The Big Bang Theorymay be Americas No.
We did seven or eight episodes and then the writers strike hit, star Johnny Galecki tells EW.
We had a lot of things that were stacked against us.
Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS
However, the writers strike may have been a blessing in disguise.
I said, All right, maybe this is something.
Who wouldve thought it would have this kind of lasting power.
Were still amazed by everything thats been happening.
Were not a procedural, theres no mystery being solved here, theres no crime being revealed.
Thats not to say the actors werent champing at the bit for more in the beginning, though.
The cast, we were all so excited to play these roles.
Chuck was like, Its best to be patient with it.
Otherwise, its been slow and its great.
It keeps the characters relatable and recognizable, [and] friends and family to the audience.
And thats exactly what was key to the shows success, according to Lorre.
I think that surrogate family quality is magical and mysterious.
Its definitely happening with these guys.
If you ask the cast, that familial feeling comes down to what the brain trust behindBig Banghave created.
Its the writing, Nayyar says.
On the flip side, the executive producers feel the same way about their stars.
Theres a beautiful Sheldon-Penny scene in the 200th episode.
I think it opened up a lot of plot points, Bialik concurs.
I dont want to take credit for that.
Soon the comedy went from the little show that could into an unstoppable juggernaut.
I had watched too many wonderfully done shows go off the air after seven episodes or one season.
You just cant know.
Thats really the audience gathering around and telling their friends and family, Galecki says.
Thats really due to the [fans].
We were not, by any stretch of the imagination, a hit show, Lorre says.
I went, Okay, somethings happening.
This is so unanticipated.
Somethings happening here thats remarkable and we never saw it coming.'
Going into season 3,The Big Bang Theorythen moved behindTwo and a Half Menon the schedule.
Everything exploded, Parsons says.
The great thing was is we had those two years before us under our belt.
We had a foundation under our feet.
So when the ratings got so much higher, it was only a time to rejoice.
It wasnt freaky in any way, because it didnt change the show.
The show was already the show, we just had the chance to expose it to more eyeballs.
Thats when it was on the air 10 hours a day and people started recognizing us on the street.
Thats when life became different.
Even with the shows success, some of the cast were still pinching themselves.
I still dont know where the turning point is, Cuoco says.
I still think were struggling.
I still think this show is teetering.
I still hope people will watch the next episode.
You just never know ever.
I think I can put a nail in there and feel confident Ill be here tomorrow.
It was always a reasonable or healthy amount of skepticism.
We really enjoy the hell out of it.
Were not tired of it.
The only thing I can point to is that its still very fun to make, he says.
When something is fun to make, I think that shows in the final product.
We still like each other and its still fun to make.
The Big Bang Theoryairs Thursdays at 8 p.m.
