Dramatic Secrets Behind The Scenes Of The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is a unique kind of success story. Somehow, a bunch of nerds in a brightly colored apartment complex completely stole America's heart. This show is coming to an end soon, so now is a perfect time to take a look back at some of the crazy things and dramatic moments that happened behind the scenes of this now iconic show.
Keep reading to learn which two of his castmates Johnny Galecki actually dated.
Melissa Rauch Doesn't Sound Anything Like Bernadette In Real Life
Bernadette's high pitched voice is all an act. Melissa Rauch's actual voice is way lower than Bernadette's— which is good because I find Bernadette's voice pretty annoying.
I wonder if it strains her voice to speak in that high-pitched voice for hours at a time?
The Cast Makes A Ton Of Money Per Episode
Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, and Johnny Galecki all make a whopping one million dollars per episode. Now I understand why they're so upset about the show is ending.
I'd be upset too if I was missing out on literally millions of dollars. I'm sure they're going to be just fine though.
The Rest Of The Cast Makes Less
The rest of the series regulars only make $750,000 per episode. That's right. I said "only." $750,000 sounds like a lot, but it's not that much compared to a million dollars.
How many episodes have there been of this show so far? That's a lot of money...
Mayim Bialik Was On The Show Before She Was On The Show
The Big Bang Theory characters spoke about Mayim Bialik before her character, Amy Farrah Fowler, was even written into the show.
In the episode where Sheldon quits the physics bowl team, Raj suggests they replace him with Mayim Bialik, the actress who played Blossom on Blossom because she has Ph.D. in real life.
Johnny Galecki And Kaley Cuoco Dated Secretly For Several Years
Everyone knows about Leonard and Penny's onscreen romance, but did you know that Kaley Cuoco and Johny Galecki dated in real life while they were filming the show?
They were so secretive about their relationship that even their castmates didn't know about it. They dated from 2007-2009.
The "Soft Kitty" Song Was Stolen
The song seems innocent enough. Co-creator Bill Prady actually heard the song for the first time at his daughter's pre-school. In 2015, when his daughter's teacher, Edith Newlin found out that he stole the song for the show, she sued The Big Bang Theory.
She wrote the song in 1937.
Sheldon Was Supposed To Be Really Sexually Active
Sheldon's disinterest in romantic and sexual relationships seems to be a defining element of his character. In the original script for the show's pilot, Sheldon was something of a ladies' man.
It seems weird now, but he was actually supposed to hook up with several women in the show's first episode.
Johnny Galecki Was Supposed To Always Be Wearing A Suit, Not Hoodies
Don't get me wrong, Johnny Galecki looks excellent in a suit, but hoodies are kind of Leonard's thing. I almost can't even imagine Leonard in a suit, even though Johnny Galecki is wearing a suit in this picture.
Johnny just seems like more of a suit guy than Leonard.
Penny Was Originally Supposed To Be Played By Amanda Walsh
The original "hot chick" in The Big Bang Theory was supposed to be played by Amanda Walsh instead of Kaley Cuoco. You know Amanda Walsh from Lost and Much Music.
I honestly can't imagine anyone else playing the role of Penny. Kaley is just so perfect for the part.
There's An Alternate Version Of The Show In Belarus
There's a knock-off version of The Big Bang Theory airing in Belarus as we speak. You can find clips of it on YouTube, but honestly, it's pretty hard to watch.
Let's just say that the production quality isn't really up to par with what we're used to.
Jim Parsons Has Actually Never Seen An Episode Of Star Trek
Even though Sheldon is a die-hard Star Trek fan, Jim Parsons has actually never seen an episode of the iconic television show. Every nerd in the world is disappointed, Jim.
Star Trek is actually a fantastic show. If you like The Big Bang Theory, you should give it a watch.
Every Elevator Scene Is Filmed On Just One Floor
Every time you see an out of order elevator on this show, it's actually the same set and the same elevator. The stair-climbing scenes are just cut together to make it look like they've seen an out of order elevator on every floor.
How's that for movie magic?
The Pilot Had A Completely Different Theme Song
The Big Bang Theory's theme song sung by The Barenaked Ladies might just be the best thing about the show. The iconic song wasn't always tied to the T.V. show, though.
The show's first ever episode had Thomas Dolby's 1983 hit "She Blinded Me With Science" as its theme.
Most Of The Cast Members Are Skilled Musicians
Johnny Galecki has been a cellist from a young age, while Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik learned several instruments for the show.
These people are so talented. Are you telling me that Mayim Bialik is an actress and a neuroscientist, and a musician? That's just not fair.
The Show Might Actually Be About The Apocalypse
Some fans have theorized that the whole show is secretly all about the end of the world.
According to this theory, Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and Howard are the modern day equivalents of Einstein and Tesla. However, they're far too concerned with things like TV and girls to get anything done.
