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Any actor will tell you that it's a tall order to convincingly play drunk; try too hard and you can come off as insincere, but it can also ring false if you don't go far enough with the act. According to Jessica Radloff's 2022 book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," star Johnny Galecki, who played Leonard Hofstadter on Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady's beloved CBS sitcom for 12 years and the same number of seasons, had a tricky way to convincingly fake his intoxication.

"Acting drunk is really hard to play, so I would ask Scott London, our prop master, to cut up a dish sponge into pieces, soak it in whiskey, and put it in a disposable coffee cup with a lid on it and give it to me," Galecki revealed to Radloff in the book. I would just smell that...

The Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre doesn't seem to be ruling out any alumni reprisals in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. The upcoming spinoff will be the third offshoot in the fan-favorite comedy franchise.

Speaking with TVLine's Ryan Schwartz to promote his new Netflix series Leanne, Lorre addressed the possibility of the main Big Bang Theory cast returning to cameo in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. "I cannot speak to that. That is a closely guarded piece of information that, you know… I’ve taken a blood oath regarding," the franchise co-creator joked. After Schwartz noted that the fans, including himself, were hoping to see the likes of Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, and Johnny Galecki back as their respective Big Bang characters, Penny, Sheldon, and Leonard, in the new spinoff, Lorre remarked, "You’re going to love this show."

First announced in April 2023 by Warner Bros. Discovery,...

Even with The Big Bang Theory having been off the air for several years now, the universe continues to expand with new spin-offs. The latest is an unlikely spin-off of a character who appeared in The Big Bang Theory but wasn't part of the core friend group, Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman). HBO Max has recently ordered a TV series centered on the comic book store owner, titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. According to the show's official logline below, there are mentions of characters from the flagship series, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki). TV Line caught up with the brains behind this universe, Chuck Lorre, while he promoted his newest comedy, Leanne, and they asked him whether viewers would see Parsons and Galecki in the upcoming show.

"I cannot speak to that,” Lorre said, unsurprisingly mum about the affair. "That is a closely guarded piece of information that,...

The Big Bang Theory universe is officially expanding once again, but will Sheldon, Leonard, and the rest of the beloved gang be back for the ride?

HBO Max’s highly anticipated spinoff, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom as he embarks on an unlikely mission to restore reality.

The story kicks off after Stuart accidentally breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, unleashing a multiverse Armageddon.

Naturally, the premise has fans wondering which original stars might pop up. Could Jim Parsons (Sheldon) and Johnny Galecki (Leonard) return to set Stuart’s journey in motion?

Keep reading to find out more…

Series co-creator Chuck Lorre was asked about possible original cast cameos.

“I cannot speak to that,” he said to TVLine, adding, “That is a closely guarded piece of information that, you know… I’ve taken a blood oath regarding.”

But the new...

When HBO Max’s forthcoming Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe begins, the titular comic book store owner “is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.”

Naturally, such a high-falutin’ premise raises a number of questions. But above all else, longtime fans want to know if Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki will return to help set our (unlikely) hero’s journey into motion.

More from TVLine<em>Big Bang Theory</em> Spinoff Ordered at HBO Max — Here’s How Sheldon and Leonard Factor Into <em>Stuart...

The Big Bang Theory star Simon Helberg was stunned upon seeing the script for Sheldon Cooper during his audition. Portrayed by Jim Parsons, the eccentric and genius Sheldon Cooper has been one of the most celebrated characters not just in the sitcom, but in television history. And finding the right actor for the role was no easy feat for creators until Parsons came along.

However, while Parsons nailed the audition, Helberg, who joined the show during its second pilot, recalled feeling sympathetic towards anyone who auditioned for the role. He shared in The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series,

I very vividly remember thinking, Oh my God, the actor that has to go in for this role… because it was a two-page monologue about sitting at the right position where the cross-ventilation is.

Any Big Bang Theory fan will be well aware of the monologue Helberg is referring to,...

The Big Bang Theory is still a fan-favorite show after all these years!

The comedy series – starring Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik, and Melissa Rauch – first premiered on CBS back on September 24, 2007.

Throughout the course of the show, The Big Bang Theory won tons of awards, including seven Critics’ Choice Awards, 14 People’s Choice Awards, and 10 Emmy Awards.

After 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory came to an end in 2019.

The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.

We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of The Big Bang Theory, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.

If you didn’t know, The Big Bang Theory is available for streaming on HBO Max now!

