Bad news for us geeks yearning to see our favorite girl in action again. Last weekend, Kaley Cuoco was hospitalized after breaking her leg in a horseback riding accident. The powers that be at The Big Bang Theory wrote her out of the about to go before the cameras next episode, but now it looks like she will miss multiple episodes of the series. Bummer. The way her character, penny, plays off the guys, particularly Sheldon (Emmy winner Jim Parsons) is one o the brightest spots on the series. She is hot, too.
I find the timing of her accident interesting. The Big Bang Theory signed the most lucrative syndication deal in television history in late sprig. TBS has contracted to pay $ 2 million per episode for seven seasons worth of episodes ($ 2 million/ episode x 24/ episodes per season x 7 seasons=$ 360 million.) to begin airing during the 2011-12 season. The three main stars of the series have negotiated new contracts in the wake of the syndication deal which grants each $ 250,000 per episode this season (the fourth), $ 300,000 per episode the fifth, and $ 350,000 per episode in the sixth and seventh seasons, as well as .25% of the lucrative backend deal.
While I cannot quote you the terms of their new contracts, I am certain there are clauses within them regarding maintaining the actors’ physical appearances and well being. In other words, they are probably prohibited by contract from certain hazardous activities. There was a recent fear over the effect Charlie Sheen’s possible incarceration for holing a knife to his wife’s throat would have on fulfilling Two and a Half Men’s multi-million dollar two season episode order. Ad star behavior can be devasting within the economics of television production. Eve insurance covering contract breaches do not often prevent major lawsuits over the cash.
Bottom lie--betcha Cuoco will not ride another horse until The Big Bang Theory ends its original run.
(Part of The Other McCain's Rule 5 Sunday)