All Of Howard's Toys Are Girly
Howard only owns female action figures. This is a character who's definitely secure in his masculinity. The girl action figures are way better anyway.
Howard's luck with ladies in real life hasn't always been the greatest, so he found his own less real ladies who would never say no to him.
Sara Gilbert Discovered She Was Gay While Dating Johnny Galecki
Johnny Galecki and Sara Gilbert, who plays Leslie Winkle on The Big Bang Theory, actually dated years ago while they were on Roseanne together.
It was around this time that Gilbert realized she was gay. "I eventually told him I thought [my depression] was about my sexuality, and he was super sweet about it," Gilbert recalled.
We Still Don't Know Penny's Surname
We know every character's last name except for Penny's. Apparently, Kaley Cuoco wants to keep Penny's full name a mystery.
Co-creator Bill Prady has said that her name will be revealed eventually, but other producers have said that we may never find out what it is.
Mayim Bialik Has A Ph.D. In Neuroscience In Real Life
So you probably knew this already, but Mayim Bialik doesn't just play a neuroscientist on TV. In 2007, she earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience studies.
After filming Blossom as a child, she was accepted at Harvard and Yale, but she ultimately decided to study at UCLA.
There's A Real Bee Named After Sheldon's Catchphrase
A new bee species was discovered In 2012 in Brazil, and scientists named it the euglossa bazinga after Sheldon's favorite word.
Scientist André Nemésio said, "Sheldon Cooper's favorite comic word 'bazinga', used by him when tricking somebody, was here chosen to represent the character. Euglossa bazinga has tricked us for some time due to its similarity to E ignita, what led us to use 'bazinga'."
A Grapefruit Helped Create The Word 'Bazinga'
Sheldon's catchphrase, 'bazinga' was first spoken on the show in the season two finale, but its origin story is actually pretty silly.
Writer Stephen Engel used the word to say 'Gotcha' in a recurring backstage gag involving an old grapefruit in the writers' room. The word eventually made its way into the script. What kind of gag can you pull with a grapefruit?
CBS Gave It A Three-Season Renewal. Twice.
To say this show was popular would be an understatement. Networks rarely get three-season renewals, but this show got two of them.
No other show in modern TV history has ever gotten two back to back three-season renewals. The show announced that the next season would be its final season, but it definitely had a good run.
The Characters Originally Had Different Names
When this show was first pitched to networks, it was titled, Lenny, Penny, and Kenny. That means that Sheldon was originally going to be named Kenny, which just doesn't feel right.
In the original pilot, Amanda Walsh played Penny, but the character was named Katie at the time.
Nearly Everyone Has Seen Penny Naked
Even though Howard was the first character to flirt with Penny, he's the only male series regular who hasn't seen her naked.
Leonard has obviously seen her naked many times. Raj had a sort of one night stand with her, and Sheldon helped Penny get to the hospital after she fell in the shower.
Amy Was Nearly Played By Kate Micucci
Kate Micucci eventually joined The Big Bang Theory cast as a love interest for Raj, but she originally auditioned for the role of Amy Farrah Fowler.
When she didn't get the role of Amy, producers kept her on file for future parts. She was amazing as Lucy, and I can't imagine anyone else playing that part.
Kunal Nayyar Has A Really Attractive Wife
Even though Raj has some trouble connecting with the ladies on The Big Bang Theory, Kunal Nayyar, the actor who plays him, is married to model, actress, and beauty queen Neha Kapur.
Neha won Femina Miss India in 2006 and represented India at the Miss Universe pageant that year.
Johnny Galecki And Mayim Bialik Go Way Back
One of Johnny Galecki's first roles was on an episode of Blossom, which starred Mayim Bialik. He played her love interest in the episode and he even took her to a "make out party."
It's so cool that these two were able to reconnect years later on a hugely successful show. I wonder if Mayim Bialik even remembers Johnny from that episode.
In The 100th Episode Of The Show, Penny Is Wearing The Same Shirt She Wore In The Very First Episode
What a great way to bring everything full circle. In the episode, Leonard asks Penny out again. The costume choice is probably a sign that he's falling in love with her all over again.
I love these subtle nods to the show's long an rich history. The show recently hit its 200 episode milestone.
There Aren't Any Lenses In Leonard's Glasses
Johnny Galecki had to pop the lenses out of Leonard's glasses because Jim Parsons is so much taller than him. Every time he looked up at Sheldon, the lights in the studio would reflect off of his glasses.
I couldn't even tell that the glasses didn't have any lenses in them.
All Of The Numbers On The Show Mean Something
Sheldon often wears a shirt with the number 73 on it. Jim Parsons was born in 1973.
Will Wheaton's character on the show lives in the house 1701, which is a reference to the serial number of the USS Enterprise on Star Trek! Amy lives in apartment number 314, which is a reference to pi, 3.14159...