Click through the slideshow to find out who...

The Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki was surprised and unable to understand Chuck Lorre’s naming methodology for the show, especially the s*xual innuendos related to Two and a Half Men, known for its crude and often controversial humor. Created by Lorre, both shows enjoyed a successful 12-season run on television.

And The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series revealed how Two and a Half Men played a key role in helping Lorre get Tbbt off the ground. Not only did its success give Lorre the leverage to pitch a new sitcom, but its tone even influenced the title of The Big Bang Theory, something Galecki shared he never picked up on.

“I never got that,” he shared in Jessica Radloff’s book. “I just literally never made the connection.” He also shared that he never understood the “double entendre” in the title as well,...

The Big Bang Theory has been over for several years, but the franchise continues to live on with its multiple spinoffs. While two previous spinoffs were set in the past, the next one will be jumping back to the present, but fans shouldn't count on seeing appearances from all of the original show's stars.

Simon Helberg, who played Howard Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory, addressed his possible return to the franchise. He said he isn't currently involved with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the new spinoff that's coming to HBO Max. While some actors might be bummed in such a situation, Helberg is completely fine with it. He explained that fans last saw the character at his "peak," and it's probably best to have that serve as the end of Howard's journey.

"There's no plan for Howard to come back at the moment," Helberg said. "I don't know,...

One TheBig Bang Theory star revealed why they would be okay not returning to play the role they inhabited for 12 years for the spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, or beyond. The latest spinoff in the Tbbt universe, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is being developed by Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn for HBO Max.

Speaking to Screen Rant’s Grant Hermanns, Simon Helberg revealed that there are no plans for Howard Wolowitz to return in new Tbbt spinoffs. Helberg mindfully explained why Howard not returning is good based on the character’s development in Big Bang Theory, whose end gave closure to Howard’s story, something that could be upset by Howard returning. Read Helberg’s words below:

ScreenRant: Can we possibly look forward to seeing Howard come back? And whether or not you can say, what would you like to see from Howard...

The Big Bang Theory wasn’t just a comedy hit, it was a cultural juggernaut. When it premiered in 2007, fans were immediately obsessed with the three brilliant scientists, Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and their friend Howard. The sitcom was everywhere, and after twelve glorious seasons, massive ratings, and a wall full of awards, it concluded in 2019. But no show gets through that kind of run without a few obstacles.

And the same happened with the Big Bang as well. In the list of successful, laughter-filled episodes, there were also some that left us scratching our heads. Not because they were boring, but because they felt either forced or just downright mean. So, on that topic, let’s take a look at 5 such controversial episodes that fans still bring up 6 years after the show’s ending.

5. The Skank Reflex Analysis

The Skank Reflex Analysis is definitely one of the most talked-about episodes of Big Bang,...

Simon Helberg revealed whether there are plans for Howard Wolowitz to return in the upcoming The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. The first Tbbt spinoff to be set after the events of The Big Bang Theory, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has been greenlit by HBO Max, with an official synopsis also being announced.

In an interview with Screen Rant’s Grant Hermanns, Helberg addressed his potential return in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, sharing how Howard’s return is not being discussed at this time. The revelation seemingly opposes the news of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe bringing back Tbbt characters. Read Helberg’s quote below:

"There's no plan for Howard to come back at the moment."

What This Means For Stuart Fails To Save The Universe The Tbbt Spinoff May Be Very Different From The Parent Series

Howard Wolowitz not...

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When you're the star of a major TV show — like, for example, "The Big Bang Theory," Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady's massively popular CBS sitcom that ran for 12 years and the same number of seasons, you probably have to follow some basic rules. An understandable one is that, as an actor, you need to keep yourself physically safe as best as you can, because an injury could be disastrous for the entire production. Apparently, "Big Bang Theory" stars Johnny Galecki and Simon Helberg, who played friends and California Institute of Technology colleagues on the series from start to finish, didn't think about this when they kept renting ill-advised boats whenever the cast went to Comic-Con together.

As Jessica Radloff revealed in her 2022 book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," Galecki and Helberg,...

Throughout its long run, The Big Bang Theory has occasionally slipped on character details, including some related to Raj Koothrappali, portrayed by Kunal Nayyar. The issue becomes particularly noticeable in the Season 10 episode, The Cognition Regeneration, where Raj claims to have never learned Hindi, despite being born and raised in India.

