ABC's "Modern Family" stars, from left, Rico Rodriguez, Nolan Gould, Sofia Vergara, Ed O'Neill, Sarah Hyland, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell as Phil, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Ariel Winter as Alex, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons as Lily and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. BOB D'AMICO/ABC
The cast of ABC's "Modern Family" are "Friends." Literally.
In a move similar to that of the stars of NBC's hugely popular 1990s situation comedy "Friends," the stars of hit sitcom "Modern Family" may be negotiating new contracts as a group, according to deadline.com.
A table read set for Tuesday was canceled because several cast members wouldn't be there, the website reported Tuesday.
"The move comes as there was speculation that multiple cast members of the show wouldn't show up for the read as the cast of the Emmy-winning comedy is in difficult salary negotiations with series producer 20th Century Fox TV," the website reported.
"The two sides have not been able to agree on a salary increase for the six adult stars of 'Modern Family,' who are largely negotiating together."
In 1996, the "Friends" cast threatened to boycott production unless their salary demands were met and they were. Each received $100,000 per episode -- a paycheck that eventually grew to $1 million per episode.
Similar situations also occurred with the casts of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Malcolm in the Middle," but the cast of "The Big Bang Theory" stayed in production while their representatives negotiated increases of $200,000 per episode for a fifth season with larger increases in following seasons for stars Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki.
"The Big Bang Theory" is CBS’ no. 1 rated show.
The website is reporting that "Modern Family's" Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara are earning more than $60,000 an episode each with Ed O’Neill earning closer to $100,000 with additional bonuses. Cast members are said to be considering filing a lawsuit to void their contracts.
"Word is the cast have been looking for 'Big Bang'-size paychecks," reported the entertainment website. Negotiations are said to be around the $150,000 per episode mark but an impasse has been reached, reported deadline.com.
"Modern Family" airs Wednesdays on ABC, channel 8.
