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Originally Posted by limacharliewhiskey
Most network shows have actors under that 7-year contract, where the 8th year is when actors can negotiate much higher contracts, which is how actors negotiate and get the $1 million per episode for shows like Friends and Frasier. That's why most shows tend to stop at 7 seasons, because the networks don't want to pay the astronomical amounts unless the show is a ratings winner. The highest figure I ever read about was the $1.4 million per episode that Kelsey Grammer got in the final season of Frasier.
A spinoff is possible, but usually the lead actors can negotiate at least a 6-figure per episode salary. Will the CW pony up the money for it? Last show I read about lead actors getting $100k per episode were the Nip/Tuck guys for this season. Despite being on FX, Nip/Tuck seems to get the 2nd highest ratings in the 18-49 demographic on Tuesdays, thus making the actors worth the salary bump.
I don't think Smallville brings in stellar ratings the 18-49 demo.
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Ah, great insider information that I was not aware of! Thanks for sharing that! Well, considering that the CW doesn't have the budget to pay that kind of money, then I'm feeling that this is Smallville's swan song. Even though it gets some of the highest ratings, outside of Friday Night Wrestling for the CW, it doesn't pull in that much to justify that high a wage.
The good news is that hopefully that means Supernatural stays around longer, because the CW will need some legacy shows to keep viewership up. Perhaps it can get Smallville's less competitive time slot and see how much better it does in the ratings.