Dispute halts sitcom production

Production has halted on The Big Bang Theory as its stars fight for bigger pay packets.

Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco – who play Sheldon, Leonard and Penny – failed to turn up for rehearsals for the forthcoming eighth series as they seek to increase their pay from $325,000 per episode to $1 million.

Co-stars Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg – Raj and Howard – have also failed to turn up to work as they seek rises too.

A statement from producers Warner Bros Television said: ‘Due to ongoing contract negotiations, production on The Big Bang Theory - which was originally scheduled to begin today - has been postponed.’

The dispute has been raging since September, with the actors’ case strengthened after broadcaster CBS recommissioned the show until 2017.

Big Bang Theory averages 20 million viewers a week and the pay hike would make the stars the highest paid on TV.

Season 8 is due to start on September 22 in the US, if the dispute can be settled in time.

Published: 31 Jul 2014