This article was originally published on TVBee
Are you the ultimate Big Bang Theory Fan or simply a casual watcher? Either way, prepare to never look at it the same way as we reveal the secrets and hidden facts of (almost) everyone's favorite comedy series. So whether you've binge-watched every episode or recently discovered it through a streaming service, get ready to uncover the untold gems that even the most devoted fans might have missed. From behind-the-scenes anecdotes to set secrets, we're uncovering the show that's revolutionized the world of sitcoms.
In Real Life, Jim Parsons Never Watched Doctor Who or Star Trek
Throughout The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper's adoration for the sci-fi franchises Star Trek and Doctor Who s a recurring theme. The two series are among Sheldon's most treasured obsessions, frequently acting as plot drivers, like in the episode where they end up stranded en route to a Star Trek convention or Sheldon's dynamic with Wil Wheaton. Jim Parsons, the actor who portrays Sheldon, revealed that he's not actually familiar with all of Sheldon's interests.
Jim Parsons admitted to never watching an episode of either Stark Trek or Doctor Who and even expressed his personal interest in shows like Grey's Anatomy, Three's Company, and American Idol.
Mayim Bialik Concealed a Major Injury on Set
Despite joining The Big Bang Theory later in the series, Amy Farrah Fowler, portrayed by Mayim Bialik, quickly became a beloved character among fans for her quirky personality and Mayim's fantastic acting skills. Behind the scenes, however, Bialik encountered a significant setback: a gruesome hand injury from a car accident. Left with a bandaged hand, the show's writers faced a dilemma: to incorporate it into the storyline or overlook it.
Eventually, the production team opted to work with the injury on set by ingeniously leveraging strategic camera angles and props, making the hand look virtually unnoticeable for anyone watching it.
The Cast Actually Ended up Eating Every Meal While Filming
Whether dining at the Cheesecake Factory or having takeaway at Leonard and Sheldon's place, The Big Bang Theory is memorable for the cast's frequent meals, and food was always involved. Contrary to many productions where actual eating is avoided to prevent filming interruptions, things were different on this show. The actors got to enjoy every meal that the characters were having in order to make things look and feel more authentic.
Kaley Cuoco once told the media that the show's property paster Scott London was the genius behind the props. He meticulously prepared the takeaway containers and used his culinary skills to prepare the meals.
The Secret Two-Year Romance Between These Two Stars
The on-screen romance between Penny and Leonard in The Big Bang Theory excited fans over time. What might surprise many is that this love wasn't purely fictitious - Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki, the actors behind the characters, were involved in a real-life relationship. They made a decision to keep their romance private and away from the spotlight before revealing that they broke up and went their separate ways in 2010.
Kaley admitted to having suppressed her feelings due to their mutual decision of secrecy. Johnny also wanted the relationship to remain a secret, fearing it would interfere with audience perceptions.
Kaley Cuoco Almost Had to Get Her Leg Amputated
In 2010, a regular horse-riding lesson took a dangerous turn for Kaley Cuoco. She was thrown off, and to make matters worse, the horse attempted to leap over her, landing on her leg instead. The injury was so severe that doctors considered partial amputation. Thankfully, her leg was saved with metal rods, allowing it to heal correctly without having to take any life-changing or drastic measures, like removing the injured portion.
While Kaley's recovery required her temporary absence from several episodes of the season, she eventually returned to the show. Clever modifications to her character's storyline allowed her to remain behind furniture.
The Show's Salary Dispute Created Major Conflict
During the run of The Big Bang Theory, financial issues related to the cast's salary posed challenges. In 2012, a significant disruption ensued when key actors Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, and Kaley Cuoco delayed production to demand a pay increase. Their per-episode compensation eventually lept from $350,000 to a staggering $1 million. Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg were the last ones to settle their contracts with the show's producers at that time. But that's not when the pay disputes ended.
In an unexpected turn of events in 2017, the five leading actors consented to a $100,00 reduction in their per-episode salary to offer a pay increase for Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch.
The Original Big Bang Theory Script Had a Darker Plot
Like all television shows, The Big Bang Theory began as an idea, eventually transforming into a pilot. The original vision for the show was notably darker than the final product viewers grew to love. Leonard and Sheldon were the only consistent characters in this iteration, with Sheldon depicted as a girl-obsessed character, a stark contrast from the science-loving dude we know. The character of Penny was non-existent; instead, there was a cynic named Katie.
Katie was portrayed as a heavy drinker who moved in with the guys following a breakup with her married boyfriend. CBS ultimately declined the initial concept because they weren't satisfied with the characters.
