# 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:** 7
**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, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/121 "2014-08-05T15:10:43Z")
As for “these ridiculous levels of disparity”, there is also a ridiculous level of disparity in viewership numbers. This show is getting 20 million viewers an episode and doing really well in syndication. The top-ten shows last year were: NBC Sunday Night Football The Big Bang Theory NCIS NCIS: Los Angeles Dancing With the Stars The Blacklist The Voice (Monday) Person of Interest The Voice (Tuesday) Blue Bloods So aside from this sitcom and some hour-long dramas, you have football and three hours of reality competition. You really can’t syndicate or rerun sports or reality shows, so while reality shows are cheap to produce, there’s no ongoing revenues. And I think sitcoms syndicate better than hour-long dramas. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/122 "2014-08-05T21:20:27Z")
I bet they get a lot of money from syndication. At different times of the day the show runs on multiple channells. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/123 "2014-08-05T21:41:01Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > 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. IIRC you are a camera man. If you were employed and getting a steady pay check from this show would you feel any differently about pouring a bit more of the profits into the stars so you could keep your steady job going? ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/124 "2014-08-05T22:00:18Z")
> [@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. I feel the same about professional athletes. ---
**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, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/125 "2014-08-05T22:38:25Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I bet they get a lot of money from syndication. At different times of the day the show runs on multiple channells. An article in the New York Times said that the syndicated reruns on TBS get an average of _nine million viewers_ an episode. Any of the networks would be happy to get nine million viewers an episode for a first-run sitcom. ---
**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, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/126 "2014-08-05T22:59:44Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > IIRC you are a camera man. If you were employed and getting a steady pay check from this show would you feel any differently about pouring a bit more of the profits into the stars so you could keep your steady job going? I am not a camera man. No I would not. I would appreciate the steady job because the show is successful, but the stars getting obscenely rich when I would know how little work and effort goes into their day would be irritating. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/127 "2014-08-06T18:45:06Z")
Sorry… not sure who I have you confused with. Anyway, they reportedly have all signed for $1 million per episode plus a bigger share of syndication. ---
**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 6, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/128 "2014-08-06T19:13:59Z")
Only Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco are getting a million bucks an episode. The rest of the cast gets less. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/129 "2014-08-06T19:28:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Only Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco are getting a million bucks an episode. The rest of the cast gets less. That is what I intended… the others had already signed I believe so it was those three that were being discussed. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/130 "2014-08-06T19:32:19Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > … but the stars getting obscenely rich when I would know how little work and effort goes into their day would be irritating. What does the amount of “work and effort” have to do with anything? The cast is not paid based on that, the pay is based on supply and demand. There is a huge demand for Jim Parsons, but the supply of Jim Parsons is limited. And I’ve worked as a camera guy, the actual work done while filming is next to effortless. Easiest job I’ve ever had. Sure the training takes a while, but it ain’t logging or being a prison guard. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/131 "2014-08-06T19:48:00Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > 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. Funny, I think the same thing about the compensation certain sports figures earn. What makes a quarterback or a pitcher or any other grown man who plays a game worth millions of dollars? It all comes down to what the market will bear or what the power that be and customers are willing to pay. Bottom line: it’s all about the bottom line. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/132 "2014-08-06T19:51:12Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I am not a camera man. No I would not. I would appreciate the steady job because the show is successful, but the stars getting obscenely rich when I would know how little work and effort goes into their day would be irritating. I have no doubt that camera operator, key grip, etc. are much more physically demanding jobs than principle acting. That said, I don’t seem to know any of their names for some reason. _That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free_ ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/133 "2014-08-06T21:39:43Z")
‘Big Bang Theory’: Production to Resume as Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar Set New Deals > **[‘Big Bang Theory': Production to Resume as Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar Set...](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/big-bang-theory-simon-helberg-kunal-nayyar-return-220812485.html)** > > Fans of CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” can sleep a little better tonight. Warner Bros. TV has confirmed that the sitcom will resume production now that contract negotiations for Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar have been finalized. “Production on season... ---
**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 7, 2014, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/134 "2014-08-07T00:55:27Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > It all comes down to what the market will bear or what the power that be and customers are willing to pay. I know! And my point is, _I don’t like that!_ ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/135 "2014-08-07T00:57:57Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I know! And my point is, _I don’t like that!_ Ok. Who, in your opinion, should decide how much they get paid? ---
**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 7, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/136 "2014-08-07T02:55:27Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Ok. Who, in your opinion, should decide how much they get paid? I don’t know enough about the system to answer that. A standard rate that every actor gets in every show would be good, though. Profit should be used to make more projects, add seasons to struggling shows, improve production quality, and essentially give more people steady jobs. It should not be hoarded by a small few who have been lucky enough to stumble into a popular product. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/137 "2014-08-07T03:06:23Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I don’t know enough about the system to answer that. A standard rate that every actor gets in every show would be good, though. > > Profit should be used to make more projects, add seasons to struggling shows, improve production quality, and essentially give more people steady jobs. It should not be hoarded by a small few who have been lucky enough to stumble into a popular product. Ok, let’s say you’re Chuck Lorre, and that’s your conviction. So you tell Cuoco, Parsons and Galecki that they’re getting $50K an episode and they should be lucky they’re getting that, because that’s way more than “the standard rate”. Period. No negotiations. They walk. You don’t have a show anymore. You lost the network hundreds of millions of dollars, and you caused dozens of people to lose their jobs. And you have to go into hiding because crazed fans of the show are hunting you in the streets. Congratulations. ---
**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 7, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/138 "2014-08-07T03:20:51Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > They walk. You don’t have a show anymore. Or they don’t, because everyone in TV gets the same money, and they see, like every other Production Company does, that profit is shared across all their shows to keep thousands of people employed, and they appreciate and respect that. If they walk after that, then fuck their selfish asses. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/139 "2014-08-07T03:21:20Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I don’t know enough about the system to answer that. A standard rate that every actor gets in every show would be good, though. > > Profit should be used to make more projects, add seasons to struggling shows, improve production quality, and essentially give more people steady jobs. It should not be hoarded by a small few who have been lucky enough to stumble into a popular product. Da comrade. Excellent idea. Start the people’s TV network. Let us know the results. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/140 "2014-08-07T03:26:04Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Or they don’t, because everyone in TV gets the same money, and they see, like every other Production Company does, that profit is shared across all their shows to keep thousands of people employed, and they appreciate and respect that. And how exactly will you force “every other Production company” not to hire these three and produce the show, pay them their $1M an episode and earn those hundreds of millions that you gave up? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969.md?page=8)