The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular American comedy shows of the 2010s, with the totality of 279 episodes spread across 12 seasons. Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady created it. Have a look at these Facts About The Big Bang Theory below!
The Big Bang Theory is set in Pasadena, California, and follows the lives of roommates Dr. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Dr. Leonard Hofstadter. Both are Physics professors at Caltech.
They share a hallway with aspiring actress Penny, who is as played by Kaley Cuoco, whom Leonard immediately has a crush on. The audience watches the two worlds collide and help them improve themselves.
We also get to meet Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), an Astrophysicist incapable of talking to women without alcohol, and the awkward Aerospace Engineer who lives with his mom, Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg).
If you’re an admirer of The Big Bang Theory, we’ve compiled the top must-read facts you can use to impress your fellow viewers!
Facts About The Big Bang Theory
Jim Parsons Won 4 Emmy Awards For Sheldon CooperJim Parsons won the Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series four times for his portrayal of Dr. Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory.
1. The Big Bang Theory Has A Successful Spin-Off
The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular sitcoms, so much so that it has a well-loved spin-off called Young Sheldon. Young Sheldon is a follow-up to the life of the main character Sheldon Cooper as he grew up in the same family as his parents in Texas. Viewers can enjoy a myriad of Easter Eggs and crossovers connected to plot elements in The Big Bang Theory.
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2. Sheldon Cooper’s Mother Is Played By A Mother and Daughter
Laurie Metcalf plays Sheldon Cooper’s religious, Texan Mother on The Big Bang Theory. The spin-off show is a prequel to Young Sheldon. Zoe Perry plays a young Mary Cooper. Interestingly, Zoe Perry is Laurie Metcalf’s real-life daughter.
3. Sheldon And Leonard Are Named After Sheldon Leonard
Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter are named after Sheldon Leonard, a famous television producer, director, and actor from the USA.
4. There Are Two Pilots Of The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory had two pilots created. First, a pilot was created in the 2006-2007 T.V. season, but it did not air. The second pilot premiered on September 24, 2007.
In the pilot that was never aired, the show’s structure was quite different from the one we see the show on The Big Bang Theory today. The two main characters, Leonard Hofstadter ( played by Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), are the only two characters to be seen in both the pilot that was never aired and the show.
Before the debut Episode of The Big Bang Theory appeared on CBS, The pilot episode was on iTunes for download.
5. Vernee Watson Johnson Is In The Big Bang Theory Pilot
In the pilot, the character Althea is played by Vernee Watson Johnson. You might recognize her from the role of Vy Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
6. There Were Originally Two Other Female Characters
Episode one of The Big Bang Theory included two female characters. The first one was Katie. Amanda Walsh plays that. She was a tough and unforgiving personality with a generous side. The other was Gilda, who appeared in the film in the role of Iris Bahr and would be an Iris Bahr Science associate and friend to that male character.
Sheldon, along with Leonard, is introduced to Katie after she broke up with her boyfriend, and the two invite Katie to live in their house. Gilda is then put in danger due to Katie’s appearance.
7. The Big Bang Theory Theme Song Was Originally By Thomas Dolby
Before it became the catchy tune composed by Barenaked Ladies, the theme song of The Big Bang Theory was the track “She Blinded Me With Science” by Thomas Dolby.
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8. Only 17 Out Of 22 Episodes Were Produced For Season One
Following The Big Bang Theory premiered in 2007, the show was renewed for a full 22-episode season that was filming was done in front of live audiences. The production of Season One was halted in November 2007 due to The Writers Guild of America Strike, and then three months later, it was substituted before it was reinstated in March of 2008. This resulted in only 17 22 of 23 episodes produced for Season One.
8. Four Big Bang Actors Worked On Roseanne
Many of the actors for The Big Bang Theory have previously worked on a different sitcoms. In Roseanne, Johnny Galecki, Sara Gilbert, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, and Meagen Fay were characters.
