The Big Bang Theory Cast in Salary Dispute: Actors Asking for $500,000 Per Episode

The three leading cast members of the hit CBS series The Big Bang Theory are planning to unite and demand a hike in payment from their production studio, Warner Bros.

Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, and Jim Parsons, the actors of the hit comedy series are seeking a huge pay rise from their current salary of $350,000 per episode. The actors are demanding $500,000 per episode, reported a website RadarOnline.com.

On the eve of the show's Season 7 premiere, the cast privately pledged to do a Friends-like deal in a bid to bring back the entire ensemble for an eighth season.

Kaley, Jim, and Johnny each believe that they should be rewarded for the show's rise in popularity. The Big Bang Theory continues to pull in around 20 million viewers a week.

A source told RadarOnline.com, "They know the critical position The Big Bang theory holds on CBS' prime-time schedule and the only thing preventing them from getting what they want would be spectacular ratings demise this season. This isn't about to happen anytime soon. They'll put on a united front during negotiations."

The success the trio have achieved in the last six years is a feat unheard of for a show in recent history and they all deserve to get compensated for it, the source added.

According to Radar, "The cast is already talking about it the next round of negotiations."

The trio have clearly been inspired by the six leading actors of Friends, who back in 2002 stood united when they negotiated their new contract with the NBC show.

Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matt Le Blanc, and Matthew Perry managed to get $1 million each per episode for the show's final season.

The Big Bang Theory is nominated for eight Emmy awards this year.

The show returns with a one-hour premiere on Thursday, September 26 at 8/7c on CBS.