However, Raj had and would go on to contradict his own claim throughout the series. One of the early distinctions appears as early as the second episode of the show, The Big Bran Hypothesis, when Raj starts singing a Hindi lullaby that his mother used to sing to him. Clearly, this suggests at least some understanding of the language.

Later, in the Season 11 episode The Geology Methodology, he not only understood Hindi but even explained its meaning to Howard. These moments—and others throughout the show—highlight a recurring inconsistency in Raj’s character development. The question remains: why...

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Ever since "The Big Bang Theory" ended in 2019, we've learned some fairly wild things about each cast member's specific acting process. Simon Helberg, who plays Howard Wolowitz on the series, liked to run around screaming before he started filming, and while playing Sheldon Cooper, Jim Parsons wrote some of his particularly dense scientific speeches down onto index cards and stuck them around the set. So what did Johnny Galecki, the man behind Leonard Hofstadter — best friend to Sheldon and eventual husband of Penny (Kaley Cuoco) — do to prepare? He kept a huge binder of notes, and apparently, he figured out some plot points ahead of time. Speaking to Jessica Radloff in her 2022 book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," Galecki explained his mysterious binder ... and said Cuoco thought the whole thing was hilarious.

The Big Bang Theory has made headlines and heated discussions for almost every possible thing, why people like it, why others don’t, who the best characters are, and which couple reigned supreme. However, in a surprising twist, a new debate has emerged: Which Tbbt character would be the best life partner, not for each other, but from one’s personal perspective.

It’s an intriguing question. Since the show’s end, some of the characters have experienced a surge in popularity, with fans appreciating their growth and story arcs more than others. But when it comes to long-term compatibility, love, loyalty, and life partnership, this conversation deserves deeper attention. So here’s our honest take on who might truly be the ultimate life partner among The Big Bang Theory characters.

Who is the Ultimate Life Partner — Settling The Big Bang Theory Relationship Debate

Fans of The Big Bang Theory...

When it comes to The Big Bang Theory, its characters like Sheldon, Leonard, or even Penny that usually come to mind first. However, every now and then, certain moments remind us just how underrated some of the other characters truly were, especially Simon Helberg’s Howard Wolowitz.

If there’s one perfect example, it’s his brilliant and hilarious impressions in the Season 6 episode The Love Spell Potential. The episode is so iconic, it remains one of the most memorable moments of the entire series — and a clear reminder of how Tbbt consistently underutilized Helberg’s talent as both an actor and a comedian.

Helberg’s D&d Impressions Proved He Had Range—Tbbt Barely Used It

Simon Helberg’s role as Howard Wolowitz on The Big Bang Theory was often reduced to comic relief, with the early seasons focusing more on oddball jokes and his womanizing personality. But occasionally,...

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There are some actors who probably sort of hate being identified with one project or show, and if Jim Parsons did feel that way, I think that would be more than fair. Yes, Parsons booked the role of a lifetime with Sheldon Cooper, a theoretical physicist whose disdain for others masks an unexpectedly big heart, on "The Big Bang Theory," Chuck Lorre's CBS sitcom that Parsons led for 12 years and seasons.

In Jessica Radloff's 2022 book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," Parsons was quite clear: he's happy that Sheldon resonated with so many audiences, especially those who saw themselves in the nerdy, stubborn, yet sweet guy. "I am really honored to be the actor who is tasked with playing Sheldon, who has connected in that way," Parsons said of his deeply unique character.

Jim Parsons’ The Big Bang Theory character, Sheldon Cooper, has become known for several of his quirks, one of the most famous being the phrase ‘Bazinga.’ However, just as quickly as the show introduced it, the phrase virtually disappeared within three seasons.

In Jessica Radloff’s The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, showrunner Steve Holland revealed that Tbbt had a “complicated relationship” with the phrase. He explained that while it became a recognizable part of the show, they were cautious about overusing it as it was starting to feel gimmicky and was often used to mock the show.

So, after season 5, they decided to phase it out. “It felt like it was becoming a catchphrase in a sort of not-great way, so we retired it almost entirely,” Holland revealed. However, despite that, it has become strongly associated with the series and continues to...

[This story contains major spoilers from the season two finale of Poker Face, “The End of the Road.”]

Hopefully, you kept watching after Poker Face nearly ended its second season with a big “To Be Continued.” Creator Rian Johnson was confident viewers would stick with the episode — but he says Peacock was a little nervous.

