television set salary disputes are almost as quondam as the Nielsen chart . Here are some examples .
1. WithFriendsLike These
By May 2001 , the original contracts of the sixFriendsstars had recently pass , and NBC was slated to announce its new Fall schedule to adman just a few days hence . Jennifer , Courteney , the two Matts , et al , had been offer a per - remuneration episode growth of $ 600,000 , but they decided to unite and have got out for $ 1,050,000 each . The Central Perk coterie had been inspired by the unity of theSeinfeldsidekicks who ’d held fast as a group and refused to return to work ( and reportedly threatened to " bury the show " ) lest their $ 1 million per episode demand was met . TheSeinfeldcrew eventually settled for $ 600,000 per , but their compromise proved to be a Pyrrhic victory for many other NBC wizard . The web on the spur of the moment took a firm posture and reject to be " strong-arm " by pettish actors . web brass ordered a series of promo spots to be broadcast after the time of year conclusion ; the substance of each teaser was " See how it all cease . " The net allow copy of the promos to the agent of each role player with a hope that they would start airing them at noon the next day . The tactic spooked the cast enough to agree to riposte to the negotiating table and a settlement was quickly get hold of .
2. Battle of Bunker
3. Gettin' Jiggle with It
One of his first movement on her behalf was to demand a per - episode earnings of $ 150,000 ( she ’d been receive $ 30,000 and had been offered a $ 5,000 growth ) plus 10 % possession of the serial . When the producer balk , Somers forebode in crazy for several crucial tape recording day . Somers and Hamel were certain that the Suits would capitulate , but much to their chagrin they found out that auditions had been launched for a " replacement blonde . " Somers ' contract was not renew , and her involvement in that season ’s remaining episode were boil down to Chrissy ( seemingly out of Ithiel Town , like for her ailing mother ) literally call up in her few lines .
4. Throw Momma from the Series
Her new contract specified that she would be paid $ 100,000 per episode ( she had been get $ 56,750 ) and she would also obtain 35 % of the adjusted sodding profits . Harper was fairly convinced her demands would be met ; after all , she had successfully lobbied for a like pay hike after the first season ofRhoda . But Lorimar Productions White House prepare a Plan B ( wryly referred to in the boardroom asThrow Momma from the Series ) in example Harper did n’t take their counter - offer . The suits were n’t too concerned about lose their title fibre , as they believed that stripling paragon Jason Bateman , not Valerie Harper , was the show ’s lottery card . Valerie pulled a Suzanne Somers and failed to show up for the first taping of Season Three . producer filmed the pre - aforethought harpist - less episode , killed the character in a railroad car crash , and Brandon Tartikoff handed Harper her walk papers .
Beginning with the third time of year , the show was re - titledValerie ’s Family – The Hogans , and finally ( after a suited menstruation of mourning , of form ) it became simplyThe Hogan Family .
5. The Coy and Vance Experiment
When Season Five began filming , serial stars Tom Wopat and John Schneider ( who played Luke and Bo Duke ) take the air off the set in a demand for both a earnings increment and a percentage of the approximately $ 190 million marketing revenue being generated each year . The producers responded by hire two look - alike thespian in the role of cousins Coy and Vance Duke , with the onscreen explanation that Bo and Luke had give Hazzard County to join the NASCAR tour .
As military rating slipped , more railcar chases and crashes were added to each episode in decree to entice viewers , but that strategy only conduct to a shortage of vintage Chargers usable for use on the set . Hazzardfans immediately noticed the use of plastic model and stock footage for scene involving their beloved General Lee , and they tune up out in droves . By the end of the fifth season , the producer were willing to negociate with Schneider and Wopat , who returned for the series ' final two time of year with a sensation of expiation and a heftier payroll check .
6. Lose a Turn
All was hunky - dory for the next seven years , until Chuck had the audaciousness to ask Merv Griffin for a lift . Woolery felt that his $ 65,000 salary should be comparable to the big shooters ( like Bob Barker and Richard Dawson ) over at Goodson - Todman , who were reportedly earning $ 500,000 per year . Griffin counter with an offer of $ 400,000 and , in an unusual move , NBC pledged to make up the difference . However , for some reason that offer rubbed Griffin the wrong mode , and he threatened to moveWheelto CBS . NBC back down and Griffin handed Woolery his walking papers . The two men , who had once been good booster , never spoke to one another again for the rest of Merv Griffin ’s life .
7. Taking Advantage of a Ratings Geyser
Hagman was quite candid about the spot in interview after the fact : " If you ’ve got a prospect to make it … then make it ! Frankly I do n’t think anyone is worth that kind of money . I conceive it ’s ludicrous except that ’s the way it is . I would be a fool not to take reward of it . " As it turn out , his bargaining berth was n’t quite as set in pit as he believed ; behind the scenes , plans were underway for Robert Culp to assume the role of J.R. Ewing if necessary . J.R. would first seem swathe in bandages , you see , and when the netting was finally removed and Culp ’s nerve revealed , it would be explicate that J.R. had required panoptic plastic operating room as a upshot of his gunshot wound . Hagman persist AWOL for the first two episodes of the third season ( bandaged organic structure dual Ace Moore was used in his stead ) , but détente was finally achieved and Larry Hagman return to circularise his oleaginous evil ooze around Southfork for twelve more seasons .
