This Sheldon Scene Changed Big Bang Theory Forever, Says Its Creator
That scene convinced Lorre that this would be a hit show.
It's been four years since the conclusion of The Big Bang Theory, a show about Pasadena scientists and their friends, yet we still can't get over it. After all, we've become incredibly attached to its characters, evolving and growing emotionally with them over the course of the show's twelve seasons.
The show's creators can't seem to get over it either, as Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady regularly share their memories of creating and producing the iconic series. While discussing his favourite scenes in the history of TBBT, Lorre shared a remarkable moment. And, of course, it has to do with the heart of the show, Sheldon Cooper, portrayed by the brilliant Jim Parsons.
Last September, on the 15th anniversary of the pilot episode (crazy how time flies!), Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady chatted with EW about their favourite moments from all 12 seasons. Lorre immediately mentioned the pilot episode, which aired on 24 September 2007. According to him, as soon as he saw Parsons as Sheldon, everything fell into place.
'Jim Parsons' speech about why he sits in that particular spot on the couch in the pilot episode.' Lorre said, describing his favourite scene. 'I think we all watched that and understood something remarkable was happening. There were no real jokes in the speech, it was just a worldview that was so precise, and he brought it to life. It was an astounding moment I'll never forget.'
Even though it was just a pilot episode, Jim Parsons had already perfected the neurotic Sheldon, who was unwilling to accept any changes to his comfortable world consisting of himself, Leonard, and their nerdy pastimes of Dungeons and Dragons, watching Star Trek, and other geek hobbies.
So it's not surprising that Penny, a stranger with completely different values, more open and outgoing, who loves parties and other aspects of 'normal' life, was so taken aback by Sheldon. Parsons' character, after a second, can barely contain himself from snapping, the pace of his speech accelerating — for the unfortunate Sheldon, this is not a fight for a particular spot on the couch (despite the most rational argument in the world), but a fight for a particular way of life.
It's not surprising that Lorre identified this scene as his favourite since it was not only the beginning of the dynamic between Sheldon, Leonard and Penny but also the foundation for the development of the characters for years to come, leading to a wedding and a Nobel Prize.
Source: EW.