“I was just giggling in the edit room getting the timing of that exactly right with Natasha,” Johnson, who created, writes and directs on the Natasha Lyonne-starring series, tells The Hollywood Reporter of the finale’s cliffhanger gag. “Peacock was a little nervous. They were like, ‘Do you have to put To Be Continued?’ I was like, ‘I think it will be fine.’ It’s another great harkening back to the commercial break cuts that I grew up with [on TV shows] as a kid. A car would go off the ramp at the Universal backlot, the show would freeze frame and it would be like, ‘How are...

Note: This story contains spoilers from “Poker Face” Season 2, Episode 12.

Just as quickly as Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie Cale settled into the bustling metropolis of New York City in “Poker Face,” the Season 2 finale ripped away any shred of normalcy as Charlie headed back on the road again, fearing for her life even more than the first time.

After settling into her Brooklyn crash pad (thanks to Steve Buscemi’s Good Buddy) and developing a friendship with a local named Alex (Patti Harrison), things were looking pretty good for Charlie — that is, until she found out she’s at the center of a plot from notorious assassin the Iguana to find and kill Beatrix Hasp (Rhea Perlman). Charlie and Alex thought they had evaded the Iguana, until Charlie realizes that her friend was actually Iguana all along, who had befriended Charlie so she could lead her to Hasp and kill her.

The Poker Face season 2 finale is titled "The End of the Road". However, it’s hard to imagine the end of the road for Poker Face will be anytime soon.

With Poker Face's 96 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s impossible to think the series won’t be picked up for a season 3. Not only that, but it’s in Peacock’s Top 10 list of TV Shows. Season 2 has had an intense group of A-list stars, so you can only imagine what showrunner Tony Tost has up his sleeves next for the tale of Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne).

This article contains spoilers for the season 2 finale of “Poker Face.”

Diving into the season finale, Charlie and Alex can be seen speeding off in her Baracuda as they figure out their next plan of action. After Charlie turns her cell on, her good friend, Luca (Simon Helberg), calls and reveals she was right again.

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Sheldon Cooper, the ostensible protagonist of "The Big Bang Theory" played by Jim Parsons, is definitely unique as far as sitcom leads go. Sure, he's surrounded by fellow eccentrics and nerds like Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), and Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) — and he's often challenged by the dynamic presented by the group's women Penny Hofstadter (Kaley Cuoco), Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz (Melissa Rauch), and his eventual wife Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik). Still, a question has loomed for years about Sheldon: is he meant to be on the autism spectrum?

Sheldon is certainly neurodivergent; his brain quite clearly works differently than, say, Penny's or even Leonard's, and he does exhibit stereotypical symptoms of autism, as many have noted throughout the years. In fact, in Jessica Radloff's 2022 book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series,...

As the name of the episode implies, we’ve reached “The End of the Road” for Season 2 of Poker Face. Charlie (Natasha Lyonne) and Alex (Patti Harrison) are on the run from a contract killer after Beatrix Hasp. While the FBI is actively hunting them down, Luca (Simon Helberg) remains concerned about Hasp and her survival. The stories converge in a standout episode of television, where Lyonne showcases her talents both behind and in front of the camera.

Spoiler Alert !!!Spoilers for all of Season 2 of Poker Face. Poker Face — “The End of the Road” — Recap

Charlie and Alex are lost on their way to find Hasp. When they turn on Charlie’s phone to try to use the Gps, Luca immediately calls. He warns her about the Iguana using her to get to Hasp. He sends Charlie pictures of the Iguana’s prosthetics to prove that he can take any form.

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At some point during her run on "The Big Bang Theory," Melissa Rauch, who plays Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz — a pint-sized, fierce waitress turned microbiologist who ends up wooing and marrying Simon Helberg's Howard Wolowitz on the series — surprised her colleagues with a spot-on impersonation. Specifically, Rauch could do a perfect impression of Carol Ann Susi, the actress who played the rarely seen but often heard Mrs. Wolowitz, Howard's commanding and domineering mother (with whom Howard lives until he moves in with Bernadette).

"I never impersonated her voice on set, so they wouldn't have known," Rauch explained in Jessica Radloff's 2022 book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," where she and other cast and crew members from the show opened up about Susi, her distinctive voice, and how Rauch's Bernadette ended up using the...

Johnny Galecki nearly passed on his popular role as Leonard in The Big Bang Theory. The show faced many ups and downs, including a failed pilot, before it hit the screens and became a sensation. One such early obstacle was Leonard’s casting. While Galecki was not the first in line, casting director Nikki Valko was adamant on the actor, saying, “Johnny Galecki is Leonard.”

