9/17    Does anybody have a direct quote of FCC Chair Michael Powell
        talking about how media consolidation is necessary to "continue
        bringing Americans quality programming such as Friends, which
        costs $10M for every episode"?  He mentioned Jennifer Aniston's
        salary in particular, and it was on ABCNews last night.
        \_ Jennifer Aniston has breast implants.
           \_ URL please?
        \_ Well, each of the "Friends" makes $1 million+ per episode, so that
           explains the cost. It's sickening, but more sickening is that the
           dumb show makes so much in advertising revenue that they can get
           paid that much and still make a profit. I think advertisers have
           lost their minds.
           \_ It's believed that NBC takes a loss on Friends, but needs it
              as a flagship.  Hard to sell $10M in ads over 30 minutes.
              \_ reruns, syndication, selling crap like season dvds.  I bet
                 they make a ton off friends alone.
                 \_ NBC doesn't see the money from reruns and syndication
                    since all they own are the broadcast rights. Warner
                    Brothers Studios produces the show, so they're the ones
                    paying the salaries and they're the ones who make money
                    from syndication. Seinfeld was the same way.
                    \_ ok, whomever is paying 10million an episode is getting
                       it back.
           \_ $1M per episode?  It'll take me 10yrs to make $1M.  Without
              layoff, that is.
              \_ Well they're obviously adding more value to the economy than
                 you are.  Also, you only make $100k?  You should've gone to
                 acting school.  Berkeley was a waste of time if you wanted
                 to make millions.
                 \_ If you want to make real money you have to drop out
                    of Harvard. - BillG
                    \_ I agree, but not necessarily harvard. - LarryE
        \_ Someone please tell me that you understand the irony that op
           is going for.
           \_ Did.  Don't care.
        \_ Who actually watches Friends?
           \_ Who thinks we should provide government support to networks
              who brings us crap like Friends?
                \_ Probably the same people who say that the market
                   will provide.