Is The Big Bang Theory's Cast Worth a 285% Raise?
The telegenic nerds of The Big Bang Theory are renewed for their fourth season, but months ahead of their new time-slot debut, the show's three main stairs want hefty raises: a 285-percent increase from $65,000 to $250,000 an episode. Big Bang Theory's ratings jumped in season three to about 14.2 million viewers each week, nearly double its first season draw. Still, a six-figure raise is the kind of maneuver usually associated with a bona-fide frontliner like Charlie Sheen, not ensembles (unless you count Friends). Is this trio in the wrong?
Of course they're not wrong. As Forbes reports, the cast is still requesting only a fifth of what Charlie Sheen will receive next year for returning to Two and a Half Men. Big Bang Theory is also rumored to become a bankable syndication smash since it's a hip multicam comedy, a rare thing in 2010. The show's new Thursday timeslot against the very best of competing networks also indicates that CBS believes the show is a lightning rod for an even bigger viewership -- which should seal the salary bump.
One more pressing matter: Surely Jim Parsons outclasses Charlie Sheen in terms of comic originality. In fact, he certainly does. And I'm a little angry now. Suddenly this cause is about all of us, which didn't take long. Go forth, bug-eyed kooks!
· Big Bang Theory Stars Want a 285% Raise [Forbes]
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They should certainly get more than they are getting, they are all three really talented and the show is consistently good. Perhaps they read the Movieline post which stated that the teenaged "half" of "Two and a Half Men" and Miranda Cosgrove of "iCarly" each made more than SEVEN times the money they are making. You can barely compare that to what Charlie Sheen is making, and he doesn't even have to be in character to play "Charlie" on that show.
I'd say they are worth the raise, considering how much revenue the ads and eventual syndication will generate. It's difficult for sitcom stars to find work after the show ends, so they should get what they can while they can.
I say get as much as you can when you can. It's not like they're going to be seeing much of that syndication money. It has a tendency to disappear.
Already sold the cable and synd rights for big bucks so the cast gets a piece
Strike while the iron is hot, I say. Although I won't be tuning into season 4. Characters on sitcoms have a tendency to become caricatures of themselves after about three seasons - something I noticed that was happening with Sheldon's character this year.
That’s one fifth of what Charlie Sheen makes per episode. It’s totally justified, last year Sheen was making more in two episodes than Johnny, Kaley, and Jim were making in one year. Give them the money-I’m sure Sheen doesn’t work five times as hard as them and he’s certainly not five times as good.
They've made a lot on this show, CBS has. Without those actors, there is no show, so they deserve to make more money. Every penny that network has made is because they show up and do their job, and do it so well. So yes, give it to them.