Since I was 12, one show has been the center of my entire life.
OK, so it’s not that dramatic, but I have seen nearly every single episode of “Friends” in the past eight years.
And my life doesn’t get much more exciting than being able to lounge on the couch for three hours of “Friends,” “Will & Grace” and the increasingly far-fetched story lines happening on “ER.”
But unlike “ER” becoming more and more of a ridiculously over-dramatic show every year, my love of “Friends” only increases with age.
And with possible negotiations between NBC and Warner Bros. for a ninth season next fall, there are a few things to consider.
Although the six friends are getting older, less attractive and fatter, they manage to get paid more and more every year. This is a phenomenon I don’t understand.
The actors are all getting paid $750,000 an episode, with about 22 episodes every season. This to me already seems like an unfathomable amount of money.
One time I had more than $1,000 in my checking account and I felt special.
But the six actors are reportedly demanding at least $1 million an episode if they return for a ninth season.
I have a great idea. Instead of paying $22 million to each actor next year to say funny one-liners and attract millions of viewers, why not just let my five friends and I take over the show?
I’m pretty sure we could manage with only $1,000 an episode and still pull in pretty good ratings.
I was going to write this column about how much I enjoy “Friends” and the excitement I would feel about the cast returning for a ninth season. But now I feel myself growing a resentment toward the actors.
Is it really that much of a hassle to be on the only good show left on television that’s won numerous Emmy awards and been the host to dozens of guest stars?
Yeah, that must suck.
Besides, all of the actors with the exception of Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow have proven they can’t handle a serious acting career outside of television acting.
Aniston played a hilarious role in “Office Space” and Kudrow had an excellent role aside Christina Ricci in “The Opposite of Sex.”
But some of the other cast members have not been so lucky.
Matt LeBlanc did the baseball monkey movie, “Ed,” and Courteney Cox Arquette kept agreeing to appear in the “Scream” movies.
It’s just sickening and embarrassing to see the wit and antics that characterize some of the “Friends” actors turned into absolute trash with these movies.
I think it’s in everyone’s best interest to see them continue doing the show. Think about how much the show has been able to get away with in the past eight years.
Ross (David Schwimmer) has actually been married and divorced three times. One of those times to Rachel (Aniston).
Chandler (Matthew Perry) is now married to Monica (Cox Arquette). And now, finally, Rachel is going to have Ross’ baby.
It all sounds like a really bad soap opera, but has never really been thought of as ludicrous or annoying to viewers.
With so many memories to ponder and play trivia with now, it seems silly for the actors to try to convince NBC officials and Warner Bros. that they have something better to do.
What they actually need to do is try to make us all understand why they need the $750,000 an episode now and the estimated $250,000 more they will each receive next fall.
It seems unlikely NBC could come up with another show that would replace the 8 p.m. Thursday time slot that’s so loved by viewers.
And it seems that the six friends have realized that, and are taking the network for all the money they can. But if that’s what it’s really come down to, maybe “Friends” won’t be worth watching next year.
It’ll just add to the realization that more “Scream” sequels are on their way and we’ll be forced to resort to watching “Survivor.”
Oh well, maybe it’ll make me get up off the couch.
Leslie Escobar, MS&U enterprise reporter, can be reached at escobarl@msu.edu.
