this seems to make the case that writers were previously overpaid way beyond normal americans, and perhaps salaries are regressing to what average americans make
B) Streaming wasn't as big back then, so TV was a much bigger part of the entertainment pie.
C) The show was profitable for FOX (at the time).
C) Truly bizarre that people on a forum bragging about making well into the 6 figures for 30 hours of work a week reinventing yet another wheel are talking shit about other people making 6 figures for 60 hours of work a week on a product regularly enjoyed by millions of people and which contribute to the progression of shared cultural experiences.
Normal Americans don't generate something that generates many millions of dollars.
What does it say about our society that the regression to the average no longer accommodates classic expectations of American life like homeownership.
That's a lot more money than the classic homeowner expectation.
But yes if it's that irregular then the height of the pay spikes is reasonable. And also being that irregular is awful.
The simpler explanation is writers were appropriately paid based on their supply and demand in previous years, and a decrease in pay in future years indicates a shift in supply and demand.