid career in the movies.

The last two seasons have been a revival for the series. It drew strong reviews last season and was the No. 1 series of the year in the Nielsen Media Research rankings. "Friends" also won its first Emmy as best comedy series and Aniston won for best comedy actress.

The series is generally the highest-rated comedy this year, although the CBS drama, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," has supplanted it as television's most popular show.

This season Aniston's character, Rachel, is dealing witha motherhood after giving birth last May. Cox and Perry's characters, a married couple, had to deal with a separation when his job transferred him to the Midwest.

Although the same thing was said when February's agreement was reached, Marks said Saturday that "I'm sure it will be the final year."

The series of six close-knit pals living in New York City spawned many imitators at its initial success — including on NBC — but no show could match its formula for success. The show is already being seen frequently in syndication.

Frasier W. Crane · 12-21-2002, 09:33 PM

Dang it! I want this show to end! There is no reason to keep going if they don't want it to. Can't TV people just find something else? Its all for the money, and i'm sick of it. It steals away other shows that are probably better than it. Grr.

DarleneIllyria · 12-21-2002, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Frasier W. Crane
Dang it! I want this show to end! There is no reason to keep going if they don't want it to. Can't TV people just find something else? Its all for the money, and i'm sick of it. It steals away other shows that are probably better than it. Grr.

Ditto to all you said FWC.

Frasier W. Crane · 12-21-2002, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny

Ditto to all you said FWC.

Thanks! At least I have someone supporting me.

Central Perk · 12-21-2002, 09:54 PM

I'm kind of glad its getting another year, but unless the shows get better I really think they should stop.

Sitcomwriter · 12-21-2002, 10:23 PM

2 years ago "Friends" was my favorite sitcom of all-time but now it's #5 (#1:Curb Your Enthusiasm,#2:That's My Bush,#3:Good Morning Miami,#4:Andy Ricter Controls The Universe,#5:Friends).It's just declined in quality and everything else.I was actually WAITING for it to end! Didn't they say it was the last season 4 years ago? LOL! Anyway here's to another 9 seasons!

Brian · 12-21-2002, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmiegirl48
I think Friends has overstayed its welcome by now.

I second that.

GoldenFamilyTies · 12-21-2002, 10:48 PM

Wow, this is very great (and surprising) news!

Ahhh I can't believe it!

Friends hasn't overstayed it's welcome, since it is the top-rated comedy right now.

I do agree, the salaries are WAY too high!!

But this is good news!

Sara Micelli · 12-21-2002, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Frasier W. Crane
Dang it! I want this show to end! There is no reason to keep going if they don't want it to. Can't TV people just find something else? Its all for the money, and i'm sick of it. It steals away other shows that are probably better than it. Grr.

I agree with you 100%.

TJL · 12-21-2002, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Frasier W. Crane
Can't TV people just find something else? Its all for the money, and i'm sick of it. It steals away other shows that are probably better than it. Grr.

NBC has no other new sitcoms to fill the void if Friends leaves. There have been no new comedies this season that have taken off.
As far as I know, just about all of the sitcoms that came out this Fall are either cancelled or on hiatus, which is just as good as canceled. I bet you if there were a few bonafied new hit sitcoms on NBC this Fall, "Friends" would not have been brought back another season.

And as far as any other shows that Frinds is stealing away from, aside from say "Scrubs," "Will and Grace" and "Frasier," there aint much else happening on the Peacock Network...

shocolah · 12-22-2002, 01:47 AM

I like most of the episodes, but these 6 people are getting paid WAY too much money. One million dollars an episode? They don't even deserve half of that for an entire season. What a bunch of greedy, money-hungry people. That alone is enough to make me quit watching the show altogether, reruns and new ones

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 12-22-2002, 01:50 AM

....Meangya.

*Bangs head* Why why why why WHY?!?!? *breaksdown*

James · 12-22-2002, 02:32 AM

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DarleneIllyria · 12-22-2002, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL

NBC has no other new sitcoms to fill the void if Friends leaves. There have been no new comedies this season that have taken off.
As far as I know, just about all of the sitcoms that came out this Fall are either cancelled or on hiatus, which is just as good as canceled. I bet you if there were a few bonafied new hit sitcoms on NBC this Fall, "Friends" would not have been brought back another season.

And as far as any other shows that Frinds is stealing away from, aside from say "Scrubs," "Will and Grace" and "Frasier," there aint much else happening on the Peacock Network...

Yeah, you do have a point there about the new shows. It's just that they cancel shows too damn quickly. I don't watch many new shows, the only one I watch is Birds of Prey on WB.

I'll take Birds of Prey for example. I think BOP started out pretty good. Yet they are going to cancel it. They'll finish up the 13 eps in Jan. and then drop it. They dropped it too soon. The show had promise and instead of keeping it and trying to work out some of the bad things about the show, they just drop it.

Can you imagine some of the long running shows of the past if the were canceled before they even show 7 or 8 episodes?

