CBS’ The Big Bang Theory got a huge boost from fans at Comic-Con today, as thousands of Sheldon and Leonard converts packed a ballroom to hear whether the actors are as smart as their small-screen counterparts (no) and whether the dense mathematical problems featured on the show are accurate (yes). "We have a consultant who is a professor of astrophysics at UCLA. He answers all the criticism," explained executive producer Chuck Lorre, who was joined on the panel by fellow EP Billy Prady and stars Johnny Galecki (Leonard, pictured left), Jim Parsons (Sheldon, pictured right), Kaley Cuoco (Penny, pictured center), Simon Helberg (Howard), and Kunal Nayyar (Rajnesh).
The producers then regaled the crowd with a little Big Bang trivia: the literary archetype for Helberg’s Howard is Pepe Le Pew, and they actually shot two Big Bang pilots, because the first one from two and a half years ago "really sucked" (no, Lorre’s not sure whether it’ll show up as an extra someday on the Big Bang DVD). And despite conventional wisdom about Sheldon, Prady never meant Parsons’ socially-awkward character to suffer from Asperger’s syndrome. "We don’t think his mom ever took him in for a diagnosis," says Prady.
The panel saved the best news for last, though: Sara Gilbert, who recurred as the brainy Leslie Winkle last season, will return for several more episodes beginning this fall.
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I love this show.
I love this show too. I have a very brainy, geeky young son who gets a kick out seeing his ‘peers’ on TV. Very funny!
Howard…Pepe Le Pew…my GAWD, that explains so much! *lol*
I still love “How I Met Your Mother,” but I find myself looking forward to “The Big Bang Theory” more than HIMYM every week!!
Best new sitcom in years. I love The Big Bang Theory. I can’t wait for the new episodes starting on September 22.
HIMYM and BBT, funniest hour on TV. Love it!
Very excited that Sara Gilbert will be back for more episodes! I loved Roseanne, I started watchingt he show at first just because I heard Johnny Galecki would be in it and it is so funny, best new comedy in a long time
Maybe he was never meant to have Asperger’s, but it’s very obvious that he does
I think all four guys have it, actually, though Leonard’s is most severe.