Season 8 of The Big Bang Theory is mercifully being delayed over contract disputes between Warner Bros. TV and Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kayley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar. According to E! Online, the contract standoff has been going on for a while, but it’s only now that the impasse is beginning to affect production.

Big Bang Theory Cast
The contract standoff is becoming a problem.

 

Despite this, officials at WBTV aren’t worried. Earlier in July, CBS Chief Nina Tassler said at the TSA Press Tour: “We're feeling very confident that everything will work out. These deals manage to get done miraculously somehow year after year.”

Supporting actors Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, who were not series regulars at the beginning, have already finished negotiations and signed their contracts. However, all of the five remaining actors are targeting significant pay raises, with Parsons, Cuoco and Galecki reportedly after Friends-level pay rates. By the time the iconic sitcom ended in 2004, each of its four stars was making $1 million per episode.

Big Bang Theory Cast
CBS and Warner Bros. officials are still optimistic.

 

It’s unlikely that CBS will grant the BBT stars the same kind of money, but creator Chuck Lorre is none the less optimistic: "It will be fine. Warner Brothers has done this before. Everybody should be very successful and happy and rich. They earned it. It's a great cast. Great cast. It's their time."

More: Why Is The Big Bang Theory Such A Hit Again?

 

Barring any further production delays, The Big Bang Theory is set to return to CBS on Monday, September 22 at 8PM. It will then reclaim its Thursday timeslot.

Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons [l] and his two main co-stars are reportedly demanding significant pay raises.