‘Friends’ Returns to TV

[savafan]

http://www.hollywood.com/news/detail/id/3477372

HOLLYWOOD - Seminal sitcom Friends is returning to television after each of its six stars agreed multi-million dollar deals to star in four one-hour specials.
In a secret meeting before Christmas, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry reportedly agreed a $5 million apiece deal with NBC bosses in Los Angeles.

Scriptwriters have already started penning lines for the four double episodes, which are due to air next year.

Aniston, who has filmed a string of movies since the final Friends episode, was the last to agree to the new deal.

An NBC insider says, "She's the one who had been holding out. But she's now agreed to reprise Rachel (Green).

"Bringing them back is a dream come true. Ratings will go through the roof."

Network bosses have also hinted at a second spin-off of the hit comedy, following the disappointing performance of Matt LeBlanc's show Joey. The new program will see the three male stars--Perry, Schwimmer and LeBlanc--pilot a series called It's A Guy Thing.

An NBC spokesperson confirms, "Negotiations on future projects are going on all the time."

[Puffy]

Is this true or is this one of them there hoax thingys?

[KronoRed]

If this is true oh WOW is that sad.

It's only been a year..are they already that desperate? actors and NBC

Wait..I question this based on the further info about another spinoff.

[savafan]

I heard this on Rich Walberg's Showbiz Stuff this AM on 700 WLW. Take that for what it is worth.

[Caveat Emperor]

The half-hour sitcom format is totally dead, as far as I'm concerned. There hasn't been anyone writing anything remotely edgy or funny for live-action television since ABC canceled Dennis Leary's The Job a few years back, and the only thing keeping the genre from total death is the fact that some animated series like Family Guy continue to be entertaining.

It's all stale, and it's all been done to death. Trying to grab on to some last bit of nostalgia associated with "Friends" is just a desperate grab for ratings by NBC.

Still, 4 episodes would be three more than Courting Alex got.

[RBA]

Looks like my prediction of "Joey" being canceled this year is right on the mark.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

Still, 4 episodes would be three more than Courting Alex got.

Actually Courting Alex starring Jenna Elfman debuts tonight.

I believe you are talking about Emily's Reasons Why Not which starred Heather Graham and was cancelled after only one episode.

Yes, I need a life.

[savafan]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

Still, 4 episodes would be three more than Courting Alex got.

It's been canned already?

FWIW, I really like the show "How I Met Your Mother"

Shows like "Courting Alex" and "Emily's Reasons Why Not" that go up against Fox's "24" aren't going to stand a chance.

[Dom Heffner]

You know you've seen enough sitcoms when you start predicting the punch lines of jokes before they happen. I dit hat like three times the other night while watching some lame sitcom.

I wih they'd hurry up and create something that will knowck off some of these lame-brained reality shows. Anything to do with dating or marrying is just awful, and then these people become celebrities just because they have blonde hair and really white teeth.

[Dom Heffner]

If you try and edit your post after you've attempted to submit it, you'll end up double posting.

I'll get this computer thing down one day, I tell you. And then I'll rule the world. Bwahahahaha.....

[Johnny Footstool]

The half-hour sitcom format is totally dead, as far as I'm concerned. There hasn't been anyone writing anything remotely edgy or funny for live-action television since ABC canceled Dennis Leary's The Job a few years back, and the only thing keeping the genre from total death is the fact that some animated series like Family Guy continue to be entertaining.

Arrested Development was edgy and funny. And Fox cancelled it.

But you're right about animated TV being the last bastion of good, funny comedy. Adult Swim shows like The Venture Brothers and The Boondocks prove that people can still write 30-minute episodic comedy that's edgy and entertaining.

[Johnny Footstool]

Actually Courting Alex starring Jenna Elfman debuts tonight.

That's the show where Jenna Elfman dances around in slow motion, right?

At least that's what the ads for the show would have me believe.

[pedro]

How can a show be cancelled after one episode? That just seems moronic. However, since I did not see the show I don't know if the show itself was more moronic than the idea of cancelling after one episode.

Anyone watch it?

As for Friends, all I can say is Malibu is expensive.

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by Puffy

Actually Courting Alex starring Jenna Elfman debuts tonight.

I believe you are talking about Emily's Reasons Why Not which starred Heather Graham and was cancelled after only one episode.

Yes, I need a life.

Eh, interchangable shows as far as I'm concerned. Both sets of commercials for the shows seemed specifically designed to induce me into unloading both barreles of a 12 guage shotgun into my temple.

That's actually my biggest pet peeve about watching football on television: being subject to all of the previews and live-reads about shows that the networks couldn't pay me to watch.

Emily's Reasons Why Not, Courting Alex, Love Monkey...watching the NFL forces one to endure a brow-beating of syngergystic advertisement for moronic sitcoms. As if watching a Bucs game isn't stressful enough...

[Joseph]

I was sure this had to be a joke.

Someone tell me it's a joke.

Please.