Barney's recent discussion with Adam about not expecting to live through the experiment reminded me that I hadn't ever asked this question. At that point of the show, it seemed they really might have been writing Frid out of it. Does anyone know whether he was in negotiation for more money at that time?
Frid told Curtis at some point (probably around this time) to create another major character who would shoulder some of the burden in carrying the show which is what Barnabas came to do. This is how the character of Quentin came to be. The character of Barnabas was on more than most of the others and in every storyline. On top of that, Frid was the principal actor used to promote the series across the country so that meant working after hours and weekends too along with doing cross country publicity tours plus radio, TV and print interviews during the week. That's a pretty tall order so I don't blame the man for wanting less to do than he had been doing.
Frid later kidded that he was probably slitting his own throat making the demand for another male lead, but ultimately he was pleased at what David Selby brought to the show. I'm sure fans agree with that particularly the legion of Selby/Quentin fans out there.
Someone asked Frid at a Q&A in December, 2002 how much money he made during DS and he said that it was above the minimum but "not that much above." None of the actors on DS were paid that well. The actors were paid a flat fee for the merchandising and subsequently made no more money on merchandising when when it was renewed with the syndication of the series. That's all Dan Curtis' money.
Any significant money the actors made from the series was in the publicity tours and stunts they participated in.
Those happened on the weekends or during a week or few days an actor wasn't on the show.
Robert Rodan asked for a raise and his character wound up with a one way trip to the closet. That happened with a few actors - asked for a raise and the character was written out.
Initially for his own reasons Frid thought the show (and himself) would benefit having another major character and he was certainly right. I don't know if he threatened the powers that be or not, but obviously they decided to make the move and create Quentin.
DS certainly benefited from having Quentin and David Selby added to the show. It added a whole other dimension. Frid also said in some interviews at the time that Selby didn't get the credit he deserved for what he brought to the show. But I know fans sure appreciate and give Selby the credit he deserves, LOL!!
Nancy
