Production has halted on Modern Family as the entire cast — Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Sofia Vergara — have filed suit against 20th Century Fox TV demanding that their contracts be voided. This would allow them to negotiate new deals.
The cast allege their contracts violate California labor laws which prohibit personal service contracts lasting more than 7 years. They also want freedom to act outside of Modern Family and FOX.
The stars made $65,000 per episode last season. FOX offered to increase their salary to $150,000 per episode with a $50,000 per episode bonus for season 4; $200,000 for season 5; $225,000 for season 6; and up to $325,000 for season 9. They want a lot more including double the salary if the show makes it to season 8 or 9.
Ed O’Neill is paid more than his co-stars and was negotiating separately but has decided to join the suit in a show of solidarity.
In their defense, they did win a few Emmys and is one of the best and highest rated comedies on tv but one of these days I’m just waiting for a network to say “f*ck it” and recast every star in the show out of spite when they try to pull something like this.