Show biz is big biz in NYC these days, according to a study by the Boston Consulting Group, which says the film and television industry generated $7.1 billion dollars in revenue for New York City last year, an increase of over $2 billion dollars annually since 2002. An estimated 130,000 people are employed by film and TV productions in the city, an increase of 30,000 jobs since 2004. Which we guess makes up for that one time a production assistant made us wait to cross the street.

This afternoon Mayor Bloomberg visited the set of Saturday Night Live to announce the rosy numbers, joined by cast members and a press gaggle that came prepared to ask the hard-hitting questions:

Despite a nationwide industry decline—and Bloomberg's refusal to host SNL—the study says 30,000 jobs were created in New York City’s filmed entertainment industry since 2004, and the sector’s spending has grown by 70 percent since 2002. The city also announced today that the Partnership for New York City’s investment fund has established a $2 million revolving loan facility to assist special effects and post-production companies that are expanding their operations here. The first loan, for $200,000 will be made to Look Effects, located in Brooklyn. (They've done work for Avatar and The Muppets.)

"Mayor Bloomberg has made diversifying New York’s economy by supporting industries like film and television, fashion, technology and tourism a centerpiece of his economic development strategy, and the report we’re releasing today confirms that the Mayor’s strategy is paying off,” Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel said in a statement. Encouraging more TV and movie production is a smart move for the mayor, but considering Bloomberg's many appearances on TV, one wonders if there's a conflict of interest here.