9. There Were Science Consultants On The Big Bang Theory Set
You may have suspected. The Big Bang Theory included science experts. The producers’ Chuck Laurie and Bill Prady had a meeting on the subject with David Salzburg, a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Salzburg examined their scripts, wrote the dialogue, and assisted with mathematical equations and diagrams frequently employed as props.
The Big Bang Theory creator Bill Prady was determined to create the scientific aspect of the story as authentic as possible. He would insist that his whiteboards of Sheldon be updated every Episode to demonstrate the progress he made in solving a scientific problem.
10. Actor Mayim Bialik Has A Ph.D. In Neuroscience
Mayim Bialik, who plays the character of Sheldon Cooper’s wife Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory, actually has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Mayim was a neurobiologist and often contributed to ensuring that the scientific accuracy was reflected when writing the show’s scripts.
11. The Main Three Cast Members Negotiated US$1Million Per Episode.
For the 7th Episode of The Big Bang Theory, The Big Bang Theory’s cast actors Johnny Galecki (Leonard), Jim Parsons (Sheldon), and Kaley Cuoco (Penny) made a whopping $30,000 per season.
In the first three seasons of The Big Bang Theory, the main three actors had a salary of $60,000 for each Episode. However, their pay increased in the fourth season, where they received $200k per show. When season eight was released, The three main actors of The Big Bang Theory signed the contract that provided them with an estimated sum of $1 million each for the next three consecutive years, along with the possibility of signing bonuses, production agreements, and advancements towards the end final.
The actors, later on, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar, had also signed a contract for a salary of one million dollars per show during season 8 and on.
12. The Big Bang Theory Had Many Scientist Guest Appearances
The Big Bang Theory is known for its numerous guest appearances by members of the Science community, including George Smoot, Brian Green, and Neil Degrasse Tyson. Professor Stephen Hawking made a guest appearance in the fifth and the eighth season and during the Episode’s 200th. The viewers also get brief appearances from NASA astronaut Michael J. Massimino alongside Howard’s character and Bill Nye, The Science Guy.
13. They Also Had Many Guest Stars From Popular Culture
Alongside many scientists appearing In The Big Bang Theory, numerous Popular Culture references and Comic-Con Cameos from Star Trek’s William Shatner, George Takei, Leonard Nimoy, and LaVar Burton. Will Wheaton recurs as a fictionalized self-contained version.
14. Leonard Broke The Elevator In The Apartment Building
One of the most enduring senses of humor in The Big Bang Theory is that the elevator of the apartment building is damaged. Much of the scenes and dialogue are set in the foyer, stairway, and hall between Penny’s house and Leonard’s. The Episode reveals in Season Three Episode Nine, “The Staircase Implementation,” that Leonard destroyed the elevator after trying out rocket fuel.
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15. There Is A Lego Set Of Leonard And Sheldon’s Living Room
In 2014, a The Big Bang Theory Lego set was released through Lego Ideas depicting Leonard and Sheldon’s home with the main cast in miniature figures. The set went on sale at The San Diego Comic-Con International.
16. There Were No Lenses In Leonard’s Glasses
The actor Johnny Galecki who plays Leonard Hofstadter in The Big Bang Theory, does not own glasses. In the majority of the scenes, Leonard’s glasses don’t contain any lenses.
17. Raj’s Selective Muteness Was Based On A Real Person
Raj Koothrappali can’t speak to women on The Big Bang Theory unless the actor has consumed alcohol. Director Bill Prady is responsible for this characteristic since it’s based on the former coworker he used to meet while working at an I.T. company.
18. The Big Bang Characters Discuss Mayim Bialik Before She Joins The Cast
In the show’s first season, Raj, Leonard, and Howard are trying to locate a 4th player (that does not include Sheldon) in The Physics Bowling Team. Raj suggests that the perfect player would be “the woman who played on T.V.’s Blossom. She has a doctorate in Neuroscience (or something).” That actor Raj refers to could be Mayim Bialik, who would become a part of Sheldon’s friend Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler.
19. Kaley Cuoco And Johnny Galecki Dated For Two Years
While filming The Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki, who play both Penny and Leonard, were friends and had been together for two seasons.