However, the actor was busy with another project at the time, a Broadway production, The Little Dog Laughed. Galecki had a unique opportunity and did not want to leave it for a ‘nerdy’ role in an impending sitcom.

“Nikki called him like three times saying, ‘Please, please,’ but we kept hearing ‘It’s a pass,'” casting director Ken Miller recalled in The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series. After rejecting the offer five times, Galecki eventually decided to...

The Big Bang Theory is still a fan-favorite show after all these years!

The comedy series – starring Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik, and Melissa Rauch – first premiered on CBS back on September 24, 2007.

Throughout the course of the show, The Big Bang Theory won tons of awards, including seven Critics’ Choice Awards, 14 People’s Choice Awards, and 10 Emmy Awards.

After 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory came to an end in 2019.

The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.

We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of The Big Bang Theory, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.

If you didn’t know, The Big Bang Theory is available for streaming on HBO Max now!

Click through the slideshow to find out who...

More than two years after HBO Max announced that Chuck Lorre was developing a new show “derived from” The Big Bang Theory, the streaming service has handed a series order to single-camera comedy Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

The official pickup, which was announced Wednesday, comes with an incredibly intriguing synopsis that paves the way for Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and the rest of the original cast to theoretically… one day… possibly return:

More from TVLine<em>Stuart Fails to Save the Universe</em>: Everything We Know About the <em>Big Bang Theory</em> Spinoff<i>Young Sheldon</i> Easter Eggs: Every Nod to...

For a show that's "about nerds," it's pretty funny that, among the main male cast of "The Big Bang Theory," Johnny Galecki's Leonard Hofstadter is the only one who wears glasses. Sheldon Cooper, Howard Wolowitz, and Raj Koothrappali — played respectively by Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar — all apparently have good enough vision to go without spectacles, but Leonard is pretty much always wearing glasses.

Here's the thing, though: Those glasses don't actually have lenses, because Galecki doesn't wear glasses.

As Galecki told The Huffington Post during the show's run, he simply thought Leonard worked with glasses, but the literal glass from the lenses ended up being a problem on set. "We rehearsed the first episode for about a week and a half, and when we started to shoot, they said, 'Well, you're gonna take your glasses off, right?' I said, 'No, I want Leonard to wear glasses.

A main cast member of The Big Bang Theory is fanning flames of rumors that they will be in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe with a nostalgic image. 6 years afterThe Big Bang Theory ended, Chuck Lorre's sitcom franchise is thriving on CBS with Young Sheldon, which wrapped up in 2024, and now Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage.

That said, the producer extraordinaire is about to further expand it with his first venture from the nerd-centric universe on a streaming platform. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will put Kevin Sussman's comic book shop owner at the forefront of its storytelling.

As work on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe continues quietly behind-the-scenes, Kunal Nayyar shares an image of The Big Bang Theory main set on his Instagram. Aside from evoking nostalgia, it also fuels rumors that he would be in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Interestingly, both Sussman...

After getting to meet Alex (Patti Harrison) over the last couple of episodes, a few of Charlie’s worlds are set to collide. The return of Simon Helberg to Poker Face, plus Charlie (Natasha Lyonne) working as a caterer, means something big is going down at this wedding. “The Day of the Iguana” is the first in a two-part conclusion to Season 2 and sets up Poker Face for an exciting finale.

Spoiler Alert !!!Spoilers for all of Season 2 of Poker Face, including "The Day of the Iguana." Poker Face — “The Day of the Iguana” Recap

While getting ready for a wedding, Todd (Justin Theroux) watches a video to learn how to tie a bowtie. Someone knocks at the door and tells the man they’re a chauffeur to drive them to a wedding. The unseen man offers to help the teacher with his bowtie and strangles him with it. When the body hits the floor,...

The Big Bang Theory (Photo Credit – Netflix)

The Big Bang Theory, which we all know and love, almost looked nothing like the one that aired. And I’m not just talking about the wardrobe or jokes. In the original unaired pilot, two crucial characters (Howard Wolowitz and Raj Koothrappali) didn’t even exist. Yeah, let that sink in.

Instead of the awkward-yet-lovable quartet of Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and Howard, the first version had just Leonard and Sheldon… plus two completely different women: Katie and Gilda (via Screenrant). Katie, played by Amanda Walsh, was brash and mean-spirited. Gilda was a fellow scientist and a bit much. Watching it now, the vibe feels cold, clunky, and weirdly mean. The humor’s off, the chemistry’s lacking, and most importantly, the friend circle feels bare.

