# The end for The Big Bang Theory? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969 "2014-07-24T20:55:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/101 "2014-08-05T03:34:57Z")
They’ve danced around this idea before so there is dramatic foreshadowing. Consider this: Every character except two are making money. Bernie is probably the top wage-earner but the rest of the scientists (and engineer) at least have steady jobs. So, for the eighth season, I give you… \*\*\*Stuart and Penny Make a Porno. \*\*\* ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/102 "2014-08-05T04:21:33Z")
Penny will be having a drastic job change. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/103 "2014-08-05T04:32:11Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > Penny Sheldon and Leonard stand to make a quarter of a billion dollars combined over the next three years. Wow. I’d be a lot more okay with this if that kind of money was actually earned. But sitcom acting really isn’t worth such ridiculously excessive pay days. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/104 "2014-08-05T04:45:31Z")
It’s the number one show on TV and raking in billions for the production company and studio. That acting that you deride is worth every penny. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/105 "2014-08-05T04:53:51Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > It’s the number one show on TV and raking in billions for the production company and studio. That acting that you deride is worth every penny. I reject this justification. My point isn’t that they don’t deserve part of the show’s success, just that the sheer amount of money involved for something so simplistic as a sitcom is ridiculous, when more involving and complex shows, with larger crews, longer hours worked, and serious effort involved in the performances, don’t get a tenth of that kind of return. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/106 "2014-08-05T05:02:50Z")
I think it’s important to note that GuanoLad is saying the amounts of money paid to these people (and perhaps also the disparity among the 6 lead actors) is just unfair and unreasonable. But he is not suggesting any kind of action. He’s not suggesting we stop watching the show (although I was sorely tempted to do such a thing). He’s not suggesting some of the actors step up and demand a change be made to the money paid. He is just saying that all or part of this situation is unfair (and maybe even absurd). I would like to go along with everything he said and I can’t see much support for disagreeing with him. He’s just saying that in 2014 the money paid to these actors blows - considering everything else going on. I don’t think that I have to point to the financial collapses of the world markets or the US real estate collapse or the US employment collapse or any one of many other financial disasters. Bottom line for me? I just can’t see disagreeing with him and I would have said those things myself had I just come to this forum a few minutes earlier. I tip my hat to you, GL! ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/107 "2014-08-05T05:07:30Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I reject this justification. My point isn’t that they don’t deserve part of the show’s success, just that the sheer amount of money involved for something so simplistic as a sitcom is ridiculous, when more involving and complex shows, with larger crews, longer hours worked, and serious effort involved in the performances, don’t get a tenth of that kind of return. So what do you propose to rectify this injustice by the hand of the free market? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/108 "2014-08-05T05:57:28Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > So what do you propose to rectify this injustice by the hand of the free market? This sounds like a trick question to me. Why does he have to propose anything to rectify this injustice? I get asked these kinds of questions sometimes and no matter how I answer, people just give me a bad time about it. I really don’t appreciate when that happens to me. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/109 "2014-08-05T05:58:04Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > So what do you propose to rectify this injustice by the hand of the free market? My inability to do anything about it except rant in an inconsequential forum just adds to my many frustrations with Hollywood. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/110 "2014-08-05T06:00:22Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > I tip my hat to you, GL! I appreciate the support! Let’s grab some placards and march along Hollywood Blvd. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/111 "2014-08-05T06:02:23Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I appreciate the support! Let’s grab some placards and march along Hollywood Blvd. OK. But you wouldn’t happen to be talking about the Gay Pride Parade, would you? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/112 "2014-08-05T06:45:33Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I reject this justification. My point isn’t that they don’t deserve part of the show’s success, just that the sheer amount of money involved for something so simplistic as a sitcom is ridiculous, when more involving and complex shows, with larger crews, longer hours worked, and serious effort involved in the performances, don’t get a tenth of that kind of return. Are those more involving and complex shows, with larger crews, etc. etc. more popular? Because if they aren’t, the arithmetic is pretty simple, and if anyone is to blame, it’s the public’s tastes, wouldn’t you say? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/113 "2014-08-05T06:47:49Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > …and if anyone is to blame, it’s the public’s tastes, wouldn’t you say? Yes. Damn them all! ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/114 "2014-08-05T10:15:41Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > And if they earned 15 times more than I did, I don’t know how I would react to that. But it wouldn’t be good. That’s for sure. No wonder Hollywood actors who all work on the same show don’t usually get along very well. I’m sure he cries himself to sleep in the arms of Miss India while counting his paltry millions every night. No, seriously, Raj married a former Miss India and is set to pocket multiple millions a year from $75,000 per episode. That’s not chump change. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/115 "2014-08-05T12:07:16Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I reject this justification. My point isn’t that they don’t deserve part of the show’s success, just that the sheer amount of money involved for something so simplistic as a sitcom is ridiculous, when more involving and complex shows, with larger crews, longer hours worked, and serious effort involved in the performances, don’t get a tenth of that kind of return. Ah the old, if it was a show I liked they would be worth it, but since I consider it dreck, they don’t deserve more money attitude. You have a not very humble opinion of your own opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/116 "2014-08-05T12:55:41Z")
While I understand that Leonard, Sheldon and Penny are the main characters, I consider BBT more of an ensemble show. While Sheldon is a great character, and Jim Parsons plays him terrifically, I get more laughs from Wollowitz, Raj, Amy and Bernadette (and find them to be more interesting characters) than Leonard or Penny. That the various actors get paid such disparate amounts seems unfair and arbitrary to me. But whatever they get paid is based on how replaceable they are, along with the skill of their agents, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/117 "2014-08-05T13:36:23Z")
According to [this article from Deadline](http://www.deadline.com/2013/09/big-bang-theory-mayim-bialik-melissa-rauch-pay-raises/), Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch negotiated their current deal in September 2013. That’s before CBS renewed the show for three years, so perhaps they could have gotten more had they waited. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/118 "2014-08-05T14:30:24Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > Ah the old, if it was a show I liked they would be worth it, but since I consider it dreck, they don’t deserve more money attitude. > You have a not very humble opinion of your own opinion. I didn’t say I don’t like the show. I love the show, I watch every episode as soon as I can. I just think the television industry has more money than sense, and there’s a severe imbalance in how it distributes its funds. Use the excess money to let smaller shows last longer, or disseminate it to their creative teams. Anything is better than these ridiculous levels of disparity. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/119 "2014-08-05T14:33:31Z")
“Or disseminate it to their creative teams”? Isn’t that exactly what’s happening here? The actors are part of the creative team. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/120 "2014-08-05T15:08:58Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > “Or disseminate it to their creative teams”? Isn’t that exactly what’s happening here? The actors are part of the creative team. I knew I should’ve clarified. I rewrote that sentence five times and it still wasn’t enough. I meant the writers, the people who primarily do the majority of the creative work when making a sitcom. I don’t know how much they ordinarily get paid, but I’m guessing it’s not $100k per episode, let alone $1m. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969.md?page=7)