The Big Bang Theory Season 8 Filming Delayed By Salary Dispute

Those waiting for their next 22-episode dose of Sheldon being insane, Penny being a doofus and Leonard being entirely too reasonable might be waiting a little longer. Reports out of LA are saying that production has stalled on the upcoming eighth season of The Big Bang Theory, owing to ongoing contract negotiation between the cast and the studio. Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco are among the stars still trying to make a deal over their payment for the next series of the phenomenally popular CBS sitcom, which was due to return on September 22nd. Allegedly Galecki, Parsons and Cuoco are all seeking sizeable raises in their salary, which have been steadily rising from the $60,000 per episode they were paid in the first three seasons. Right now they're looking to receive something close to a cool $1 million, as well as more backend money. That amount would put them ahead of the previous best-paid stars on TV, Ashton Kutcher and Jon Cryer from Two and a Half Men, and rivals the record-breaking salaries paid to the Friends cast during their last series. Not bad for standing around all day making Star Wars jokes. In a statement, Warner Bros Television said: "Due to ongoing contract negotiations, production on The Big Bang Theory - which was originally scheduled to begin today - has been postponed." Which is a nice way of saying "these cheeky so-and-sos want even more of our money!" And they're sort of entitled to it, since the show remains the undisputed champion of American TV, with an average audience of 23.1 million in 2013-14. These meetings have been going on for a while now, with filming on the eighth season due to start...well, yesterday. But they're not. Because they want more money. The cast pulled the same stunt during 2010, only that time they didn't have much leverage. They were still contractually obligated to show up to work, regardless of how much they were gonna get paid; however, most of their contracts expired after the seventh series, meaning they're pretty much holding the show to ransom. The Big Bang Theory€˜s newest additions, Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik, signed new contracts with significant salary increases. Can we not just settle this with a friendly game of rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock?