Question for people in the TV industry...

So a friend of mine recently posted on facebook asking for donations from friends to help her start her TV show. Here's the gist of her post:

It sounds fishy to me. As a denizen of the theatre, I know that unless it's either a class or an agent, anyone asking you for money to help further your career is probably scamming you. But I have no idea about how TV production works. I mean, this girl isn't a working professional, she's only 20, so I worry about her getting scammed. So is this probably a bullshit scam or am I being paranoid?

[disclaimer]I don't work in the film/TV industry.[/disclaimer]

BUT, it sure as hell sounds fishy to me. Don't people usually get paid even for pilots? NOT, have to pay for them...? [note: the Seinfeld episode where they make the pilot episode and they try to bargain for more money]. I'd ask FearTheReaper he's worked in TV before.

totally ridiculous. At worst the production company would advance the money and then recoup it if the show gets picked up by a network.