Friends will return for a 10th season under a deal in which NBC will pay as much as $10 million an episode, an increase from the current $7 million, the highest price ever for a 30-minute show, and a sign of just how desperate the network is to cling to the hit comedy that has single-handedly boosted its fortunes.The deal is for 18 new episodes — less than the 22 episodes NBC had been seeking. But it’s a compromise acceptable to the network and the six cast members, who have begun pondering life beyond the series: Jennifer Aniston was reluctant to commit to a full season as she wants to start a family with husband Brad Pitt.Cast members, who already earn $1 million an episode, are not expected to receive raises, sources said. A Warner Bros. spokeswoman confirmed, ‘‘We have a tentative agreement,’’ but declined to comment on any specifics. The deal marks the end — at least for now — to one of the season’s biggest behind-the-scenes question marks. From People magazine cover stories to reports on Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood, members of the cast — Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courtney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry — have been asked endlessly in recent interviews about whether this season would be the end for the series.Some had expressed sadness; a few hinted they might want to continue. Despite bringing back Friends, NBC and Warner Bros. are not out of the money woods yet. Still looming is the renegotiation for the political drama The West Wing, which is expected to be another costly deal for both. (LATWP)
