Friends Cast Returning For Reunion Show in the Works With HBO Max

The Friends reunion show comes with a big price. A reunion episode of the popular sitcom has been in the works. It looks like it could come to fruition. Deadline reported that all six stars of the original show have reached a deal to create a one-off special for the streaming platform, HBO Max. Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry reached an agreement with Warner Bros. for an hour-long special.

According to the Deadline report, negotiations were “tough.” And they came with a hefty price tag. Negotiations first stalled at the end of 2019, which had nothing to do with money. Actors and the network couldn’t reach an agreement. All six stars will be paid between $3 to $4 million for appearing on the show. The total cost of the show is $20 million, according to Deadline. While this may come as shock to some people, it’s like what Netflix has paid for hour-long comedy specials from the likes of Dave Chapelle and Ellen DeGeneres.

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It’s not just the six actors that are involved with the special. Friends creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman are also involved with the reunion special. The special will tease the return of Friends to the streaming platform. The show left Netflix at the end of 2019 and will arrive to HBO Max soon. It could debut on HBO Max in May 2020. It’s been rumored that WarnerMedia paid $85 million per year to have Friends for up to five years.

Some have complained about the expense for a one-hour special. According to digital media strategist, Matthew Ball, Friends is one of the most in-demand sitcoms in pop culture. Such a franchise would demand a high price tag, claims Ball. “People want it. People will watch it. It will be popular and notable,” Ball confidently tweeted. “That’s what programming spend is for?”

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The show made $1 billion every year from syndication alone. All six stars from the original series earned $20 million a year based on their 2% share of syndication revenue, according to a USA Today report. What are your thoughts on the cost for an hour-long Friends reunion special? Are you excited over the news? Sound off below in the comments section.