‘Big Bang Theory’: Cast Still Negotiating Contracts; Speculation Of Surprise Comic-Con Appearance

The Big Bang Theory has show writers listed on its official Comic-Con panel again this year, but since San Diego fans at last year’s event got a special appearance from one of the show’s stars, there is speculation attendees are in for a similar treat next weekend.

Johnny Galecki showed up at the writer’s panel in 2013 after standing in line with regular folk, incognito – dressed in Princess Leia’s bounty hunter outfit from Star Wars. Panel host was Melissa Rauch, who plays Bernadette on the show. Galecki said he wanted to participate, since he was available and a sincere fan of the writers, according an interview he and Rauch did at the time with Entertainment Weekly. To have a look at what happened last year, check out the video posted on the CBS.com website. In the clip, Galecki is seen getting costume-ready, asking a question of the panel and eventually revealing himself and sitting at the table.

In 2012, the Big Bang Theory panel at Comic-Con included Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar, Simon Helberg, Mayim Bialik, Melissa Rauch in person and Jim Parsons via video link. As The Examiner noted at the time, comedies are not a normal feature of Comic-Con, but the show has the “geeky feel” that fits in with the festivities. The event’s official site describes its purpose in part this way: “From the beginning, the founders of the show set out to include not only the comic books they loved, but also other aspects of the popular arts that they enjoyed and felt deserved wider recognition, including films and science fiction/fantasy literature.”

The Big Bang Theory might not be a comic or sci-fi, but it features characters who love both.

This year, exiting late-night talk show host Craig Ferguson is slotted to take over moderation duties. He will host both the Big Bang Theory panel and the Game of Thrones session later in the day. The latter is scheduled to include both cast and creators.

News of Ferguson’s role comes just as it was revealed by The Hollywood Reporter that the Big Bang Theory cast do not have contracts for season 8. The program has been renewed through three more seasons, but all members of the core cast have yet to re-sign. THR reports that Jim Parsons, Galecki and Kaley Cuoco are seeking $1 million per episode, nearly a three-fold increase over their current salary of $325,000. Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch have already re-signed with pay increases.

As previously noted by The Inquisitr, the show is due to start up again in the fall on a new night. THR reports that the cast is expected to show up for work as usual when shooting of the new season begins, regardless of whether or not they have sealed the deal on new contracts.

[Big Bang Theory Cast Image: Google]