‘Big Bang Theory’ Stars Get New Huge Contracts

As we previously reported, lead stars for The Big Bang Theory were delaying production over contract negotiations. Now it appears that Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco have agreed to new three-year contracts which will give them a million dollars per episode. Parsons was the first to sign a deal on Sunday, followed by Galecki and Cuoco. It was under “favored nations” terms, giving the three equal standing. In seasons 8-10, there will be 72 episodes (that’s $72 million each!). There has also been talk of an eleventh season down the road.

Additionally, the deals also include signing bonuses, production deals and back-end advances. It’s a huge increase from their $350,000 per episode. Their ownership of the show also went up from 0.25 to over a point. Parsons’ contract includes a production deal including TV, movies and theater. Galecki and Cuoco have the same deal. Galecki recently produced a comedy project for Warner Bros TV last season, No Place Like Home, for FOX.

The total amount that the three will make from the deal is at least $90 million, but it could get as high as $100 million if the show remains strong in syndication. However, Warner Bros. TV is still set to make $1 billion in profits.

Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik already signed for season eight while negotiations with Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar are ongoing. A table read is planned for Wednesday, and the deals are expected to close shortly. Helberg and Nayyar raised their per-episode fee to over $100,000 in 2010 are hoping to get an amount close to their co-stars. If the deals can be set before Wednesday, the season will only be a week behind schedule. WBTV hopes they can make up the difference later in the season to avoid cutting the episodes down to 23 instead of 24.

The eighth season begins on September 22 with an hour-long premiere.

Photo Credit: CBS

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