Collins leaves Brits behind

Press, 13 November 1985, Page 18

Collins leaves Brits behind

By

ROBIN CHARTERIS

London correspondent To her poor relations left behind in British television, “Dynasty” star Joan Collins is living in another world. Soap opera stars in Britain would be lucky to earn as much as her hairdresser, says Michael Grade, the contoller of 8.8. C. 1, the man responsible for Britain’s newest popular soap opera, “Eastenders.”

Miss Collins is reported by Fleet Street newspapers to have been offered £50,000 (?NZ126,000) a show to continue her portrayal of the superbitch Alexis in the American series. That would take her salary to about £1.5 million (SNZ3.B million) a year.

Actors in the twiceweekly “Eastenders” average about £350 ($NZ880) a week. Only three in the cast earn more than £425 (SNZIO7O), said Mr Grade. Even on “Coronation Street,” Britain’s most popular long-running programme, average weekly salaries are only £7OO (?NZ1765). Top stars may occasionally pull in more than Miss Collins, but without the extras. She is said to have been offered unlimited expenses while shooting or not, her full “Dynasty” wardrobe plus a clothing allowance, a chauffeured limousine and her own masseur on set. Is she worth all that?

According to Britain’s “Sunday Times” television commentator, Sue Summer, those in the industry say the “Dynasty” makers could probably double her salary again and hardly notice the difference.

Aaron Spelling, the multimillionaire producer who

makes the show, receives £1 million (JNZ2.52 million) for each hour-long episode on the A.B.C. television network.

Overseas sales bring him at least another £200,000 ($NZ504,000) an episode on top, and there are more millions to be made out of selling the repeat rights. Most of it comes down to market size and advertising revenue. The three big United States networks, C. 8.5., N.B.C. and A.8.C., together earn three times as much as the 15 I.T.V. companies in Britain (the 8.8. C. receives no. advertising revenue at all, although this is under review). The profits on one hit show in the United States pay for 20 to 25 other projects that are flops, say industry sources. In Britain, there is good money to be made from popular drama series such as “Minder” and “Dempsey and Makepeace.” While British actors are more reticent about their earnings, it is thought that Dennis Waterman and George Cole, of “Minder,” have been paid up to £30,000 ($NZ75,600) an episode, and American actor Michael Brandon, who plays Dempsey, is likely to earn about £25,000 (?NZ63,000). Overseas sales can almost double these figures. But even Miss Collins’ supposed new contract, still not confirmed, cannot match that of some of America’s top comedy performers. Bill Cosby, a number one hit, is reported to be paid a minimum of SUSIOO,OOO ($NZ182,000) an episode. And since he owns a large stake of the show, it is said that when repeat rights are sold he stands to make up to SUSI6O million (SNZ29O million).