TJL · 12-22-2002, 10:51 AM

The bottom line is, and this is most unfortunate...

If you don't win your timeslot, you're doomed.

12-21-2002, 10:23 PM	#6
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	2 years ago "Friends" was my favorite sitcom of all-time but now it's #5 (#1:Curb Your Enthusiasm,#2:That's My Bush,#3:Good Morning Miami,#4:Andy Ricter Controls The Universe,#5:Friends).It's just declined in quality and everything else.I was actually WAITING for it to end! Didn't they say it was the last season 4 years ago? LOL! Anyway here's to another 9 seasons!
	Last edited by Sitcomwriter; 12-21-2002 at 10:25 PM.

12-22-2002, 01:47 AM	#11
shocolah Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 01, 2001 Posts: 546	I like most of the episodes, but these 6 people are getting paid WAY too much money. One million dollars an episode? They don't even deserve half of that for an entire season. What a bunch of greedy, money-hungry people. That alone is enough to make me quit watching the show altogether, reruns and new ones
	Last edited by shocolah; 12-23-2002 at 09:53 AM.

12-22-2002, 01:50 AM	#12
¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ MISS APRIL Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 19, 2001 Location: Parsonsfield ME Shaws - Screwing my way up the employment ladder! Posts: 68,780	....Meangya. Bangs head Why why why why WHY?!?!? breaksdown
	__________________ DAVID COOK FOR AMERICAN IDOL

12-21-2002, 09:16 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	'Friends' to Stay On Another Season 'Friends' to Stay On Another Season By David Bauder The Associated Press NEW YORK - NBC's six "Friends" aren't breaking up yet. The network announced a surprise agreement Saturday to keep the top-rated comedy on the air for another season. No details of the agreement between the network, Warner Brothers Productions, Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions and the six lead actors were released. But NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks confirmed the deal had been sealed early Saturday morning. It was a welcome holiday present for NBC, which counts on "Friends" to kick off its powerful Thursday night lineup each week. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer are all being paid $1 million per episode this season. When NBC announced in February that "Friends" would be back this fall, it was said then that this would be the final year. But in the months to follow, NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker made certain the door remained open to a return. He consistently refused, in speaking publicly, to rule out the chance it would return. Some of the actors had also seemed warm to the idea. Kudrow, interviewed on NBC's "Today" show in recent weeks, noted how the sitcom filming schedule, with its regular hours, was ideal for a young mother. Although Aniston drew strong reviews last summer for her performance in "The Good Girl," none of the actors has established a solid career in the movies. The last two seasons have been a revival for the series. It drew strong reviews last season and was the No. 1 series of the year in the Nielsen Media Research rankings. "Friends" also won its first Emmy as best comedy series and Aniston won for best comedy actress. The series is generally the highest-rated comedy this year, although the CBS drama, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," has supplanted it as television's most popular show. This season Aniston's character, Rachel, is dealing witha motherhood after giving birth last May. Cox and Perry's characters, a married couple, had to deal with a separation when his job transferred him to the Midwest. Although the same thing was said when February's agreement was reached, Marks said Saturday that "I'm sure it will be the final year." The series of six close-knit pals living in New York City spawned many imitators at its initial success — including on NBC — but no show could match its formula for success. The show is already being seen frequently in syndication.

12-21-2002, 09:33 PM	#2
Frasier W. Crane Farewell, Frasier Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 22, 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 782	Dang it! I want this show to end! There is no reason to keep going if they don't want it to. Can't TV people just find something else? Its all for the money, and i'm sick of it. It steals away other shows that are probably better than it. Grr.
	__________________ George W. Bush: "We Keep Our Word." Almost 3 Million Jobs Lost No Child Left Behind Act Underfunded by $9 Billion 3.8 Million More Americans Lost Health Insurance Small Deficit? Annual Deficit To Exceed $400 Billion in the Next 10 Years 200,000 Veterans Cut From Health System Raids Entire $2.6 Trillion Social Security Trust Fund We need a President who means what he says, and keeps his word. John Kerry is the President that can do that. Sen. John F. Kerry for United States President. HE WILL keep his word. Visit www.johnkerry.com to get more information about the Senator that will turn our country around. https://contribute.johnkerry.com/ind..._code=00014509

12-21-2002, 09:54 PM	#5
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	I'm kind of glad its getting another year, but unless the shows get better I really think they should stop.

12-21-2002, 10:48 PM	#8
GoldenFamilyTies Por siempre tú Senior Member Join Date: Jan 15, 2002 Location: United States Posts: 1,329	Wow, this is very great (and surprising) news! Ahhh I can't believe it! Friends hasn't overstayed it's welcome, since it is the top-rated comedy right now. I do agree, the salaries are WAY too high!! But this is good news!

12-22-2002, 02:32 AM	#13
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12-22-2002, 10:51 AM	#15
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	The bottom line is, and this is most unfortunate... If you don't win your timeslot, you're doomed.