The show goes on, even after 50

EARLIER this month, Carrie Fisher went out to New York for the upfronts -- that's when the TV networks trot out their new programs. Unfortunately, she brought along a flu she got from her daughter, 14. She serves as a judge on Fox's reality series "The Lot," a boot camp/competition for aspiring filmmakers. She's also written a number of books, the latest of which, "The Best Awful," will allegedly be an HBO miniseries starring Meg Ryan.

What did you learn at the upfronts?

That people are essentially good. No. I learned that Arby's has a budget of $150 million to spend per year, but that the pharmaceutical and car companies have two to three times that. And that one commercial on "American Idol" costs half a million dollars. That's what I learned.

Ah, the real business of TV.

That was the most interesting conversation I had. Before I disintegrated into symptoms.

What have you seen of New York? Have things changed?

I lived here for about 15 years. It changes a lot, but a lot of things stay the same. I like it here. The city's easier if you're young. But if you have your little niche, then it's manageable. It's much better than L.A. in the sense that you're always hooked up to this vitality. And in L.A. you have to really negotiate that. You have to organize that for yourself. Here you have to just go outside.

And what is Los Angeles like now -- pretend you're telling an alien.

Los Angeles is a company town. It's a showbiz town. So that's its massive downside. You know, it supports the show business industry. Its kind of upside is that it's got really good weather. But you know, if that's your upside, I don't know if that's good. But here's the thing with any place: The place is wherever your friends are. So you've gotta make sure you carve out a little tribe for yourself.

As the mommy of a youngster, how do the tribes work?

You know, I think you have to battle certain, um, principles .... The thing that's sort of everywhere is the clothes and the kids, their emphasis is on what designer they like, or what kid has the biggest house, or pool -- well, not that anymore. But they certainly [care] who's dressing the best. Now that could happen anywhere. Maybe it happens a little more there. And the worst thing, I think, that the West Coast came up with is "like." You know it's, like, you know, it's like ...

For those of us who grew up in and around the Valley, it's a permanent affliction.