The Big Bang Theory facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Big Bang Theory
Title screen
Genre	Sitcom
Created by	Chuck Lorre Bill Prady
Directed by	Mark Cendrowski
Starring	Johnny Galecki Jim Parsons Kaley Cuoco Simon Helberg Kunal Nayyar Sara Gilbert Mayim Bialik Melissa Rauch Kevin Sussman Laura Spencer
Theme music composer	Barenaked Ladies
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	12
No. of episodes	279 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Chuck Lorre Bill Prady Lee Aronsohn Steven Molaro Eric Kaplan Maria Ferrari Dave Goetsch Steve Holland
Producer(s)	Faye Oshima Belyeu
Editor(s)	Peter Chakos
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	18–22 minutes
Production company(s)	Chuck Lorre Productions Warner Bros. Television
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	September 24, 2007 (2007-09-24) – May 16, 2019 (2019-05-16)
Chronology
Related shows	Young Sheldon Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage

The Big Bang Theory is a popular American sitcom that aired on CBS from September 24, 2007, to May 16, 2019. Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, the show ran for 12 seasons and had 279 episodes. It was filmed in front of a live audience.

The story is about a group of brilliant but socially awkward scientists and their friends in Pasadena, California. The main characters are Leonard Hofstadter (played by Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons), who are physicists and roommates. Across the hall lives Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco), a waitress and aspiring actress. Their close friends include aerospace engineer Howard Wolowitz (played by Simon Helberg) and astrophysicist Raj Koothrappali (played by Kunal Nayyar).

As the series continued, more characters became central to the story. These included neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler (played by Mayim Bialik), microbiologist Bernadette Rostenkowski (played by Melissa Rauch), and comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (played by Kevin Sussman).

The Big Bang Theory became very successful, especially in its later seasons. It won many awards, including several Emmy Awards for Jim Parsons, who played Sheldon. The show's popularity led to other related series, like Young Sheldon, which tells the story of Sheldon's childhood, and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, which started in October 2024.

Exploring the Story of The Big Bang Theory

The show follows the funny adventures and changing friendships of a group of scientists and their neighbor.

Early Seasons: New Friendships and Discoveries (Seasons 1-4)

The series begins with Leonard Hofstadter falling for his new neighbor, Penny. Leonard, a physicist, and his roommate, Sheldon Cooper, are very smart but often struggle with social situations. Their friends, Howard Wolowitz and Raj Koothrappali, share their love for science fiction, comic books, and video games.

Sheldon's unique personality and strict routines often create funny conflicts with Leonard. Howard's attempts to flirt and his close relationship with his mother add to the humor. Raj initially finds it hard to talk to women unless he has a drink.

Leonard and Penny's relationship grows, leading to their first serious romance. However, they face challenges, including Penny feeling unsure about her feelings. Leonard later dates Raj's sister, Priya, which causes some tension among the friends.

Middle Seasons: Growing Up and New Relationships (Seasons 5-8)

The show's world expands with the arrival of Amy Farrah Fowler, a neurobiologist who becomes Sheldon's match through online dating. Also, Bernadette Rostenkowski, a microbiologist, starts dating Howard. These new characters bring fresh stories and help the original characters grow.

Sheldon and Amy's relationship slowly develops from a scientific partnership into a romantic one. Sheldon gradually learns to be more open about his feelings. Their relationship is often funny because they approach romance with scientific rules.

Howard's relationship with Bernadette helps him become more mature. They get married in the fifth season and Howard even travels to space!

Leonard and Penny get back together. They face challenges as they learn more about each other. Leonard proposes several times before Penny feels ready for marriage.

Final Seasons: Marriage, Milestones, and the Future (Seasons 9-12)

The last seasons focus on the characters settling down and making long-term commitments. Leonard and Penny finally get married in the ninth season. They learn to navigate married life and eventually move into their own apartment.

Sheldon and Amy's relationship reaches big milestones. They move in together and later get engaged. Their wedding in the eleventh season shows how much Sheldon has grown emotionally.

The series ends with the characters achieving their dreams. Penny became pregnant, and Sheldon and Amy won the Nobel Prize in Physics. This ending highlights the importance of their friendships and personal journeys throughout the show.

Meet the Characters of The Big Bang Theory

The show features a talented cast who bring these memorable characters to life.

