One Real-Life Person Inspired Both Raj & Sheldon on Big Bang Theory
It would appear that some of the show's characters may not be as fictional as some originally believed.
The Big Bang Theory is undoubtedly one of the most popular sitcoms ever. Its success owes a great deal to its ensemble of vibrant main characters, who have demonstrated that even the most eccentric and quirky individuals can be universally adored by millions of viewers worldwide.
However, during the show's initial run, some fans criticised series creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady for writing Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj as walking-talking caricatures too far removed from reality, arguing that no actual people behaved the way they did. Well, to everyone's surprise, Prady recently revealed in an interview that he actually based Sheldon and Raj on a real person.
Certainly, the duo are the most eccentric characters in the show, each boasting a whole host of quirks and idiosyncrasies. Sheldon's propensity to unsettle people with every uttered sentence and Raj's inability to speak to women while sober served as the punchline of endless jokes throughout the show's twelve-year run. But then again, the most acute viewers often noted that the two were not entirely dissimilar from each other.
In a recent interview, Prady unexpectedly revealed that Sheldon and Raj were at least partially based on a real person: a computer programmer he knew in the 1980s. That individual, like Sheldon, had a knack for startling people with his unconventional behaviour and way of talking. And like Raj, he was known for his selective mutism.
'It was a truly intriguing sight to witness. If we were in conversation and a woman entered the room, he would simply cease speaking. Then, once she left, he would resume his conversation. Obviously, this behaviour didn't go unnoticed. Selective mutism is a real condition often linked to anxiety. He was so anxious around women that his solution was to remain silent,' Prady explained.
Raj and Sheldon really do often feel like two incarnations of the same person, and now we know why. We can't help but wonder if Prady's old pal might have recognised himself while watching The Big Bang Theory.
Source: The Entertainment Weekly.