Here's Why Bernadette and Howard's Daughter Halley Was Never Shown on Screen
In the tenth season of the popular comedy series, a significant development occurred when Bernadette and Howard Wolowitz anticipated the arrival of their daughter, Halley. This marked the first time any of the main characters ventured into parenthood, and it seemed like Halley would be a pivotal character. Interestingly enough, the audience never really saw Halley; her presence was made known only through off-screen noises.
Keeping Halley off-screen stemmed from two factors. The producers recognized the difficulties of working with a baby. Also, it was a tribute to the actress that played Howard's mom off-screen, who had previously passed away.
Did You Know These Two Actors Worked Together Back in the Day?
Sara Gilbert and Johnny Galecki, both veterans of the TV industry, have often found themselves sharing the screen, especially within the same type of shows. Gilbert is best recognized for her roles as Leslie Winkle, the witty experimental physicist with romantic involvements with several characters in The Big Bang Theory. Galecki, on the other hand, brought Leonard Hofstadter to the screen. Their collective history extends back to their time on the sitcom Roseanne.
Although it didn't last, Gilbert and Galecki further blurred the line between reel and real life back in the day when they briefly entered a romantic relationship off-camera.
Here's Why Howard and Raj's Apartments Were Never Both Seen in the Same Episode
There are many behind-the-scenes magic moments that brought the set to life through several clever tricks employed by the production team — one of them involved the stairs in the apartment building. In reality, the same staircase was used to represent different floors. Behind the scenes, the team would alter the apartment numbers and props, creating the illusion of levels. It was a smart move to make an immersive environment that wasn't actually there.
Howard and Raj's homes were derived from the same base layout. It's a detail that's easy to miss, but it explains why the two apartments were never featured in the same episode.
For Such a Type-A Character, Sheldon Had a Few Inconsistent Habits
Every viewer familiar with The Big Bang Theory certainly knows Sheldon Cooper for his classic habits: a specific couch seat deemed his spot, an intense phobia of germs, and strict morals like always following the rules. But inconsistencies do add up, and they can be found within several episodes. One of Sheldon's stricter rules is his proclaimed seat, but we often see characters occupying that same spot without him caring too much.
Also, Sheldon absolutely despises germs and often avoids them, but there have been times when he's done some unsanitary things, like grabbing food from the trash and then eating it.
Kevin Sussman Confronted His Fear of Water While Filming the Hot Tub Scene
In comedy sitcoms, hot tubs or swimming pools often serve as central locations for comedic scenes. This is particularly true for The Big Bang Theory, where Bernadette and Howard's hot tub became the spot for a comedic twist. While they were gone, Stuart and Raj took advantage of the situation, treating themselves to the hot tub. This simple scene was a pretty scary task for Kevin Sussman, who plays Stuart.
Sussman has a massive fear of water, which makes the moment where Stuart goes underwater super challenging to film - he even had to get coaching from a team during the scene.
The 'Soft Kitty' Gag Got the Show Sued
The Big Bang Theory is no stranger to recurring gags, with the song 'Soft Kitty' being everybody's favorite. Despite its popularity on the show, it precipitated legal trouble. Margaret Chase Perry and Ellen Newlin Chase alleged that their mother, Edith Newlin, was the song's original author, asserting it was unlawfully lifted from a book of nursery school songs. When their mother died, Margaret and Ellen inherited the rights to the song.
After the death of their mother, Margaret and Ellen pursued a copyright infringement lawsuit against the show, however, the judge dismissed the case, confirming that the show's use of the song was legal.
Why Melissa Rauch Was Asked to Keep Her Hands "fully Visible to Avoid Misunderstandings"
Melissa Rauch, the actress who portrayed Bernadette in the show, has an unusual routine to deal with her coldness. In a chat with Conan O'Brien, Rauch confessed that she usually gets under bed covers and rapidly rubs her hand together to generate warmth. This peculiar habit of hers was even carried onto the set of the hit series, where it ended up causing an unexpected hiccup during a filming session alongside Mayim Bialik.
During a scene in a hotel room, Rauch went into her real-life warming routine. This odd behavior under the sheets prompted producers to ask her to keep her hands fully visible to avoid misunderstandings.
Mayim Was Accused of Victim Blaming the #metoo Movement
The #MeToo movement, which highlighted misconduct in Hollywood, elicited responses from many celebrities, including The Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik. Invited to contribute to an essay for The New York Times, Bialik decided to share her personal experiences navigating the film industry as a woman. Her personal account highlights the "self-protecting and wise" choices she made, such as not behaving flirtatiously or choosing to dress modestly, which eventually sparked controversy within the movement.
