Even CBS Execs Agree This Character Was TBBT's 'Secret Sauce' – and It's Not Sheldon
The Big Bang Theory was the galaxy and Sheldon its sun, but he wasn’t the only force behind its success.
Centered around a group of geeky social misfits, The Big Bang Theory is undeniably one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. Funny, relatable, and bingeable, the show eventually became something of a cultural phenomenon, cue Sheldon's "Bazinga!"
All the attention seemed to be focused on Sheldon Cooper, the eccentric genius, and his nerdy but more down to earth roommate-turned-best friend, Leonard. He was the show's main character, and the most unique and memorable of the group; the face of the show, but even the big bosses behind the series will agree that he wasn't everything that made the show what it was.
The Big Bang Theory could be considered an astronomical success, but Sheldon wasn't the whole reason for the show's fame and popularity. It was the bubbly blonde girl next door.
Not only did Penny bring Sheldon and Leonard out of their shells, she brought something special to the show as a whole.
Penny was the element that gave the show more personality; she added something different to the geeky group dynamic, but at the same time embraced her nerdy friends. Penny's character was an instant hit with fans and a favorite to the end, but she almost didn't exist.
The original pilot episode was filmed with a completely different actress and character in mind. Amanda Walsh's character, Katie, was recast after an unsuccessful screen test, as her character felt too harsh and the dynamic between her, Sheldon and Leonard was off.
The creators of The Big Bang Theory decided to try again, this time bringing in Kaley Cuoco to play not Katie, but Penny, a warmer version of the same character from the creators' vision.
Former CBS executive Nina Tassler credits Penny with saving The Big Bang Theory: "There was so much about the pilot that did work. But there were parts of the script that didn’t work, and we had to recast an actress."
Although the concept was brilliant and there was chemistry between the original actress and the other lead, something was missing, so Tassler asked co-creator Chuck Lorre to try again, which he agreed to do. Kaley Cuoco was cast as Penny, the pilot was reshot, and the rest is history.
It's almost impossible to imagine The Big Bang Theory without Penny, and there's no denying that she was, in fact, the secret sauce that helped make the show everything it was.
Source: Emmy magazine (via The Direct).