One of the biggest shows of the last decade was The Big Bang Theory, a sitcom that follows a group of nerdy friends and an unlikely addition from across the hall, which dominated television for 12 seasons. Its popularity sprung two Big Bang Theory spinoffs with a third in the works. This show contributed to normalizing nerd culture and left many outcasts feeling seen. It is hard to believe that the original, unaired pilot was completely different from the show we know and love today.
One common mistake that many similar shows make is the characters’ living situations. As nice as they all look, they give the audience unrealistic expectations about what the characters do for a living and how much money they make. Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard’s (Johnny Galecki) apartment is one of the most recognizable in television history, but it doesn’t accurately depict how much money two scientists working at a university would earn. In the original version of the show, the apartment more closely represented what they could afford.
The Unaired Big Bang Theory Pilot Included A Realistic Apartment For The Main Characters
This Apartment Was For A Harsher Version Of The Big Bang Theory
In the original pilot, the apartment that Sheldon and Leonard share is much different than the large and clean one that we have come to know. It was more accurate to their income in terms of size, lacking light and appearing dingy, what they would likely be able to afford in Pasadena. This wasn’t the only element that underwent a giant overhaul, as Penny wasn’t even named Penny yet. This Big Bang Theory character was played by Amanda Walsh and Kaley Cuoco had yet to be cast. Her name was Katie in this version, and she was much harsher in tone.
The Original Big Bang Theory Apartment May Be Dingier – But Not Smaller
The Apartment Suited The Original Version Of The Show
This version of the apartment better fits the original version of the characters. Sheldon was a drinker and more sexually experienced, not yet the quirky yet slightly irritating guy who seems to just tolerate everyone around him. Katie is homeless and moves in with Sheldon and Leonard — it is mentioned that they have a spare bedroom. This means the apartment might have been bigger than what they ended up with in the series. However, it was gloomy and sad, matching Katie’s current situation and the guys’ unfortunate love life.
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Penny is one of The Big Bang Theory’s most important characters, but co-creator Chuck Lorre admits the show misunderstood her in early episodes.
With the final version of the apartment, Sheldon and Leonard each have a room with no mention of a spare. This change affected the character of Katie/Penny the most. By making the apartment smaller, it was only plausible to give Penny a place of her own across the hall. This way, she could still interact with the guys and maintain independence, also allowing for the ongoing storyline of Leonard pining over Penny from a distance.
The Big Bang Theory Made The Right Choice Changing The Apartment
Their Apartment Is One Of The Most Iconic In Television History
Although the apartment is somewhat unrealistic, the change was the right choice. We know that Sheldon and Leonard made a decent amount of money from their jobs at Caltech. While it might be a stretch, it is not entirely unreasonable to believe that they can afford it. Sheldon is very conscientious about his money and only spends it when he deems it necessary (mostly on comic books and trains). It is also safe to assume that Leonard is a responsible spender because he is able to help Penny get a new car.
On the other hand, Sheldon is a neat freak, and it would be hard to imagine him in a dark and dirty environment. By making it lighter, it is also much easier to see all the memorabilia and Easter eggs hidden in the background. One of the most important pieces of a sitcom is the set as it helps define who these characters are. This is a place in The Big Bang Theory we know our way around even though we have never been there physically, and it is a welcoming environment. Just don’t sit in Sheldon’s spot.
The Big Bang Theory is available to stream via Max.
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6/10
- Release Date
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2007 – 2019-00-00
- Showrunner
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Mark Cendrowski
- Directors
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Mark Cendrowski
- Writers
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Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady
