The Big Bang Theory — Key Facts
- Genre: Sitcom / Comedy / Romance
- Creators: Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady
- Network: CBS
- Premiere Date: September 24, 2007
- Finale: May 16, 2019
- Seasons: 12
- Episodes: 279
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10 based on more than 940,000 ratings.
Premise
- The series follows physicists Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper, two highly intelligent but socially awkward scientists living in Pasadena, California.
- Their lives change when aspiring actress Penny moves into the apartment across the hall.
- Along with their friends Howard Wolowitz and Raj Koothrappali, the group navigates relationships, careers, friendship, and the challenges of being exceptionally intelligent but not always socially confident.
Main Cast
- Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter
- Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper
- Kaley Cuoco as Penny
- Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz
- Kunal Nayyar as Raj Koothrappali
- Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler
- Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski
- Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom
Setting / Location
- Setting: Pasadena, California
- Much of the series takes place in the apartment building shared by Leonard and Sheldon and in their workplace at the California Institute of Technology.
Tone / Style
- Traditional multi-camera sitcom filmed in front of a live studio audience.
- Combines science and geek culture with relationship comedy and everyday friendship.
- The show became known for its references to physics, comic books, video games, science fiction, and popular culture.
Series Highlights
- Sheldon and Amy eventually marry and win the Nobel Prize in Physics.
- Leonard and Penny marry and eventually reveal that they are expecting a baby.
- Howard and Bernadette marry and have two children.
- Raj remains the only member of the original core group who does not marry.
- The series finale aired in May 2019, bringing the 12-season run to an end.
Awards & Recognition
- The Big Bang Theory won 10 Primetime Emmy Awards and received 257 total wins and nominations according to IMDb.
- Jim Parsons won four Primetime Emmy Awards for his performance as Sheldon Cooper.
Why Fans Love It
Memorable characters and relationships
The Leonard–Penny and Sheldon–Amy romances
Plenty of science and pop-culture references
A large collection of recurring characters and guest stars
The evolution of the characters over 12 seasons gives the show a strong sense of continuity
Sources
CBS
IMDb
Warner Bros. Television
Entertainment industry coverage