20. Jim Parsons Can Play The Theremin
In the episode The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper is seen playing the Theremin, widely considered one of the toughest instruments to master. Jim Parsons knows how to play it, so it’s him playing on the set.
21. Sheldon Does Not Have Aspergers
Many critics and viewers have speculated on the possibility that Sheldon Cooper may be Autistic or has Aspergers. Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Producers have repeatedly denied that this is true; however, star Jim Parsons says he believes that Sheldon is suffering from Aspergers and has portrayed the character as such.
22. Penny Only Has One Handbag
One dedicated The Big Bang Theory fan noticed that Penny has been carrying the same purse/handbag for the past two seasons. One Episode Two.
23. There Is A Bazinga Butterfly
In 2013, a group of Biologists in Brazil identified a new orchid bee species, Euglossa Bazinga, to pay tribute to The Big Bang Theory and Sheldon’s catchy phrase Bazinga. The new species was intentionally named Bazinga because of its frequent confusion with other bee species among Biologists.
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24. Johnny Galecki Was Originally Going To Play Sheldon Cooper
Johnny Galecki was originally approached to play Sheldon Cooper, but he felt that he would be more suitable to play the character of Leonard Hofstadter.
25. In 2015 Parsons And Cuoco Were The Highest Paid Actors On TV
In 2015, Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon Cooper, and Kaley Cuoco, who plays Penny, were the two highest-paid actors on television, earning 29 million dollars each.
26. Soft Kitty Exists
Soft Kitty is a real song. Its executive producer on the Big Bang Theory, Bill Prady, heard it at his daughter’s school and was informed that this is an Australian children’s song featured on the T.V. series Playschool back in the early 1960s.
27. Kevin Sussman Worked At A Comic Book Store
Before becoming an actor, Kevin Sussman, who plays Stuart Bloom, actually used to work in a comic book shop.
28. There Is Only One Staircase/Hall Set
In the scenes where The Big Bang Theory characters walk up the stairs in Leonard and Penny’s apartment, they’re walking in the same place but dressed in a different way to give the impression that they’re walking up different levels.
29. Jim Parsons’ Favourite Scene Is The Leonard Nimoy Napkin
Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, spoke about his top three scenes to shoot while appearing in Inside The Actors Studio. They included Sheldon receiving a gift of an autographed napkin from Penny, Sheldon presenting Amy with the agreement to be a couple, and Sheldon drinking the Long Island Ice Tea for the first time.
30. These Are The Big Bang Theory Characters Full Names
The full names for each The Big Bang Theory character are as the following:
- Dr. Leonard Leakey Hofstader, Ph.D. Experimental Physicist
- Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper, B.S., M.S., M.A., Ph.D. Sc.D. Theoretical Physicist
- Howard Joel Wolowitz, M.Eng, Aerospace Engineer
- Dr. Rajesh Ramayan Koothrappali, Ph.D. Astrophysics
- Dr. Bernadette Mary Ann Rostenkowski Wolowitz, Ph.D. Microbiology
- Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, Ph.D. Neurobiology
- Penny’s (Kaley Cuoco) name has not been disclosed.
31. Actor Sara Gilbert Has Played Galecki’s Girlfriend Twice
The actress Sara Gilbert that plays Leslie, the former girlfriend of Leonard, is also the girlfriend of Johnny Galecki in”The Simpsons” Roseanne.
32. Howard And Raj’s Apartments Are The Same Set
Howard and Bernadette’s house is the same as Raj’s home in The Big Bang Theory. The rooms are only completely redecorated to alter the room’s look, and it’s very rare to see both homes in the same Episode.
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33. Bernadette Didn’t Always Have A High Pitched Voice.
Indeed, Bernadette’s character in The Big Bang Theory wasn’t originally intended to have high-pitched vocals. Melissa Rauch grew into a more shrill voice after a couple of episodes. After her character’s development, her voice, claiming she modeled it after her mother’s voice but not with having the Jersey accent.
