'Big Bang Theory' stars seek hefty pay raises

The stars of hit sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory' Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco are seeking sizable pay increases.
The moves come after co-stars Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch recently inked new deals with studio Warner Bros, the Hollywood Reporter said.
Emmy winner Parsons (Sheldon), Galecki (Leonard) and Cuoco (Penny) will negotiate together, as they did in 2010, and are looking for a considerable bump in pay from their current deal.
The trio currently earns USD 325,000 per episode and may seek up to USD 1 million an episode.
Original stars Simon Helberg (Howard) and Kunal Nayyar (Raj) also are said to be looking for increases and will renegotiate together.

The new deals for Bialik and Rauch, who joined the series midway through its run and were promoted from recurring to regulars, will see their salary jump from USD 20,000-USD 30,000 per episode to the USD 60,000 ballpark, with increases each year taking them to USD 100,000 per episode by the end of their new contracts.
CBS has renewed 'The Big Bang Theory' through its upcoming seventh season, which begins next week.
The series is up for the best comedy Emmy this year, with Parsons again in the running for best actor. The show has yet to win in the comedy series category.