So much for keeping The Big Bang Theory on schedule. Despite CBS’ confidence that the network and Warner Bros. TV would get the ongoing contract battle with the cast settled soon, production on season eight has been delayed.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter and other sites, WBTV conceded that production was not able to start today as planned. The cast was supposed to get together for the first table read, but superstars Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki are still without contracts. Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar are also without deals.
That leaves Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch as the only main stars with contracts for the upcoming season. They are on a different timetable from the other five, as they joined the show later. Both of them got raises before last season.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the contract talks would likely delay prodction. However, CBS was confident that everything would be settled. That hasn’t happened.
Seeing as BBT is now the most-watched sitcom on telvision, stars Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco are looking for a huge pay raise. THR reports that the three are only paid $350,000 per episode and are hoping for $1 million per show now. They also want a piece of the back-end profits, which, as the show is already a syndicated hit as well, could be huge.
The new season of the show is scheduled to premiere on Sept. 22.
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