'Big Bang Theory' Stars Sign New Deals for $90 Million Each

The Big Bang Theory is TV's No. 1 rated comedy, and now it's aiming to have TV's highest-paid cast. Lead stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco have reached an agreement with CBS that has ended the long negotiations -- which pushed back the production start date for the show’s Season 8 to this Wednesday.

Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco have signed new, three-year contracts worth $1 million an episode, a massive jump from the $300,000-per-episode they'd been making previously. In addition, perks such as signing bonuses and back-end fees are factored into the new deal, meaning that when all is said and done, the trio will likely earn roughly $90 million over that three-year period, if not more.

As for the show's co-stars, Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik are already confirmed to come back, leaving just Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar to sign new deals. Helberg and Nayyar, who earned $125,000-per-episode and $75,000-per-episode, respectively, are expected to sign new deals this week after similarly long negotiations.

The show is renewed for at least three more seasons, so barring any unforeseen circumstances, it's looking like Parsons, Galecki, and Cuoco will be $90 million richer by 2017. That's some absolutely crazy money. And given that this is TV's top comedy, CBS isn't exactly wrong to open its wallet to keep them around. Lord knows, the last thing CBS wants is another Two and a Half Men situation, where a top star leaves and the show is never the same. Gotta keep that Golden Goose producing golden eggs.

Via: TVLine

Credit: CBS