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Emmys are nice, but it's a hefty paycheck that really counts. Talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey knows a bit about both. According to TVGuide.com, she earns $315 million a year from her syndicated talk show.
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"House" star Hugh Laurie is the highest paid dramatic actor on TV, earning $400,000 per episode. The British actor has been nominated for an Emmy five times, including this year, but has yet to take home the hardware.
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"Today" show co-host Matt Lauer earns one of the heftiest paychecks in TV news - $16 million a year. His "Today" co-host Meredithy Viera, seen with him, comes in at $11 million a year.
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"Americana Idol" host Ryan Seacrest is among the best paid of the reality TV stars. According to TVGuide.com, he earns $15 million a year.
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Jon Cryer, seen holding his 2009 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for "Two and a Half Men," reportedly earns $550,000 an episode.
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"Desperate Housewives" stars Marcia Cross, right, Eva Longoria Parker, second right, Teri Hatcher, second left, and Felicity Huffman, third left, earn $400,000 an episode They are shown here with co-star Nicolette Sheridan and show creator Marc Cherry.
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Actor Mark Harmon of "NCIS" also earns $375,000.
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Actor David Caruso of "CSI: Miami" also earns $375,000 per episode. He is seen here arriving at the Museum of Television and Radio's annual gala in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Oct. 30, 2006.
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Actor Laurence Fishburne, seen at the National Dream Dinner Gala at the Kennedy Center on Nov. 13, 2006, is one of the newer cast members of "CSI." But he still earns $350,000 an episode.
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"Closer" star Kyra Sedgwick visits "The Late Show with David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on July 12, 2010, in New York. She earns $350,000 an episode.
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Actor Denis Leary, pictured at the Vanity Fair party for the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival in New York on April 20, 2010, also earns $350,000 an episode for his work on "Rescue Me."
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"CSI: N.Y." actor Gary Sinise, seen at the CBS CW Showtime press tour party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on July 28, 2010, earns $275,000 per episode.
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Actor and race car driver Patrick Dempsey talks to the media on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, at the Homestead-Miami International Speedway in Homestead, Fla. He earns $250,000 per episode for his role on "Grey's Anatomy"
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Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, is seen at a party for "The Simpsons Movie" in Los Angeles. He and Julie Kavner, who voices Marge Simpson, earn $400,000 per episode.
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"30 Rock" actress Tina Fey attends the 2010 NBC Upfront presentation at The Hilton Hotel on May 17, 2010, in New York. She earns $350,000 per episode for her work.
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Actor Jeremy Piven, seen before the Floyd Mayweather Jr./Shane Mosley fight on May 1, 2010, in Las Vegas, earns $250,000 per episode for his "Entourage" role as agent Ari Gold.
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Actor Angus T. Jones arrives at Warner Bros. Pictures' premiere of "Fred Claus" at Grauman's Chinese Theater on Nov. 3, 2007, in Los Angeles. He earns $250,0000 per episode for "Two and a Half Men."
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Judge Judy Sheindlin earns $45 million a year for her daytime court program "Judge Judy."
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CBS late-night talk-show host David Letterman earns $28 million a year for "The Late Show."
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Brian Williams, of the "NBC Evening News with Brian Williams" attends the 2006 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour on July 21, 2006. He earns $12.5 million a year.
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"ABC World News" anchor Diane Sawyer earns $12 million a year.
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Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly, seen here at Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World Gala on May 8, 2008, earns $10 million a year.
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Conan O'Brien performs at his "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour" on April 24, 2010, in Universal City, Calif. He earns $10 million for his new venture, "The Conan O'Brien Show."
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Lauren Graham, a cast member in "Parenthood," arrives at the premiere screening of the television show, Monday, Feb. 22, 2010, in Los Angeles. She earns $150,000 per episode, as does Dana Delany of "Body of Proof" and Jimmy Smits of "Outlaw."
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Actress Jada Pinkett Smith earns $150,000 per episode for "HawthoRNe."
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Actor LL Cool J, left, and actor Chris O'Donnell, seen at the CBS CW Showtime Summer press tour are party in San Marino, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. The two "NCIS: Los Angeles" stars each earn $125,000 per episode.
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"Entourage" cast members Adrian Grenier, left, and Kevin Dillon arrive at the premiere of the sixth season of the HBO series in Los Angeles, Thursday July 9, 2009. They each earn $200,000 per episode, as does David Duchovny of "Californication."
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Actress Miranda Cosgrove arrives for ELLE Magazine's 16th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute in Los Angeles on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. She earns $180,000 per episode for "iCarly."
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Actress Edie Falco attends the Broadway opening of "American Idiot" at the St. James Theatre on April 20, 2010, in New York. The "Nurse Jackie" star earns $175,000 per episode.
