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‘Friends’ together for 10th season
by Bonnie Barlow
Scroll Staff
NBC announced Dec. 23 that it will be carrying Friends for a 10th season, despite the assumption that the ninth would conclude the hit series.
Several factors prompted the deal: NBC’s need for a successful Thursday night sitcom replacement and the fact that cast members are still enjoying the work, according to People magazine.
But extending the show for another season will come with a price.
“The network is expected to agree to pay the highest price in television history for a 30-minute show, as much as $9 million an episode, to bring the show and all six of its stars back,” People magazine estimated in a recent article. In a similar article from cnn.com the amount was raised even higher to $10 million per episode.
Five years ago Jerry Seinfeld rejected NBC’s offer to raise his pay from $1 million to an estimated $5 million to continue Seinfeld for an additional season.
Rumors were generated among fans that the stars were ready to call it quits, but after receiving the award for the best comedy series and lead actress in a comedy series at the 2002 Emmys, the tables turned.
The sitcom will generate only 18 episodes in its 10th season, compared to the usual 24.
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