'Big Bang Theory' season 8 production on hold over contract dispute

Los Angeles: Production on the upcoming eighth season of The Big Bang Theory has been postponed as contract negotiations with the five original cast members are still on. Warner Bros TV has postponed the season 8 production of the CBS comedy as five original stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar are still without contracts, reported Ace Showbiz. “Due to ongoing contract negotiations, production on The Big Bang Theory- which was originally scheduled to begin today - has been postponed,” the studio says in a statement. [caption id=“attachment_1126951” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons. AFP[/caption] The production was scheduled to kick off, but Parsons, Galecki, Cuoco, Helberg and Nayyar, who have been seeking hefty pay raises, remain without new contracts. The contract negotiations began in September last year. Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco reportedly ask for up to $1 million an episode from their current salary of $325,000 per episode, after their co-stars Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch inked new deals that gave them substantial salary increases. CBS has planned to launch the new season of Big Bang Theory on September 22. It’s unknown if the production delay will affect the premiere date. PTI