Big Bang Theory: These scenes were all improvised
In “The Big Bang Theory” there are some scenes that were not even in the script but were improvised by the actors. But they were so good that the producers still used them and showed them in the series.
Many characters in comedy series delight us with their humor and quick wit. In fact, most of the jokes and details about the scenes are exactly as they were in the script. The actors rarely improvised their lines – and most of these scenes didn’t even make it into the final version of the series.
In “The Big Bang Theory” there are some scenes that were written differently in the script. But the spontaneous moments were so good that they were allowed to stay in the movie. You can learn about these scenes here.
Big Bang Theory: “I Love You” was improvised
In the episode “The Guitarist on the Couch” (Season 3, Episode 7), Sheldon is in Stuart’s comic book store. Leonard and Penny come looking for him. When Leonard wants to talk to Sheldon, Penny and Stuart are left alone for a short time. Stuart asks how Penny is doing – Sheldon told him that she and Leonard had a falling out. Penny replies that everything is fine and returns to Leonard and Sheldon. At that moment Stuart said “I love you” but Penny could no longer hear him.
Stuart’s confession of his love to Penny was not in the script. Actor Stuart Kevin Sussman later said that it was because of this line that the producers invited him back to guest star. Later in the series, he became a permanent member of the cast.
Kaley Couco broke her leg
Of the five characters who have been there since the beginning, Penny is the only one who hasn’t appeared in every episode. That’s because actress Kaley Cuoco broke her leg while riding a horse. In season 4, she goes missing in episodes 5 and 6. To keep Penny from joining the show with the cast, another solution was found: she quit her job as a waitress and became a maid. The actress stood behind the counter and no one noticed that she was wearing a cast.
A piece of paper on Sheldon’s shoulder
In the episode “The Wrong True Friend” (Season 4, Episode 9), Penny and Leonard are no longer together. Ever since Penny’s father came to visit them, they acted as if they were still a couple. Unaware of this lie, Sheldon revises the roommate agreement to include an appropriate provision regarding Leonard’s relationship with Penny.
When Leonard tells him that he and Penny are no longer together, Sheldon gets so angry that he throws the deal into the air. More leaves flew around – and a piece of paper landed on Sheldon’s shoulder. Luckily, actor Jim Parsons didn’t show anything, he calmly said his next line. This is how the scene was included in the episode.
Im Parsons actually spanked Mayim Bialik
The next scene on our list also features Jim Parsons. In the episode “Punishment Must Be” (Season 6, Episode 10), Amy (played by Mayim Bialik) was sick and Sheldon took care of her. Even when she feels better, she still acts as if she’s sick – precisely because she enjoys being taken care of by Sheldon. Sheldon learns that Amy lied and punishes her by holding her in his arms and spanking her.
As the actors later revealed, they weren’t just acting out the scene: the beating was real. Parsons actually hit Bialik to make the scene look real.
Wil Wheaton in Star Trek uniform
As TBBT fans know, several episodes also feature an actor who previously starred in the Star Trek series: Wil Wheaton. With his appearance in the episode “Premiere Fever” (Season 9, episode 11), he not only surprised the viewers but also the cast and crew of “The Big Bang Theory”.
Leonard, Howard and Raj are at the movie theater, eagerly awaiting the release of the new “Star Wars” movie. Wil Wheaton joined them. But to spite “Star Wars” fans, he wore a “Star Trek” uniform: He dressed like Mr. Spock. The reaction of moviegoers soon followed; they were indignant. However, according to Wheaton, it was not just the reactions of the supporting characters but also of the cast members. Only a few people knew about his plans and most of his colleagues were as surprised as the audience present.
Sheldon’s speech makes Kaley Cuoco cry
Many fans don’t know that Kaley Cuoco actually cried during many episodes. According to her colleagues, she often cried on set, even when not in front of the camera but just watching her colleagues filming emotional scenes.
The best example of real tears is the final episode of the series. In “Stockholm Syndrome” (Season 12, Episode 24), Sheldon receives the Nobel Prize and gives a speech. He talked about how important his “second family” was to him, naming his friends and asking them to stand in the audience. The speech – and perhaps the episode’s last – made Cuoco cry. So her tears in this scene were real.
Bernadette’s new voice
So far we have covered the scenes that can be seen in several episodes. But something else was improvised – and we only noticed over time: Bernadette’s voice changed.
When Melissa Rauch joined the cast in season 3, Bernadette still had a “normal” voice. However, the actress began speaking higher and faster. This is why Bernadette ended up speaking so shrilly at some point – it wasn’t originally intended to be that way.