Many people interpreted Bialik's essay as victim-blaming and expressed their disapproval on social media. Responding to the backlash, the actress quickly issued an apology for her misleading comments and words.
The Show's Creators Originally Wanted Johnny Galecki for Sheldon's Role
Perfecting Sheldon Cooper was a top priority during the casting process. The show's creators, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady were initially taken aback by Jim Parsons' portrayal but harbored doubts about his consistent delivery of the character. They also approached Johnny Galecki for Sheldon's role, who was more interested in Leonard's character. Also, the creators of The Big Bang Theory considered Kevin Sussman, who ended up playing Stuart Bloom as a potential actor for Sheldon, but he declined.
Parsons ended up going back for a second audition; this time, he impressed the creators with an unforgettable performance. It even exceeded the producer's expectations in ways they hadn't anticipated.
Jim Parsons Didn't Know Who Renowned Director and Writer Chuck Lorre Was
Chuck Lorre, a highly regarded writer with hits like Dharma and Greg, Grace Under Fire, and Two and a Half Men, is a household name in the television industry. Yet Jim Parsons, who'd been in the acting scene for nearly a decade before bagging the role of Sheldon Cooper, was unfamiliar with Lorre's work; in fact, he mistook him for Chuck Woolery, a prominent game show host when his agent broke the news about Parsons' new role.
Despite the general buzz surrounding the new show, Parsons didn't necessarily understand the cause of the excitement. He once shared with David Letterman that people should wait and see what Woolery offered.
Kaley Chose Not to Live With Her Then-Husband for Their First Two Years of Marriage
Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco has shown a preference for unique marital arrangements. Her life took a brighter turn a few years after a divorce when she announced her engagement to Karl Cook. Unlike most newlyweds, who usually choose to live together immediately, Cuoco and Cook followed a different path. They decided to live separately for nearly two years post-marriage, an unconventional approach by most standards.
Cuoco explained to E! News that this arrangement was because their dream home was under construction. This marital setup, although unexpected, seemed to suit the couple for the time being.
Sheldon Cooper's Alleged Asperger Syndrome Mockery
Sheldon's distinctive interaction style with his friends has spawned numerous theories, one being that Sheldon may have Asperger syndrome or be on the Autism spectrum. Characteristics associated with this condition, such as struggling with social cues, nonverbal communication challenges, and distinct social interactions, seemingly align with Sheldon's behaviors. Yet this speculation has sparked debate over whether the show's portrayal of such traits is tasteful or if it's simply trivializing the condition.
Creator Chuck Lorre was quick to deny the claim, arguing that the writers created behaviors fitting for the character. But Jim Parsons has said that Sheldon does exhibit some of these traits.
These Cast Members Were Real-Life Musicians
The show showcases its characters' hidden musical abilities, a detail that adds a bit more depth to their personalities. Whether it's the piano, cello, guitar, or harp, Howard, Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and Amy play different instruments that fit their personalities. Surprisingly, the musical skills that were showcased on the show weren't fake at all. Mayim even ended up learning to play the harp for her role in the show.
Simon Helberg also has some musical talent and was trained as a pianist, while Jim Parsons worked to learn to play the theremin behind the scenes and in his free time.
Kunal Nayyar Hated Having to Wear Raj's Wardrobe
Actors on The Big Bang Theory had to adapt to their roles quickly, a process greatly facilitated by the different costumes on the show. From Sheldon's vast array of t-shirts to Howard's iconic belt buckle, the costumes played a crucial role in character development. Of course, comfort wasn't always guaranteed. Kunal Nayyar, who played Raj, preferred Kaley Cuoco's wardrobe since his character's long-sleeved sweaters were quite annoying to wear on set.
Kunal Nayyar admitted that he preferred Kaley's on-set clothing as opposed to his thick sweaters and long-sleeved shirts because they weren't very comfortable to wear.
Simon Helberg's Scandalous Side Project Reflected His Real-Life Love Life
Simon Helberg, known for his his portrayal of Howard Wolowitz on the show, explored new territories in his career in 2014 by writing, directing, and starring in the romantic comedy We'll Never Have Paris. Helberg's character navigates a complex romantic situation in collaboration with his wife, who co-directed the film. He finds himself on the brink of proposing to his long-time girlfriend, only to get entangled with a co-worker, leading him to break his girlfriend's heart.
Surprisingly, he confessed that this narrative wasn't purely fiction. The plot and storyline were actually grounded in reality, mirroring events that happened after his own proposal to his current wife.