Why Raj, Howard, And Penny Turned A Flat Pilot Into A Sitcom Classic

Without Raj and Howard, Sheldon...

There are a lot of stories out there about crazy or surprising things that actors do as a part of their personal process, but to be honest, what Simon Helberg used to do before portraying Howard Wolowitz on "The Big Bang Theory" is really unexpected.

According to "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," a 2022 book all about the making of Chuck Lorre's massively popular CBS sitcom by Jessica Radloff, Helberg would utilize the mostly-fake stairway (which the characters use because the elevator in the main apartment building is just always broken) for his warm-up. I'll just let Kaley Cuoco, who played Penny throughout the entire series, explain it.

"Before we would do our cast curtain call at the start of the Tuesday night taping, Simon had to run down the apartment staircase and scream like a crazy person," Cuoco told Radloff. "We all had our thing.

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If you think about Howard Wolowitz, the character made famous by Simon Helberg on the blockbuster CBS sitcom "The Big Bang Theory," you probably think about his super-tight turtlenecks, unique bowl-shaped haircut, big flashy belt buckles, and tight pants. According to Jessica Radloff's 2022 book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," Helberg and the show's costume designer Mary Quigley worked extremely hard to create Howard's unforgettable look, which did evolve over time ... even if they encountered some strange technical issues at the start.

"Howard's look was so bold that by the time I stepped out onstage wearing that outfit, I knew who this guy was," Helberg recalled to Radloff before telling her that there were some amazing wardrobe malfunctions initially. "I think there were a couple pairs of jeans that I needed assistance...

I was today years old when I found out the legendary Octavia Spencer guest-starred on The Big Bang Theory, and yes, I had to double-check IMDb. She appeared in the Season 2, Ep. 5 episode “The Euclid Alternative” as a Dmv clerk with zero patience for Sheldon’s quirks.

The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, which aired on CBS from 2007 to 2019. The show follows the lives of socially awkward scientists Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Raj, alongside aspiring actress Penny, as they navigate friendships, relationships, and geek culture.

It ran for 12 seasons with 279 episodes, earned multiple Emmy Awards, and launched two spinoffs: Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

The Time Octavia Spencer Schooled Sheldon at the Dmv and We Totally Missed It

Folks, I’ve rewatched The Big Bang Theory enough times to quote Sheldon’s roommate agreement by heart, but somehow,...

Long before Simon Helberg became a household name as Howard Wolowitz on The Big Bang Theory, he took on a small but unforgettable role in one of Ryan Reynolds’ wildest comedies, Van Wilder. That’s right, this early 2000s movie was packed with outrageous humor and gave both the actors a perfect chance to showcase their comedic timing in the messiest and chaotic way possible.

Now, Van Wilder is set to leave streaming platform Peacock in just 3 days. So, let’s dive deeper to know why Helberg’s over-the-top performance is a must-watch before it disappears.

Simon Helberg and Ryan Reynolds’ College Comedy Van Wilder Is Leaving Peacock Soon Simon Helberg (right) in a still from Van Wilder | Credits: Artisan Entertainment

Before he became the technologically adept but sometimes irresponsible Howard Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory, Simon Helberg played a nerdy college kid in one of Ryan Reynolds‘s most chaotic comedies,...

Some of The Big Bang Theory’s best moments aren’t the loudest — they’re the quiet character reveals hiding in plain sight. Case in point: Sheldon’s most heroic moment, where he almost risked his life for Leonard, shows exactly why Jim Parsons’ portrayal made the character legendary. It’s not just about the science or the sarcasm; it’s about the subtle ways Parsons adds real depth to the sitcom’s most unlikely hero.

In Season 3’s The Staircase Implementation, Leonard reflects on his early days living with Sheldon. Among the chaos? A dangerous rocket fuel experiment gone wrong. As smoke fills the apartment, Sheldon acts decisively, saving Leonard — and unknowingly breaking the elevator for good. It’s a classic Tbbt moment, full of unexpected heart.

Sheldon’s Unlikely Bravery Redefined His and Leonard’s Friendship

When it comes to Sheldon Cooper, things like ‘bravery’ and ‘selflessness’ are...

