Having just wrapped Season 9 a couple weeks ago, it has already been confirmed that “The Big Bang Theory” will return for Season 10 in the fall. But where it goes after that is anyone’s guess. It has long been rumored that America’s top-rated sitcom will continue for a few more years. But star Kunal Nayyar, who plays Raj, is hinting that may not be true. It’s very possible that these upcoming episodes could be the show’s last.
Kunal Nayyar showed up at MCM Comic-Con London this past week, and he wasn’t as optimistic as some of his other cast mates when it comes to The Big Bang Theory being renewed past Season 10. He claims that the cast contracts do not extend past the 2016-2017 season. And it doesn’t sound like there are any current negotiations to continue, though that could change. The actor explains via Radio Times.
“Look – next season, as it stands on our contract, could be the last season of “Big Bang Theory”. To be completely honest…I know people are gonna want to know what happens after season 10. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Kunal Nayyar could know something we don’t at this point, or he could be stumping for a bigger pay check by stirring up a little controversy. In recent months, Kaley Cuoco, who plays Penny, and Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon, have both expressed their interest in returning for Season 11 and 12. They don’t want the party to end. But it might not be that simple. As CBS will have to once again contend with a few epic pay raises to keep their key characters in place.
The cast has only recently started to break out into movies. While Parsons has been in bit parts, finally taking on the more substantial lead voice role in Almost Home back in 2014, he is only now taking his first lead in a live-action movie, having signed onto the fantasy comedy Man-Witch earlier this year. Simon Helberg, who plays Howard, has also recently started appearing in more movies, creating We’ll Never Have Paris alongside his real-life girlfriend based on their dating misadventures. And he’ll next be seen in Florence Foster Jenkins starring opposite Meryl Streep. Melissa Rauch starred in this year’s raunchy comedy The Bronze. And even Nayyar took a lead role in the indie comedy Dr. Cabbie.
Many feel the show has slided off its center for years; your mileage may vary as to exactly how long. The writing isn’t as fresh, and the comedy is not as much as it once was! It lost its status amongst nerd culture long ago to the now-cancelled “Community.” I also feel that the cast of characters have too much going on, and is nowhere near where the show originally started! I understand everyone has to grow up, (except for Sheldon apparently), but it had lost its luster. If the show was not picked up for season 11, it would be understood. Not many shows last ten seasons. The list of sit-coms with such longevity is even shorter (“The Simpsons,”, “M*A*S*H”). TBBT had a great run. It is time for the show to sail off to the perpectual syndication aferlife.