I interviewed Lindsay Lohan on Friday afternoon. She was very late asusual, but I’m used to that with her. I had nothing important to race to soI hung out in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel talking to a wise man inTV. He’s a very popular personality, someone I consider a friend, and wehad a great discussion.
When people think they know how much money somebody makes, especially in TV where it’s our job to make it look easy and it turns out to be a lot… it’s harmful tosaid personality. It has been widely reported and people think they know how much Katie Couric made at “The Today Show,” give or take a few million (15 mil per year),they know how much Meredith Vieira is getting to replace her (10 mil); they think theyknow Matt Lauer’s contract was adjusted to reflect his seniority (13 mil peryear).
Nobody knows what Regis makes; nor Diane Sawyer, or Nancy O’Dell. The guy I was talking to recently finished a new contract – he did very well. But nobodywill know the terms of the deal and how much is involved, because peoples’perceptions of you can and likely will change.
I do believe women on TV stand to suffer more grief from people knowing howrich they are, and men less, because of traditional, imbedded sexism. Butstill, while it may pump a certain person’s ego (do not discount the agentwho orchestrated the deal) it turns people off.
So, in summation, I will work hard to ensure nobody ever knows how much Imake…. (Note: if it’s embarrassingly low compared to others, I will becovered under this valued principle).
After a shake and a hug with my mystery friend, it was back to my interviewroom for Lindsay. She came, the interview went decently, and I leftrealizing this about her: She is very tainted by press interviews and now instinctively feels like everybody’s out to get her. She’s been through a lot for a 19-year-old… one who made almost 8 million dollars for her current film, ‘Just MyLuck.’ One step towards getting press people to lay off might be to keepthem in the dark about how much money you’re making – it only makes you lessreal and harder to truly accept.
Finally, how about this new Web site… sweet, huh?
Congrats and thanks to our IT and Web Masters – Jeremy, Eric and Jenna – wenow dominate online as well.
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