Looking Back at ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Series Finale One Year Later (PHOTOS)
Exclusive
Bazinga!
If you miss hearing Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) say that on CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, you’re not alone. Believe it or not, almost a year has passed since the series finale of the long-running comedy (12 seasons and 279 episodes!) aired on May 16, 2019, and it’s still making headlines.
This time around, the sitcom is in the news as one of the important pieces of the HBO Max streaming service. The just-launched streamer, which debuted on May 27, is the first service to have the series available in its entirety.
So it seems like a good time to look back at the Big Bang Theory finale, and lucky for us, the good folks at Warner Brothers Television sent over never-released exclusive photos from the table read and tape night for the series finale.
Scroll down for a walk down memory lane… and if you choke up a little, we’re right there with you.
The Big Bang Theory, Seasons 1-12, Streaming Now, HBO Max
The series finale table read on the Warner Brothers lot in Burbank, CA.
Kaley Cuoco’s character Penny went on quite a journey from the pilot episode when she moved in across the hall from roommates Sheldon and Leonard. Spoiler Alert: The series finale would reveal that Penny is expecting a baby with her now-husband Leonard.
The tears were real during the table read for Johnny Galecki, who played Leonard Hofstadter.
Laughter before tears during the read-through for co-stars Kunal Nayyar (Raj) and Mayim Bialik (Amy).
We’re not the only ones laughing at the series finale — so was Jim Parsons playing his final episode as Sheldon Cooper (though he would go on to narrate the prequel series Young Sheldon as Sheldon).
Executive Producer Chuck Lorre created the iconic series with Bill Prady and, of course, was present at the series finale taping.
So many scenes happened on the couch in Leonard and Sheldon’s Pasadena apartment and the finale would be no different with Simon Helberg (Howard), Johnny Galecki (Leonard), and Kaley Cuoco (Penny).
When the gang goes to Sweden to see Sheldon and Amy receive the Nobel Prize in Physics, problems arise as everyone is fed up with Sheldon’s self-centered actions. This scene happens in the hotel hallway with Simon Helberg (Howard), Mayim Bialik (Amy), Jim Parsons (Sheldon), and Johnny Galecki (Leonard)
Mayim Bialik, with co-star Melissa Rauch (Bernadette) looking on, cheers along the cast and audience during the finale taping.
EP Steve Holland would go on to exec produce The Big Bang Theory spinoff, Young Sheldon.
Kaley Cuoco, here touching up her makeup during the finale taping, would go on to voice DC’s Harley Quinn in the DC Universe animated series and take the lead role in the upcoming HBO Max series The Flight Attendant.
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G
I was an absolute mess...I still can't watch the last episode without totally losing it ...this show was my obsession for 11 yrs .... I'm waiting for YS to be gone soon 😥💔❤️
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T
I watched this and Young Sheldon't S2 finale live when they aired. Absolutely perfect together!!
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P
Yes it was awesome, I was definitely teary eyed.
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G
Friday night with the Morgans is a breath of fresh air. It's great to be invited to visit with the neighbors when they and their neighbors are so interesting and down to earth!
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C
And the staunch ignorance that doesn’t allow someone to enjoy good comedy.
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O
I’m glad that show is off, it was so stupid! so surprised it lasted that long. goes to show the mortality of people.
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J
The writers blew it.
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T
No they didn't. it was a perfect finale
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J
Yes, they blew it. They destroyed the character of Penny and threw her completely under the bus. After saying, over and over and over, that she didn't want to have kids--entire episodes were written around it--all of a sudden in the finale she's "OK" with being pregnant? No, they blew it. The writers ignored who she'd been for the previous 12 seasons and completely ruined her.
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G
Actually, in real life people make the same choices, they end up getting pregnant and find that their perspective changes on everything. To say they “ruined her” is just an ignorant statement.
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J
We'll agree to disagree. I stand by my opinion, and wish that a woman's wishes (even if she's a fictional character) had been respected.
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T
Wishes change
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J
we never saw Penny change her mind, we only saw her saying--over and over--that she didn't want to have kids. We also, over the seasons, heard a zillion times that she wanted to be an actress, but that went nowhere.
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T
Again, dreams change. and unexpected babies DO happen! nothing wrong about it
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O
I too felt that was rushed. She was so determined she did not want kids. It was a large plot point. If there had been more time to see her change her mind, that would he been better. But, it was sudden. Maybe if she'd found out a few episodes sooner and we'd gotten to see her process it, that would have been better character development. It was rushed. I don't think it was wrong of them to change the character's mind. But, it was poorly done. It could have been a great story arc, but we missed out on it.
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T
and wtf is so wrong about changing your mind about having kids???
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P
This was literally one of the best endings I've ever seen in a while lol tf are you sayin'
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