TBBT Would've Been Canceled If It Hadn't Been For This Character's Addition

Summary

• The Big Bang Theory wasn't a hit right from the start.
• The addition of the character in question to the main cast introduced many much-needed changes to the show.
• The character stood out from the rest of the cast and was beloved by the audience for it.

Any true TBBT fan knows that the cult sitcom wasn't very popular at the time of its release. Moreover, Season 1 remains one of the lowest rated of all the series. However, The Big Bang Theory has managed to span an astounding twelve seasons and become one of the most popular comedy shows, boasting hordes of fans from all over the world.

Obviously, The Big Bang Theory has gotten better and better over the years. But it's not so clear what happened – what helped the sitcom win over viewers? It was probably the diversification of the main cast. Specifically, there was one vibrant character who brought more pizzazz and charisma to the table and may have saved the entire show from failure.

A Bundle of Vigor

Despite her diminutive stature, Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski was one of the show's most charismatic characters. Making her debut in the middle of Season 3 of The Big Bang Theory, the character shook up the gang with her boundless energy and quickly proved to be an indispensable part of the show.

Bernadette was a breath of fresh air for viewers who had grown tired of the dormant gang of scientists and their reclusive lifestyle. It was also nice to see another woman in the cast, which allowed for many more storylines and eventually led to the establishment of some of TBBT's most popular character arcs.

Finally, Bernadette's addition allowed Howard to mature into a likable character, as opposed to his original version – a creep and a pervert – which turned off most viewers. And it helped Penny, who really lacked female companionship on the show.

Checking All Boxes

There's another reason Bernadette was crucial to The Big Bang Theory. Prior to her addition, there was no main character of substance and nuance, as the gang was a collection of tropes and stereotypes to be laughed at. Bernadette, on the other hand, stood out for her complexity.

Aside from having a Ph.D. in microbiology, Bernadette was a true lady, always looking her best, speaking in a high-pitched voice, and exuding an aura of ultimate femininity. At the same time, she had a demanding and contentious demeanor and wasn't afraid to take what she wanted. Needless to say, this complexity resonated with audiences. And on a larger scale, she improved The Big Bang Theory as a whole, making it the show we know and love.