Even by sitcom standards, "The Big Bang Theory" has plenty of colorful characters. However, the show tends to keeps a tight focus on the original core group of Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Howard (Simon Helberg), and Raj (Kunal Nayyar), which means that several supporting characters don't get the attention they deserve. Some rise above the fray: Mayim Bialik's Amy and Melissa Rauch's Bernadette were both promoted to main character status in season 4 and remained as such until the end of the show. Several other characters have also enjoyed briefer stints as part of the main cast before either exiting the show completely or quietly falling back out of focus. 

An abundance of these peripheral figures has left the show with an overwhelming surplus of fascinating characters who just don't get the sort of focus they could no doubt handle, either because they don't...

Six years after The Big Bang Theory came to an end, its creator, Chuck Lorre, has revealed why there is no Penny spinoff in a candid confession. Since its premiere back in 2006, Tbbt has become one of the best and most popular TV series of its time.

After enjoying a 12-season run on CBS, the show continues to live on in its fans’ hearts, especially with its extended spinoff, including Young Sheldon, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, and the upcoming Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. However, it still raised questions about the other popular characters, who much likely deserved a show of their own, one of them being Penny, portrayed by Kaley Cuoco.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lorre reflected on how he came to learn the value of comedy spinoffs, suggesting why there is no Penny spinoff despite the popularity of the character in the sitcom.

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If there's one thing fans know about "The Big Bang Theory," it's that within the show's universe, the elevator in the gang's apartment building is broken. Let me clarify: even though only Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), and Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) — and eventually Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) — are the only main characters who live in this specific building for long periods of time throughout the series, their friends Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), and Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz (Melissa Rauch) hang out there all the time. What that means, practically, is that every time the whole gang heads over to Sheldon and Leonard's (later Leonard and Penny's) apartment, they have to climb several flights of stairs to get there. The elevator ends up getting a full repair at the very end of the series...

In acting, the nefarous-sounding term "corpsing" describes those amusing but unwanted moments where a performer begins laughing at an inappropriate moment. It gets its name from the absolute worst time for this to happen during a stage production — when the actor in question is playing a dead body — but even the most benevolent instances of corpsing can potentially cause delays and annoy people.

"The Big Bang Theory" star Kunal Nayyar has been open about driving his co-stars crazy with his penchant for losing it during filming before, and in a new interview with the New York Post, he returned to the well. As it happens, Nayyar found his tendency to break into laughter pretty humbling, and attributed it to co-star Simon Helberg, whose antics he simply couldn't watch with a straight face:

"You know, Simon Helberg, who played Wolowitz, is still the funniest human to have ever lived. Any time...

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After Mayim Bialik joins "The Big Bang Theory" in the show's third season as Amy Farrah Fowler, a neuroscientist who ends up romancing and marrying the prickly Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), it's legitimately hard to imagine the show without her presence. Here's something funny, though; in the show's very first season, "The Big Bang Theory" obliquely references the real Bialik, though it doesn't say her name.

In the season 1 episode "The Bat Jar Conjecture," Sheldon and his friends and fellow California Institute of Technology colleagues Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), and Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) are gearing up to participate in the university's annual Physics Bowl, but true to form, Sheldon makes all of his friends so irritated that they kick him off the team. (This is largely because Sheldon is convinced he doesn't even need teammates...

Portrayed by Simon Helberg, Howard Wolowitz turns over a new leaf in The Big Bang Theory after Bernadette’s introduction in the series. And that’s when some of the character’s best and most heartwarming moments come, including the one that undoubtedly tops them all, from the Season 7 episode, The Romance Resonance.

The episode follows Howard as he plans something special to celebrate the anniversary of their first date. Despite facing some serious issues, he eventually surprised her with a sweet and heartfelt tribute, which became a pivotal moment not only in the couple’s relationship but also for the fans of the sitcom.

Tbbt fans still remember Simon Helberg’s most heartwarming Big Bang Theory moment

The Big Bang Theory’s Season 7 episode, The Romance Resonance, could arguably be one of the most chaotic episodes of the series. However, at the center of it all is Howard performing...

Things were looking grim for the Melissa Rauch-led Night Court reboot at NBC following its cancellation after three seasons. Despite hopes from the team that the sitcom could find a new home for courtroom hijinks by shopping the series, initial reports from TV Line revealed that nobody was biting on bringing back Judge Abby Stone and her staff for another run. Now, Rauch has delivered the show its sentence. In a recent post on Instagram, she finally addressed the show's end and revealed that, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the Manhattan municipal court will be remaining closed.

