The suspense surrounding popular CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory has finally come to what will hopefully be a satisfying close. The show will begin production for its eighth season next Wednesday, Aug. 6.

We have been covering the contract negotiations surrounding the cast of The Big Bang Theory and the struggle to come to a resolution. Most recently, it was reported Friday that the cast was still in talks with Warner Brothers Television and that Wednesday was the target date to begin production.

According to Deadline, that goal has been met. However, it is still reported that stars Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar do not have contracts and are still in talks with Warner Brothers Television. Variety reports that the show's stars, their reps and Warner Brothers TV are hoping to reach an agreement by Sunday night.

There has been speculation as to what the specific cause of the production delay is. Some suspect that the actors' pay expectations are unrealistic while other sources have told Variety that the show's actors feel that out of fairness they should receive a percentage of the show's profits.

The haggling over contracts comes as a surprise to those who saw the set of The Big Bang Theory as being a cohesive and conflict-free set. At this point, the hope is that the negotiating will conclude by Sunday or Monday to eliminate any further production delays which will harm the show's crew the most.
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