The Big Bang Theory The definitive, inside story of the epic hit series

Jessica Radloff

Book - 2022

"The Big Bang Theory is a television phenomenon. To the casual viewer, it's a seemingly effortless comedy, with relatable characters tackling real-life issues, offering a kind of visual comfort food to its millions of dedicated fans. But the behind-the-scenes journey of the show from a failed pilot to a global sensation is a fascinating story that even the most die-hard fans don't know in its entirety. THE BIG BANG THEORY: THE DEFINITIVE, INSIDE STORY OF THE EPIC HIT SERIES is a riveting, entertaining look at the sitcom sensation, with the blessing and participation of co-creator Chuck Lorre and executive producer Steve Molaro, as well as Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Ma...yim Bialik, and more. Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff, who has written over 150 articles on the series (and even had a cameo in the finale!), gives readers an all-access pass to its intrepid producing and writing team and beloved cast. It's a story of on-and-off-screen romance told in hilarious and emotional detail, of casting choices that nearly changed everything (which even some of the actors didn't know until now), of cast members bravely powering through personal tragedies, and when it came time to announce the 12th season would be its last, the complicated reasons why it was more difficult than anyone ever let on. Through hundreds of hours of interviews with the sitcom's major players, Radloff dives into all this and much more. The book is the ultimate celebration of this once-in-a-generation show and a must-have for all fans"--

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Subjects
Genres
Anecdotes
Biographies
Published
New York, NY : Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group 2022.
Language
English
Main Author
Jessica Radloff (author)
Edition
First edition
Item Description
Includes index.
Physical Description
xiii, 505 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm
ISBN
9781538708491
  • List of Contributors
  • Foreword
  • Introduction: How the Reunion Came to Be
  • 1. Where It All Started
  • 2. Casting Leonard, Sheldon ... and Katie
  • 3. The Pilot-Take Two
  • 4. Laying the Foundation ... Literally
  • Time for a Hot Beverage ... Stairway to 4A
  • 5. Growing Pains and a Miracle Disguised as a Writers' Strike
  • 6. The Comic-Con Initiation
  • 7. Anything But a Sophomore Slump
  • Time for a Hot Beverage ... Atom Breaks
  • 8. Note Cards, a Special Cologne, and an Eidetic Memory
  • Time for a Hot Beverage ... Hoodies, Orthopedic Shoes, and Alien Pins: The Secrets of the Costume Design
  • 9. The Universe Expands
  • 10. The Love Story of Leonard & Penny and Johnny & Kaley
  • 11. With Great Risk Comes Even Greater Reward
  • 12. Jim Parsons and the Role That Changed Everything
  • 13. The Syndication Explosion
  • 14. The Sensational Season Six
  • 15. Behind the Scenes of Stage 25
  • 16. The Emmys, a Scavenger Hunt, and the Storyline Kaley Cuoco Hated
  • 17. The Toughest Year Yet
  • Time for a Hot Beverage ... Lunch Break
  • 18. "The Opening Night Excitation"
  • 19. Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and the Very Real Truths About Parenthood
  • 20. The Pay Cuts, a Set Shake-Up, and the Proposal That Brought the House Down
  • 21. Luke Skywalker Comes to Pasadena
  • Time for a Hot Beverage ... Secrets of the Whiteboards
  • 22. Back to the Past: Bringing Young Sheldon to Life
  • 23. The Lorre Legacy
  • 24. The Decision to End the Show
  • 25. The Final Goodbye
  • Epilogue
  • Acknowledgments
  • Index
Review by Kirkus Book Review

A fun look at the sitcom megahit. The Big Bang Theory had an impressive run: 279 episodes over 12 "mostly joyful but always laugh-filled years," as co-creator Chuck Lorre puts it in his brief foreword. Radloff, the West Coast Editor for Glamour, digs into the series with in-depth interviews with the cast, directors, writers, technicians, and many of the guests. The behind-the-scenes approach is never particularly critical, but the author still offers crucial insights. The concept of the series--four smart but socially inept guys meet one ditzy wannabe actress--did not fit the Hollywood formula. However, because the creators, Lorre and Bill Prady, had launched numerous successful TV shows, CBS allowed them room to experiment. When the series finally aired, the viewer numbers were average, but there was a steady increase. More importantly, the show built a strong group of loyalists. Though it was an ensemble show, Sheldon (played by Jim Parsons), brilliant and neurotic, emerged as the protagonist. Radloff acknowledges that much of the action was driven by the Leonard-Penny relationship (Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco), but she believes that it was the connection between Sheldon and Penny that provided the emotional heart, at least during the early seasons. The writing staff and directing crew changed over time, which kept the ideas fresh. By the fifth season, the series had become enormously popular, and the risky introduction of new characters worked out well. Radloff ties the success of the series to its willingness to challenge the boundaries of the sitcom form, but the quality could not have been maintained without talented writing and direction as well as actors willing to commit to their roles. There was a sense that it ended at an appropriate time, leaving on a high note. As a bonus, the author reveals Penny's maiden name. Entertaining in its own right, this book examines the how and why behind the success of a landmark series. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.