Summary
- Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch negotiated new contracts with a massive pay raise and a development component clause.
- The other main cast members of The Big Bang Theory took a pay cut to help Bialik and Rauch get their raise, showcasing strong camaraderie.
- Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar faced troubled negotiations and were almost written off the show during season 8, but ultimately received a major pay raise.
CBS and Warner Bros wanted The Big Bang Theory to continue on past season 12. However, it wasn't meant to be. In truth, despite the show's obvious success, there were some negotiation issues behind the scenes. As we'll reveal in the following, certain cast members only got a boost because of the classy acts of their co-stars. In addition, it seems like Warner Bros. didn't want to reveal all the contract details, and that held true for Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch's new deals during the final two seasons.
In the following, we're going to take a look back at what went on during the negotiations, and how Bialik and Rauch were able to ink new contracts with a big raise. As it turns out, negotiations were problematic for others, and that especially held true for Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar.
Let's take a closer look.
Mayim Bialik And Melissa Rauch Had A 'Development Component' Clause In Their Contracts
Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch were able to reach an agreement for a massive pay raise. However, it seemed like the studio was willing to discuss all the terms. According to Variety, Bialik and Rauch reached new deals, but there was an interesting clause in their new contracts which dictated a development component for both stars. However, more info on the contract clause was not revealed by the studio and CBS.
Variety writes, "According to insiders with knowledge of the negotiations, the deal will pay Bialik and Rauch $500,000 per episode for 48 episode. The deals are believed to include a separate development component for both actors. A representative for Warner Bros. Television declined to comment."
As for the pay increase, it was a steep climb up for Bialik and Rauch who were previously making $200,000, and set for a big leap at $500,000. This was especially important given that at the time, Big Bang had just signed a deal for two extra seasons.
It was a huge moment for both stars. However, the other main cast members were a major reason for the pay upgrade.
Mayim Bialik And Melissa Rauch Got A Steep Salary Increase Thanks To The Other Main Big Bang Theory Cast Members
During the negotiations, Variety revealed that Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch were seeking parity in their new contracts. Given that the other main stars had signed huge deals at seven figures, it looks like the studio was less inclined to give Bialik and Rauch a hefty raise. Ultimately, it was Simon Helberg, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar and Kaley Cuoco that all played a role in getting the two stars a pay raise.
Variety revealed, "According to multiple sources, the five original cast members on the show – Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg — made the extraordinary gesture of taking a small pay cut to free up money for raises for Bialik and Rauch."
The publication continues, "The move is evidence of the strong camaraderie among the key players on the show that remains primetime’s most-watched comedy. The general harmony behind the scenes has also contributed to the show’s enduring creative strength, bolstered by the comedic chops of the core ensemble."
It turned out to be a major positive for Bialik and Rauch who both made the highest salaries of their careers during the final two seasons. However, negotiations on The Big Bang Theory weren't always smooth. In fact, two main stars were almost kicked off the show after troubled negotiations weren't going anywhere with both sides divided.
Negotiations Weren't As Smooth For Simon Helberg And Kunal Nayyar
That's right, Chuck Lorre was almost forced to write Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar off the Big Bang Theory during season 8. Both Helberg and Nayyar's reps were working together trying to get the duo similar deals compared to Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons. However, the process wasn't that simple, and Warner Bros wasn't budging.
Production was set to resume once the new deals for Helberg and Nayyar were finally set, but things came close to taking a terrible turn. Variety revealed, "The actors’ rep was advised that their characters would be written out of the series if a deal could not be reached."
"Exec producers Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro were so frustrated by the prolonged negotiations that they were in the process of preparing a script that did not involve Helberg or Nayyar’s characters in order to move forward with the first table read of the season."
We can't even imagine the scenario of Chuck Lorre and company having to write Helberg and Nayyar off the show. That would not have been a popular decision with Big Bang fans. Thankfully, after tough negotiations, it all worked out for the duo. Like Bialik and Rauch, the two ultimately got a major pay raise as well.