Main characters of The Big Bang Theory

• Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter: An experimental physicist with a high IQ. Leonard is a kind-hearted "nerd" who loves video games and comic books. He shares an apartment with Sheldon and is deeply in love with Penny, whom he eventually marries.
• Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper: A brilliant theoretical physicist from Texas. Sheldon is a child prodigy with an amazing memory, but he finds social situations confusing. He has many unique habits and a very structured life. He eventually marries Amy Farrah Fowler.
• Kaley Cuoco as Penny: An aspiring actress from Nebraska who works as a waitress. Penny moves in across the hall from Sheldon and Leonard. She becomes best friends with Bernadette and Amy and eventually marries Leonard. Later, she becomes a successful pharmaceutical sales representative.
• Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz: An aerospace engineer with a master's degree. Howard lives with his mother and initially tries too hard to impress women. He trains as an astronaut and travels to the International Space Station. He later marries Bernadette.
• Kunal Nayyar as Rajesh "Raj" Koothrappali: A shy astrophysicist from India. He is very close to Howard. He eventually overcomes his shyness and has several relationships. He also has a cute Yorkshire Terrier named Cinnamon.
• Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle: A physicist who works with Leonard. She has a similar personality to Leonard and sometimes disagrees with Sheldon's scientific ideas. She had brief relationships with Leonard and Howard.
• Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz: A microbiologist who works with Penny at The Cheesecake Factory. She is introduced to Howard by Penny. Bernadette is usually sweet but can be very determined and strong-willed when provoked. She marries Howard.
• Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler: A neurobiologist who becomes Sheldon's perfect match through online dating. Like Sheldon, she is very smart but initially struggles with social interactions. After befriending Penny and Bernadette, she becomes more interested in social life and eventually marries Sheldon.
• Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom: The kind but often unlucky owner of a comic book store. Stuart is a talented artist and becomes a close friend of the group. He later lives with Howard and Bernadette for a time.

Episodes

List of The Big Bang Theory episodes

Behind the Scenes: Making The Big Bang Theory

Creating a popular TV show involves many steps, from the first ideas to the final episodes.

How the Show Started

The very first episode of The Big Bang Theory aired on September 24, 2007. However, this was actually the second pilot episode made for the show. An earlier pilot was filmed but never shown to the public. In that first version, only Leonard and Sheldon were the same. The character of Penny was played by a different actress and had a different personality.

The creators, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, decided to change things after test audiences liked Sheldon and Leonard but not the other female characters. They then cast Kaley Cuoco as Penny and brought in Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar for Howard and Raj. This new version was a big success!

The show was filmed in front of a live studio audience, making the laughter you hear real. Production was briefly stopped in 2007 due to a writers' strike, but it quickly returned. The series was renewed many times, showing how much viewers loved it.

Main characters in The Big Bang Theory season 6.

Science Experts Behind the Scenes

To make sure the science in the show was accurate and believable, the creators had a special helper. David Saltzberg, a physics and astronomy professor from UCLA, was the show's science consultant. He checked scripts, provided real math equations, and helped with scientific dialogue and props.

Professor Saltzberg attended almost every filming session for six seasons. He made sure that even the smallest scientific details, like what was written on Sheldon's whiteboard, were correct. He sometimes worked with Mayim Bialik, who plays Amy and has a Ph.D. in neuroscience, on biology topics.

The Catchy Theme Song

The show's famous theme song, which describes the history of the universe, was written and performed by the Canadian band Barenaked Ladies. The band's co-lead singer, Ed Robertson, was asked to write the song after the show's producers saw him perform.

Robertson had recently read a book about the Big Bang theory, which helped him create the song. A full version of the song was released in October 2007.

Fun Facts and Recurring Themes

The Big Bang Theory is known for its clever jokes and recurring elements that fans love.

Science in the Show

Science is a huge part of the series. Most of the main male characters, along with Bernadette and Amy, work at Caltech in science-related jobs. They often talk about scientific theories, discoveries, and make science jokes.

Sometimes, science even affects their relationships. For example, a three-month Arctic research trip separated Leonard and Penny early in their relationship. Many famous scientists, like Nobel laureates George Smoot and Frances Arnold, and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, have made guest appearances on the show. Even Stephen Hawking appeared in several episodes!

Love for "Nerd" Culture

The four main male characters are huge fans of "nerd culture." They love science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and collecting cool items.

They often talk about Star Trek, with Sheldon especially loving the character of Spock. Actors from Star Trek, like William Shatner, George Takei, and Wil Wheaton, have appeared on the show. They also enjoy Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, and Doctor Who.

Wednesday night is their special "comic book night" because new comics are released then. They often dress up as superheroes like The Flash, Superman, and Batman. They also play many video games and board games, including their own invented game, "Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock."

