The Big Bang Theory creatives look back at Jim Parsons’ casting as Sheldon Cooper. CBS’ popular sitcom may have officially wrapped up back in May, but its popularity continues with long-time fans reliving the adventures of the Pasadena gang via streaming services. Debuting in 2007 with only five original characters: Sheldon, Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Howard (Simon Helberg) and Raj (Kunal Nayyar), The Big Bang Theory’s cast of characters grew by season 4 with the addition of Melissa Rauch’s Bernadette and Mayim Bialik’s Amy. Despite its ensemble nature, it was clear that Parson’s genius but socially-inept character was the show’s standout.
So, when Parsons expressed that he no longer wanted to return past The Big Bang Theory’s 12th year, CBS decided to just cancel the show altogether rather than attempting to continue moving forward without its most popular character. That’s despite the network hinting at a season 13 given its stellar ratings performance not long before the news of the show ending broke. In the end, the sitcom wrapped up with a one-hour finale that’s full of nostalgic moments, including Sheldon Cooper finally winning a Nobel Prize.
Now that The Big Bang Theory’s 12-year run is complete, the creatives behind the show are reminiscing about its start more than a decade ago, and particularly on how they ended up with Parsons as Sheldon. In a new look at one of the featurettes included in the sitcom’s complete Blu-ray DVD set, creator Chuck Lorre recalls the actor’s impressive audition, but admits that he didn’t think that Parson would be able to perfectly perform the character again. Watch the clip at TV Insider.
Obviously, Lorre was wrong about his assumptions regarding Parsons ability to play Sheldon - evidenced in the actors more than a decade stint as Sheldon. The Big Bang Theory’s creator himself admits this in the same video. Sheldon became so popular that his character stemmed a prequel spin-off also on CBS titled Young Sheldon played by Iain Armitage. One top of executive producing the offshoot, Parsons also provides the narration for the show. And while it’s a long way from having the same following that its parent show has had, the fact that CBS locked Young Sheldon in for two more seasons proves that it’s being positioned as the network’s next big sitcom.
While Parsons’ Sheldon was clearly The Big Bang Theory’s lead character, the show wouldn’t have worked so well if not for the rest of the remaining cast members. Each one of them played well off of Sheldon’s quirks which made for really great TV comedy. The series wasn’t known for its complex writing or deep philosophical narratives, and yet, it was able to amass such a big following because of the overall chemistry among all seven friends. And just like all hit shows, it’s safe to assume that there’s a standing offer to do any form of a reunion because fans would be more than excited about the prospect of seeing the Pasadena gang back on the screen.
More: Young Sheldon Sets Up Georgie’s Big Bang Theory Story
Source: TV Insider
