The motley group of science geeks who form an unlikely bond with a stunning waitress was the magic potion that made The Big Bang Theory one of the most popular shows on television. Led brilliantly by Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, the ensemble cast of Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kaley Cuoco,Mayim Bialik, and Kunal Nayyar provided multiple moments of laughter and entertainment to audiences worldwide.
A still from The Big Bang Theory (image credit: CBS)
Before the culmination of the 12th and final season of the series, the cast members revealed their wishes for how they would want to see the narrative and their character arcs end. Parsons and Kuoco had a specific desire for the infamous broken elevator that became part and parcel of the sitcom. As it turned out, their wish was granted.
The Big Bang Theory Finale Fulfilled One Long-Standing Desire For These Two Stars
For 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory entered fans’ living rooms and provided unforgettable moments through its witty and humorous narrative involving a bunch of science nerds and a stunning blond beauty. Apart from the excellent chemistry between the ensemble cast, there were inanimate objects too that became pivotal to the storyline.
Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, and Johnny Galecki in the finale of The Big Bang Theory (image credit: CBS)
The broken elevator was one such constant feature in the lives of these friends. Jim Parsons’ Sheldon Cooper referred to it being built in 1852, and revealed that it had been out of order since 2003, which was four years before the series began. We are also told in one of the episodes in season 1 tthat Leonard’s failed experiment involving exploding rocket fuel which he was transporting down the elevator, was the cause for its malfunction.
Over the seasons, the elevator became integral to the characters’ actions and moods as they huffed and puffed up and down the stairs while wondering if this problem will ever be fixed. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly ahead of the filming of the final season, the stars of the show sat down to look back on their work and expressed their individual desire on how the series should end.
Jim Parsons and Kaley Kuoco both expressed similar thoughts which had to do with the perfect culmination of the broken elevator’s arc. Both actors desperately wished to see it being finally fixed which would work as a fitting finale to the series. Parsons said,
The elevator, definitely. That’s one of my wishes for the final episode.The elevator gets fixed, at least for a minute, and then we all get stuck in it.
As it turned out, creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady were listening intently. After 16 years and 12 seasons, the penultimate 23rd episode of the series titled The Change Constant saw the broken elevator finally getting a facelift as it comes up and opens its doors to show Kuoco’s Penny coming out of it.
Kaley Cuoco Listed Her Worst Plotline From The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory’s brilliant narrative involving a bunch of science geeks and a stunning wannabe actor became one of the most watched sitcoms owing to its characterization and razor-sharp humor. Kaley Cuoco who was an integral part of the ensemble, confessed that not all aspects of the narrative impressed her.
Kaley Cuoco in the episode titled Serial Apeist in The Big Bang Theory (image credit: CBS)
The actor elaborated on Season 7 and the Serial Apeist episode which followed her character’s arc as a struggling small-town beauty who aspires to make it big in Hollywood. Cuoco who had to be covered completely with hair resembling an ape, was extremely reluctant for the scene to appear in the show.
In Jessica Radloff’s book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series (via Startefacts), she recalled the physical discomfort she felt in a costume that also made her look ridiculous and the laughing stock on set.
The worst experience was filming Serial Apeist and getting covered in hair from head to toe. I was like, ‘Really, you guys? This is what’s happening?’ And Chuck (Lorre) just thought it was so funny. He loved it. I never understood why.
Cuoco suggested that the scene and the entire storyline be cut from the show as she felt that it was not the best thing for her character to go through at that point. But her opinion did not find favor with creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. As it turned out, audiences lapped up this episode wholeheartedly as well.
All 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory can be streamed on Max.