Leonard and Penny's Journey

One of the main stories is the relationship between Leonard and Penny. Leonard was attracted to Penny from the very beginning. Penny dated other people at first, but their connection grew stronger.

They had their ups and downs, but eventually, Leonard proposed to Penny multiple times. Penny finally said yes, and they got married in the ninth season. They learned to live together as husband and wife, and in the final season, they were excited to start a family.

Sheldon and Amy's Unique Relationship

Sheldon and Amy's relationship is another central part of the show. They were matched through an online dating site. Both are brilliant scientists who initially struggled with social skills.

Their relationship slowly grew from a friendship based on shared intellect to a loving partnership. Sheldon, who was initially uncomfortable with emotions, gradually opened up. They eventually moved in together, got engaged, and had a beautiful wedding in the eleventh season.

"Soft Kitty"

The song "Soft Kitty" is a special lullaby sung by Sheldon, Penny, and Amy in the series. Sheldon explains that his mother used to sing it to him when he was sick. This comforting song became very popular with viewers. An episode of Young Sheldon even showed Sheldon's mother singing it to him as a child.

Howard's Mother

Howard's mother, Debbie (voiced by Carol Ann Susi), is a character who is rarely seen but often heard. She and Howard would shout conversations to each other from different rooms in their house. She was very protective and involved in Howard's life, which often led to funny situations. Her passing in season 8 was a sad moment for Howard and the group.

The Broken Elevator

A running gag throughout most of the series is the broken elevator in Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny's apartment building. This means the characters always have to use the stairs. Many funny conversations happen as they walk up and down the three flights. An episode in season 3 revealed that Leonard accidentally broke the elevator during a rocket fuel experiment. In the very last episodes, the elevator was finally fixed!

Vanity Cards

At the end of each episode, a short message called a "vanity card" written by co-creator Chuck Lorre appears for just one second. These messages often share funny thoughts or observations. The final card for The Big Bang Theory simply read "The End."

Where to Watch The Big Bang Theory

The show has been broadcast and streamed around the world.

TV Broadcasts

The Big Bang Theory first aired in the United States on CBS in 2007. It also premiered in Canada on CTV that same year. In the United Kingdom, it started airing on E4 and Channel 4 in 2008. The show has been available on various networks in Australia over the years.

Streaming and Reruns

In May 2010, the show became available for reruns on other TV channels. TBS held the cable rights for many years.

Since September 2019, HBO Max has been the exclusive streaming home for the series in the United States. In December 2024, it was announced that CBS's parent company, Paramount Global, also acquired rights for reruns on Nick at Nite and MTV. Starting in 2025, The Big Bang Theory also became available on Disney+ in some regions.

Home Video Releases

All seasons of The Big Bang Theory have been released on DVD and Blu-ray, allowing fans to watch their favorite episodes anytime.

Cool Merchandise

Fans of The Big Bang Theory can find many fun products related to the show. In August 2015, Lego Ideas released a special Lego set featuring the living room scene and mini-figures of the main characters.

Other Shows from The Big Bang Theory Universe

The success of The Big Bang Theory led to other related TV series.

A Plagiarized Show

At one point, a TV show in Belarus called The Theorists copied The Big Bang Theory without permission. It had similar characters and storylines. The creators of The Big Bang Theory were upset, but the actors in the copied show quit once they learned it was unlicensed. They felt it was wrong to be part of a stolen show.

Spin-off Series

Young Sheldon

Young Sheldon is a prequel series that started in 2017 and ended in May 2024. It tells the story of Sheldon Cooper's childhood as a super-smart 9-year-old growing up in East Texas. Jim Parsons, who played adult Sheldon, narrated the series. The show explored Sheldon's family life, including his parents, twin sister Missy, and older brother Georgie.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage

In January 2024, a new spin-off series was announced, focusing on Sheldon's older brother, Georgie Cooper, and his wife, Mandy McAllister. This show, titled Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, premiered in October 2024 on CBS.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe

A third spin-off series is in development, featuring Stuart Bloom, his girlfriend Denise, and geologist Bert Kibbler. The show, titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, was announced in March 2025. In this series, Stuart accidentally breaks a device made by Sheldon and Leonard, causing a "multiverse Armageddon" that he must fix. John Ross Bowie will return as Barry Kripke.

A Special Look Back

On May 16, 2019, after the series finale, a TV special called Unraveling the Mystery: A Big Bang Farewell aired. It was a behind-the-scenes look at the show, featuring Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco.

See also

In Spanish: The Big Bang Theory para niños