Legal Battles Erupted Over the Theme Song
Surprisingly, 'Soft Kitty' wasn't the only song that embroiled the hit comedy series in controversy. The show's theme song also stirred some discontent. After hearing Barenaked Ladies perform a spontaneous piece about the birth of the universe during a concert, producer Bill Prady and creator Chuck Lorre were inspired. They enlisted the band's lead singer, Ed Robertson, to compose a similar tune for the show, which ended up becoming the theme song.
Stephen Page, a former member of the band who departed in 2009, initiated a lawsuit a few years later. Page claimed that he was entitled to 20% of the royalties.
Plagiarism Scandal Surprises the Show's Cast
In an unusual turn of events, The Big Bang Theory encountered an unauthorized adaptation of itself, a show titled The Theorists, which aired in Belarus in 2010. The series followed an eerily similar narrative, featuring four scientists living beside a waitress and sharing near-identical names with the original character. Each episode was simply a Russian translation of the original, and the resemblance to the American version was practically hard to miss.
Chuck Lorre, the creator of the original show, discovered the plagiarism but realized any legal action was futile since the production company was state-owned. The actors involved in the show eventually resigned.
The Show Took Stories From These Real-Life Events
Much of The Big Bang Theory seems comical, with character personalities exceeding any that exists in real life. Yet, a surprising number of the show's plotlines and character quirks were taken from actual incidents. A great example of this is how producer Bill Prady modeled Howard Wolowitz after a former colleague who had the same exact name. Also, the main character Sheldon Cooper was inspired by several of Prady's colleagues from his days as a computer programmer.
A writer for the show said that the episode where Penny forgets Leonard's birthday was inspired by a time when his own wife forgot about his birthday, inspiring the storyline.
Howard's Trip to Outer Space Wasn't Entirely Realistic
A highly skilled engineer like Howard going into space isn't an impossible scenario, but the representation of his preparation and training appears to be a little bit inaccurate. Realistically, going to space is a big thing, so astronauts must undergo months of intensive training- thankfully, Howard isn't an actual astronaut and doesn't work for Nasa. In The Big Bang Theory, Howard didn't go through the kind of training that happens in real life before leading up to a space mission.
Howard ended up having a panic attack in space, and there wasn't any intervention or psychological help when it came to his mental state; realistically, this wouldn't happen in real life.
Nobody Knows Penny's Last Name
Fans of The Big Bang Theory have pointed out an interesting fact about Penny's character: her maiden name remains a mystery. Even after ten seasons, the show never reveals her last name, while we were well-acquainted with the last names of other characters, like Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper. It's possible that this was intentionally left out by the producers in order to make the show just a touch more mysterious, which could potentially make sense unless there's another reason.
It's possible that they chose not to disclose Penny's maiden name to underscore the idea that her past didn't hold much significance before intertwining her life with her new best friends.
The Inconsistency Around Bernadette's Pregnancy
The timeline of Bernadette's pregnancy was an interesting inconsistency that might be hard to pick up. Bernadette's pregnancy coincides with Valentine's Day, yet she doesn't give birth until December of the same year- which means she was pregnant for quite some time. The odd thing about this is that pregnancies usually last nine months, but Bernadette was technically pregnant for ten months, which is very close to an entire year.
Of course, extended pregnancies aren't unheard of, but an extra month seems to be a considerable stretch. Of course, this is just a sitcom, and this small detail doesn't matter much.
The Truth Behind the Forever Broken Elevator
In a revealing episode of the series, we discovered that Leonard was responsible for the broken elevator due to a near-fatal experiment, leading to Sheldon's heroic intervention. This reveal addressed the prolonged mystery of the infinitely out-of-order elevator. Although, they never really provided a good explanation for why the elevator was broken throughout the entirety of the show. It was accepted by all of the residents who had to use the stairs.
The show made it seem like everyone was perfectly fine with climbing up several flights of stairs in a high-rise apartment building, something that residents in real life wouldn't love.
Cuoco's Marriage To This Man Didn't Last Long
In September 2013, actress Kaley Cuoco shocked fans by announcing her engagement to tennis player Ryan Sweeting after dating for three months. They had only publicly acknowledged their relationship just a bit prior to this news. The couple didn't hesitate to take the plunge, marrying on New Year's Eve that same year, with Kaley commemorating the date with a tattoo. Their whirlwind romance was short-lived, as they divorced two years later.
According to People magazine, Cuoco shouldered legal fees and a $330,000 payout but retained ownership of their residence and beach house after the public divorce between the two was finalized.
