CBS’ The Big Bang Theory is the highest-rated comedy on television and, as it enters its seventh season, the show’s cast is looking to get some sizable paychecks for their services. Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch have already received raises and the rest of the cast is heading to the negotiation table with Warner Bros. TV and CBS.
Deadline first reported that Bialik and Rauch, who play Amy and Bernadette, respectively, both renegotiated their contracts. Sources for the site say the two were making $20,000-$30,000 per episode, but their new deal bumps that up to as much as $60,000 for the sixth season. They could see an increase to as much as $100,000 by the end of the year and they also added another year to their contracts.
The next step for series producer WBTV and CBS is to renegotiate the deals Johnny Galecki, Alyssa Cuoco and Jim Parsons agreed to after talks in 2010. They are expected to negotiate together, while Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar will negotiate in a third group.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that Cuoco, Parsons (who has won Emmys for his role as Sheldon) and Galecki currently earn $325,000 per episode. TV Guide reported back in August that they may seek $1 million per episode.
Deadline notes that WBTV also has to negotiate license fees with CBS at the end of this season, since the current deal was only renewed for the seventh season.
WBTV didn’t comment for THR’s report, but the members of the Big Bang cast certainly have a point in seeking a raise. The show’s popularity has never been higher, as new episodes on CBS beat the competition nearly every night last season and repeats draw big numbers for TBS.
image: CBS