Not enough Buck for the Bang: Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons reportedly turned down $50 million and scuppered hit show
After 12 years of being a popular prime-time sitcom, 'The Big Bang Theory' is concluding in May 2019, and it was breakout star Jim Parsons' desire to say goodbye to the show that reportedly led to end of the long-running series.
According to Entertainment Weekly, CBS, the network that airs the show, was hoping to sign the cast of Big Bang Theory on for two more seasons — Season 13 hadn’t been announced yet just because the network was trying to negotiate the actors’ contracts for Season 13 and 14.
However, Parsons, who plays the role of Sheldon Cooper, was very clear he wanted the show to end. And by not signing up for additional seasons, he reportedly turned down a mind-blowing amount of money — more than $50 million to be precise.
With a reported salary of around $1 million per episode, Parsons, along with the rest of the original cast — Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg — had a chance to make more than $50 million which included profits if they agreed to stay in the series for two more seasons, according to their negotiations with CBS.
Despite all the negotiations, Parsons was reportedly not ready to be tied down for two more seasons and was eager to say goodbye to the ensemble sitcom that made him a household name. And since there is no TBBT without Sheldon Cooper, next spring's 12th season finale will mark the end of the longest-running multi-camera series in TV history.
In a combined statement on Wednesday, Warner Bros. Television, CBS and Chuck Lorre Productions said, “We are forever grateful to our fans for their support of The Big Bang Theory during the past twelve seasons. We, along with the cast, writers and crew, are extremely appreciative of the show’s success and aim to deliver a final season, and series finale, that will bring The Big Bang Theory to an epic creative close.”
Though there are viewers out there who are rejoicing at the end of the sitcom, the cast seems to feel just the opposite.
Kaley Cuoco, who plays the show's lead female Penny, took to Instagram to share her emotional reaction on the end of the sitcom. She commented: "This ride has been a dream come true and as life changing as it gets. No matter when it was going to end, my heart would have always been broken in two. Drowning in tears, we promise to bring you the best season yet."
She added, along with a group shot of the cast: "To the fans, our crew, families, Chuck Lorre, Warner Brothers, CBS, and everyone who has supported us for so many years, thank you. We are goin out with a bang @bigbangtheory_cbs."
Kunal Nayyar, who plays Raj Koothrappali, also took the time to type down his very own farewell, "As you may already know... and for those of you who don’t. This will officially be Big Bang Theory’s last season. After season 12 we will be the longest running multi camera sitcom in the history of television. There are no words in any language that can describe what my heart wants to say... The love that I feel for all of you is boundless. Without you the fans there would be no us. Tonight I sleep with a prayer of gratitude on my lips. This isn’t goodbye... yet... still 23 eps to shoot!”