TV Salaries

One of my consulting customers asked me recently to comment and advise on his and his partner's compensation, whether they were paying themselves appropriately as they worked to bring on new staff and manage all expenses. Then I came across a chart in The Atlantic Monthly (October 2005 issue, p. 46) listing key "Television Dads" and their equivalent 2005 salaries. Here are a few of the entries:

J.R. Ewing (Dallas), a CEO: $636,094
Jed Bartlet (The West Wing), U.S. president: $400,000
Cliff Huxtable (The Cosby Show), Obstetrician: $239,028
Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke Show), TV writer: $85,192
Homer Simpson (The Simpsons), Nuclear safety inspector: $65,346
Ricky Ricardo (I Love Lucy), Bandleader: $52,155
Fred Flintstone (The Flintstones), Quarry crane operator: $37,518

My advice to my customer? Make it worthwhile to be king.