'Big Bang Theory' Season 8 Episode 1 in Jeopardy? Cast Still Without Contracts
There's trouble in the land of comedy.
The hit CBS sitcom, "The Big Bang Theory," is having some behind-the-scenes challenges prior to their scheduled eighth season return. The series was renewed for another three years and this means the show will be moving forward until its 10th season.
Given the casting blend, successful plot and unique show elements, "The Big Bang Theory" is being compared to the highly successful "Friends" sitcom that went off the air exactly after 10 seasons, 10 years ago.
With the success of the show and three year pick up, the stars, namely, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco are doing it like "Friends" and seeking larger pay out per episode. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the trio is looking to bank, from $350,000 per half-hour episode, to $1 million.
"They're expected to negotiate together; Helberg and Nayyar also are looking for increases and will negotiate together. Emmy nominee Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch have already inked new deals with WBTV, with both securing raises," said THR.
The show's first episode remains scheduled to air Monday, Sept. 22 with production for the upcoming season slated to begin July 30. However, CBS remains unfazed regarding the stand-still.
"We're feeling very confident that everything will work out," said CBS' Nina Tassler, per E! Online. "These deals manage to get done miraculously somehow year after year."
As per their previous contracts, Deadline writes that Galecki, Parsons and Cuoco were receiving $350,000 per episode along with ownership of 0.25 point of the series' backend. Under the new deal they aim to walk away with, they'll get a hefty $650,000 per episode raise along with a larger piece of the lucrative backend.
Giving his two-cents in the salary negotiations, "Big Bang Theory" creator, Chuck Lorre, tells E! Online that he believes that the cast isn't demanding anything they don't deserve.
"Everybody should be very successful and happy and rich. They earned it. It's a great cast. Great cast. It's their time." Similar to CBS, Lorre adds that production won't be an issue since there was a similar experience during the last renewal negotiations. The cast were also down to the wire when it came to signing their contracts.
"Big Bang" is presently the highest-rated scripted show on television.
Let us know what you think of the nearly triple pay increase Galecki, Parsons and Cuoco stand to gain in the negotiations. Do you think it's well-deserved or too large a demand?