On the heels of a highly rated season, the cast of “The Big Bang Theory” are looking to raise their paychecks.
According to reports, both Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, who portray Amy and Bernadette on the CBS comedy, have successfully negotiated a pay increase in new extended contracts.
Although Warner Bros. Television isn’t commenting, industry insiders have whispered that each actress will receive somewhere in the neighborhood of $60,000 per episode, roughly double their old rate of $20,000 – $30,000 an episode.
By the end of their contracts, the two stars are expected to earn roughly $100,000 an episode.
Meanwhile, co-stars Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki are expected to seek a bigger payday when their deals are up for negotiation at the end of this season. According to TV Guide, Cuoco, Parsons and Galecki are currently pulling in about $325,000 an episode, and they’re expected to ask for deals that offer $500,000 and up per episode. Some estimate that they may land close to the $1 million mark.
Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar are going to be angling for pay increases as well but as a separate group.
If that sounds expensive, keep in mind that “The Big Bang Theory” has soared in popularity, and in its sixth season was the most-watched scripted comedy on TV.
The show is also well-represented at the Emmys this Sunday, where star Parsons is nominated for a best comedic actor award, Bialik is up for a best supporting actress in a comedy Emmy, and the show itself is vying for the best comedy series honor.
“The Big Bang Theory” will start its seventh season on CBS September 26.
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