Recall that memorable Friends episode where the salary scales in Central Perk tilted like a seesaw, causing a bit of a ripple among the gang? Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe found themselves on the short end of the paycheck stick compared to the cushier earnings of Monica, Ross, and Chandler. In the debut season, the entire squad rode the same financial wave, each earning an equal share of the sitcom spoils.

But as the second season raced in, Ross and Rachel heated up like a hot pot on the stove, skyrocketing their salaries to a staggering $1 million per episode. Yet, co-creator Marta Kauffman unraveled an entirely different perspective on this million-dollar payday saga.

Ross and Rachel’s million-dollar heatwave in Friends

In a no-holds-barred moment at the Television Critics Association press tour, Marta Kauffman, the creative mind behind Friends, dropped a truth bomb about the cast’s jaw-dropping $1 million per episode paychecks in the final seasons. Kauffman, steering the ship for Netflix’s Grace and Frankie back in 2015, did not sugarcoat it. As per TheWrap, Kauffman labeled the million-dollar salaries as “kinda ridiculous”. She pulled no punches, questioning the practicality of such inflated figures, suggesting, “Not everybody is going to get a million dollars an episode. So I think actually what we’re all doing [now] is more reasonable and makes more sense.”

Kauffman, navigating the streaming world with shorter seasons, attributed this sanity check to the Netflix model. With a twinkle in her eye, she emphasized the perks of not having to dance to the tune of traditional network ratings. This shielded against actors leveraging a show’s popularity for a king’s ransom. Acknowledging potential future negotiations, Kauffman hinted at a pragmatic approach, leaving the door open for deals that make sense down the line.

While Kauffman may deem it “ridiculous,” the stars themselves, Aniston and Schwimmer, took measures to ensure that this hefty paycheck would not jeopardize the camaraderie on the set of Friends.

The negotiation that saved the friendship boat

Jennifer Aniston once reminisced about a critical juncture that could have torn the cast apart. As the beloved sitcom unfolded over ten seasons, Aniston, alongside her co-stars, navigated through more than just witty banter and coffee shop rendezvous. The camaraderie faced a storm during the creation of Friends Season 3 when salary discrepancies threatened to cast a shadow over their tight bonds.

Aniston, recognizing the potential tempest, along with Schwimmer, took the reins, leading negotiations like a seasoned captain ensuring fair pay for all leads. With determination, they averted the financial storm that could have sunk their friendships. The cast’s savvy negotiation not only safeguarded their unity but set sail for a triumphant voyage through seven more seasons, witnessing pay increments that soared like a shooting star until the series finale.

Do you also think that such a pay was ridiculous? Let us know in the comments below.