Key Takeaways:
– In its second season, ‘The Apprentice’ with Donald Trump as host was beating ‘Friends’ reruns in ratings and viewership.
– As a result, Trump demanded a salary to match the ‘Friends’ cast, claiming he should earn $6 million per episode.
– Courteney Cox recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the ‘Friends’ series finale, expressing gratitude for the sustained love for the show.
Trump’s Strike for High Remuneration
‘Friends’, the NBC sitcom that ran from 1994 to 2004, sparked an unparalleled sensation. The show’s primary cast, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, became household names due to the program’s extraordinary success.
As ‘Friends’ was waving its last goodbye in 2004, NBC’s new reality show, ‘The Apprentice’, hosted by Donald Trump, made its debut. Reportedly, the reality show outperformed the sitcom’s reruns in ratings, leading Trump to make a rather perplexing demand to NBC regarding his pay.
Salaries at the Core of Contention
Just as ‘The Apprentice’ began gaining momentum, Trump insisted that his salary for the show’s second season should match what each of the ‘Friends’ actors was making. He reportedly demanded $6 million per episode, totaling the amount each of the six main ‘Friends’ cast members earned. Trump maintained that with his show’s superior ratings and ‘Friends’ somewhere in the twilight of its ten-year-run, he deserved equal financial compensation.
Trump’s Demand Meets Resistance
NBC’s head Jeff Zucker, however, flatly denied Trump’s bold demand, arguing it was inconsistent with his original deal of $25,000 per episode. Despite the conflict, a mutually satisfactory agreement was finally reached, allowing Trump to continue serving as the host of ‘The Apprentice’ for the first 14 seasons.
Courteney Cox Celebrates ‘Friends’ Legacy
Beyond the controversy, ‘Friends’ continues to inspire love and nostalgia. Courteney Cox, who played the favorite character Monica Geller, recently marked the 20th anniversary of the series finale with a commendable tribute. Through Instagram, Cox shared her enduring gratitude for the ongoing affection for ‘Friends’.
A Tribute to the Unforgettable Matthew Perry
With the tragic passing of Matthew Perry, the actor who indelibly portrayed Chandler Bing, the ‘Friends’ fanbase has only grown, attracting both old and new viewers alike. The sitcom remains a gift that keeps on giving, continuing to bring joy to audiences even today.
‘Friends’ and ‘The Apprentice’ Streaming Availability
Fans can recapture the beloved sitcom’s nostalgia by streaming all ten seasons of ‘Friends’ on Max, while ‘The Apprentice’ is available to watch on the NBC network. Despite competitive ratings and salary controversies, both shows continue to serve as cherished classics in the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Whether you’re a seasoned ‘Friends’ fan or a newcomer to the sitcom’s world, it continues to captivate audiences with its heartwarming humor. Likewise, ‘The Apprentice’, despite the disputes surrounding it, persists as an intrigue-filled series. As readers, it’s a joy to witness the continued success and love these long-finished shows still enjoy.