Sara Gilbert Sought Johnny's Approval Before Coming Out
Sara Gilbert and Johnny Galecki's romantic relationship ended when Gilbert discovered her identity in the LGBT community. During their time together on set, Gilbert confessed to feeling "depressed" between their romantic scenes, unable to identify the cause. Eventually, Galecki also perceived something wasn't quite right, prompting her to disclose her truth. Galecki stood by her in a demonstration of true friendship, providing much-needed support when Gilbert came out publicly in 2010.
Before sharing the narrative of their past romance with the public, Gilbert made sure to seek Galecki's consent, further emphasizing the mutual respect, understanding, and even friendship between the two.
Penny and Her Very Suspicious Sister
Throughout The Big Bang Theory, we gradually learn about Penny's family dynamics which include her brother, mother, father, and sister. But on Penny's wedding day, an unexpected absence raised quite a few eyebrows. Despite the rest of Penny's family attending her wedding ceremony, he sister is suspiciously absent. Yet no explanation was provided about her sister not attending the special day., leaving everyone to come up with their own theories.
Given Penny's past statement that her sister's water broke during her own wedding, it's possible that she was involved in a similar unexpected situation during Penny's wedding, but we'll never really know.
Writer's Strike Leaves Lasting Impact on the Show
The 2007 Writer's Guild of America strike significantly disrupted the entertainment industry. This labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers spanned a total of three months before ending in February 2008. The impact was particularly notable for The Big Bang Theory, which was just eight episodes into its running when the strike started. This put CBS in a challenging position since they were in the early stages of promoting the sitcom series.
CBS had to rerun the first eight episodes on its streaming services. The show's writing and production team had to make the final nine episodes in two months to stay on schedule.
This Big Bang Theory Side Project Didn't Take off
Over its 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory has introduced many secondary characters, some fleeting, others remaining on the screen for a bit. Stuart Bloom, portrayed by Kevin Sussman and Barry Kripke, are characters who stuck around for a while. The friendship and activity between the two actors actually evolved much past the show, leading to the two working together and leading a collaboration of their own called Dark Minions.
Sussman and Bowie started a project which was supposed to be a show showcasing the life of a quirky five-year-old and her trendy parents, but it only lasted a single season.
Bill Prady's Awkward Role: Making Uncomfortable Phone Calls
Over the course of its run, The Big Bang Theory has featured an impressive roster of guest stars. This was mainly due to the show's theme, which attracted many high-profile talents. Although, it was not always simple to familiarize these stars with the sitcom's storylines. This responsibility fell to Bill Prady, the show's executive producer. He was the one who had to explain to Wil Wheaton that he would be playing a version of himself on the show.
Brady had to approach George Takei about participating in an LGBTQ-related scene. Prady asked him if he was part of the community, and Takei responded, saying he'll have to ask his husband.
A Good Old Case of Sheldon's Classic Revenge
In one episode, Sheldon, feeling humiliated by Kripke's prank on national radio, plots a course for revenge. The genius theoretical physicist created a foamy substance using dish soap, saturated potassium iodide, and hydrogen peroxide, aiming to drop this mixture on Kripke. Unfortunately, the plan falls apart when several university professors are unexpectedly present with Kripke at the exact moment. The foam that fell on their heads was much thicker than anticipated.
The trick ended up looking like a classic old-school trick that came right out of a '90s scene, where messy bucket tricks were a staple for jokesters of the era.
This Guest Regretted Carving His Own Path
The Big Bang Theory incorporated real-life celebrities into its narrative, one notable example being Wil Wheaton. Wheaton gained recognition for his role as young Ensign Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The New Generation. On The Big Bang Theory, Wheaton played a version of himself, eventually becoming a good friend of Sheldon's. However, he parted ways with Star Trek at the young age of 18 all the way back in 1990.
While he did return for a few guest roles, Wheaton was resolute in forging his own unique career path, which led him to distance himself from his former Star Trek colleagues.
Behind the Theft of Sheldon's World of Warcraft
An early episode of The Big Bang Theory had Sheldon's in-game possessions in World of Warcraft sneakily snatched by an anonymous player. This unexpected robbery put Sheldon into a state of pure panic, compelling him to contact law enforcement over the virtual theft. The situation eventually unfolded and was resolved by Penny, Sheldon's good friend and neighbor, stepping in to retrieve Sheldon's stolen in-game items from an unsuspecting local teenager.
The entire thing could have been avoided by simply contacting Blizzard support, who would have easily handled the in-game theft. But that solution would have deprived us of the entertainment.