Breathe easy, Big Bang Theory fans – Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar have finally agreed on the terms of their new contracts.
While the two didn’t manage to get the same $1 million per episode salary as Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco, they did walk away with a hefty raise after Tuesday’s negotiations. Helberg and Nayyar will now be earning $500,000 per episode, substantially higher than their previous $100,000 rate, reports TV.com.
Helberg and Nayyar had been holding out for salary parity with the other main stars, but were forced to cave when the studio threatened to write them out of the show if they didn’t accept the offered terms.
In a statement released by Variety, Warner announced that production on season eight would begin Wednesday, August 6. Production was scheduled to begin July 30, but experienced delays due to the extended contract negotiations.
It was previously speculated that an episode might have to be cut due to the delays, but it has been confirmed that the original order of 24 episodes for the season remains intact.
Big Bang Theory season eight premieres Monday, September 22 at 8 p.m. on CBS.
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