"I have held off on posting anything about Night Court not continuing until I knew we did everything in our power to find another home for it," Rauch said to open her post. As a longtime fan of the original Reinhold Weege series starring Harry Anderson, the reboot was a...

After NBC canceled Night Court, there was hope that the show could find a new home, but according to star Melissa Rauch, it's now officially dead in the water. The network axed the sitcom (a revival of the '80s series of the same name) in May 2025. NBC's decision came a few days following the Night Court season 3 finale, which ended in an unfortunate cliffhanger that will no longer be resolved.

Rauch and the other executive producers tried to find a new home for Night Court in the wake of its cancelation. However, those attempts were ultimately unsuccessful. In an Instagram post, Rauch explained, "...after turning over all the stones there were to be turned over, we've learned that it is officially the hour to say 'farewell.'" So, the beloved sitcom won't continue on a different network or streaming service, and the Night Court season 3 finale will serve as the series finale.

After 279 episodes filled with science jokes, awkward romances, and comic book debates, The Big Bang Theory still had one major idea that never made it to air. Despite being one of the most successful sitcoms of all time, the creators had something grand in mind – something that could have easily changed the show’s legacy.

The same was revealed by co-creator Bill Prady in an interview, and he detailed the exact reason why the idea just never came together. Whether it was timing or logistics, the most ambitious plan of the Big Bang remained just that – a plan. And now, fans are left wondering what could’ve been. Let’s dive deeper!

Bill Prady reveals The Big Bang Theory couldn’t pull off a live Comic-Con episode

At first glance, a Big Bang Theory episode set at Comic-Con seems like a no-brainer. The show’s main characters are obsessed with all things nerdy,...

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"The Big Bang Theory" introduced many memorable characters during its 12-season run, but only one of them remained stubbornly off-screen despite her prominence in Howard Wolowitz's (Simon Helberg) storylines. Howard's domineering mother Debbie Wolowitz (voiced by Carol Ann Susi) is the most prominent parental figure in the series despite never fully appearing onscreen and plays a notable supporting role until her shocking death in "The Big Bang Theory" season 8, episode 15, "The Comic Book Store Regeneration." Real events dictated Mrs. Wolowitz's unexpected death, as Susi died of cancer at the age of 62 in 2014, and the show opted against recasting the character.

In a way, we actually see Mrs. Wolowitz -- or, rather, Susi -- on the show thanks to a picture of the actor that's on Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon's (Jim Parsons) fridge as a homage to Susi...

Even after six years of its conclusion, The Big Bang Theory still remains one of television’s most successful sitcoms. Famous for its quirky scientists, geek culture references, and a cast that quickly captivated millions, the show is still loved by many. But beyond all the laughter and science jokes, the sitcom has also made subtle strides in representing the real world of science.

That’s right – in an interview, the co-creator revealed the real reason why actor Kunal Nayyar was cast in Big Bang. Let’s dive deeper to know how Nayyar’s Raj Koothrappali brought more authenticity to the show.

Kunal Nayyar was cast to reflect real diversity in science, says Tbbt creator

When The Big Bang Theory was in its early stages of development, the creators wanted the sitcom to reflect the real world, especially the world of science. While they hired real-life experts to ensure that...

"The Big Bang Theory" aired for 12 successful seasons and ended on its own terms, allowing Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik), and Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz (Melissa Rauch) to bow out on a happy note. The show also spawned the spin-offs "Young Sheldon," "Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage," and the upcoming "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," so viewers can look forward to the franchise continuing for years to come. However, the original series is still as popular as ever, and some folks would love to see it return down the line -- but what are the chances of that actually happening?

In an interview with the New York Post, Nayyar revealed that he's open to playing Raj again someday. At the same time, he believes that the "Big Bang Theory" should be given...

Here are some cold hard facts: "The Big Bang Theory," the CBS sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, ran for 12 years, the same number of seasons, and an incredible 279 episodes. After it kicked off in 2007, the show almost floundered during its first season but was improbably saved, in a way, by the writers' strike that took place until 2008; after that, the series was an unquestionable and undeniable success. Stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik — who play Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, Penny, Howard Wolowitz, Raj Koothrappali, Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, and Amy Farrah Fowler, respectively — were all skyrocketed to fame and acclaim, and Parsons even took home a handful of Emmys for his leading role. With all of this context in mind, it can be hard to winnow down the "best" episodes of "The Big Bang Theory," partly because of the sheer number and partly because,...