Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Follow Big Bucks to Small Screen

The 20 biggest personalities on TV have salaries to match

By Sophie Goldstein, Newser User

Posted Oct 1, 2007 4:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – On the boob tube, prime-time stars aren't the ones who are really cashing in. Think daytime talk-show titans, a syndicated sitcom legend, and a reality humiliation expert. Forbes lists the top 20 earners:

Oprah Winfrey, $260 million
Jerry Seinfeld, $60 million
Simon Cowell, $45 million

... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

'Serpent Pastor' Dies of Snake Bite

Oosp: Romney's New App Misspells 'America'

Forbes (Source Grid »)

Money • Entertainment • Media

entertainment • Simon Cowell • Jerry Seinfeld • list • Oprah Winfrey • celebrity • Jay Leno • George Lopez • Judge Judy • Keifer Sutherland • Dr Phil

More Newser Stories

Oprah Tops List of TV's Biggest Earners—Again

She collected cool $260m; second-place Seinfeld nabbed $60m

(NEWSER) - Talk show diva Oprah Winfrey continues her reign as the Queen of Media, topping Forbes' list of 2007's 20 highest earning TV stars with a whopping $260 million. Jerry Seinfeld came in a distant second with $60 million—mostly from residuals. They were followed by Simon Cowell ($45 million), David Letterman ($40 million), Donald Trump ($32 million) and Jay Leno ($32 million). More»

Letterman on Leno: 'He's a Complete Boob'

The good doctor asks about late night wars and gets an earful

(NEWSER) - Leave it to Dr. Phil to get David Letterman to really open up about Jay Leno. The TV doc asked the Late Show host about the latest round of late night wars, and Letterman took it all the way back to 1975, when he and Leno first met. “He’s so engaging, so compelling, you can’t not love him,” Letterman said. “But then there’s also this other side of him, and I think he would own up to it, he’s just a complete boob. He can’t help himself.” More»

Day 1 of X Factor: Brit a Drama Queen?

Spears dogged by rumors that she stormed out of taping

(NEWSER) - New judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato had their first X Factor taping yesterday, and of course there were rumors of bad behavior. TMZ reports that Spears stormed off the set upset after a contestant did a less-than-stellar version of her song "Hold It Against Me," forcing the next four contestants to audition in front of the remaining judges while her seat stayed empty. But Spears tweeted a denial, the New York Daily News reports: "#Britneywalksoff??? LOL was just taking a little break, people. I am having the BEST time!!!" More»

Forbes ' Most Powerful Celeb Is ... J.Lo?!

Jennifer Lopez manages comeback to top annual list

(NEWSER) - Jennifer Lopez went from superstar to has-been … and has now apparently swung back to superstar. The American Idol judge tops the latest Celebrity 100, Forbes ’ annual list of the stars with the most money and fame , with $52 million in earnings over the past year. In addition to her new Idol gig, she’s gotten quite a bit of publicity thanks to her divorce, big endorsement deals, a clothing line and fragrance, and tons of fans and followers on social media. More»

Oprah Staging Wedding to Save Network: Tab

And Stedman Graham will get a $100M prenup for the pleasure: source

(NEWSER) - How to save her failing network: Get married on live TV! That's Oprah Winfrey's plan, insiders tell the National Enquirer . Oprah's romantic proposal to longtime partner Stedman Graham reportedly included an offer of a $100 million "prenup" and the tearful line, "You're the only one who can save the day." Her fall nuptials will rival even the royal wedding, a TV insider says, plus there will be months of riveting programming beforehand covering every tiny detail, from dress shopping to invitation engraving to selecting the site, food, and band. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Follow Big Bucks to Small Screen

The 20 biggest personalities on TV have salaries to match

entertainment • Simon Cowell • Jerry Seinfeld • list • Oprah Winfrey • celebrity • Jay Leno • George Lopez • Judge Judy • Keifer Sutherland • Dr Phil

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Oprah Tops List of TV's Biggest Earners—Again

She collected cool $260m; second-place Seinfeld nabbed $60m

Letterman on Leno: 'He's a Complete Boob'

The good doctor asks about late night wars and gets an earful

Day 1 of X Factor: Brit a Drama Queen?

Spears dogged by rumors that she stormed out of taping

Forbes ' Most Powerful Celeb Is ... J.Lo?!

Jennifer Lopez manages comeback to top annual list

Oprah Staging Wedding to Save Network: Tab

And Stedman Graham will get a $100M prenup for the pleasure: source

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?