Big Bang Theory Showrunner Revealed Jim Parsons Exit Killed Season 13: “Didn’t seem right”
Big bang, that’s how it all began! The Big Bang Theory had a profound effect on its viewers as well as its stars, including Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, Simon Helberg, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik. As a result, the CBS hit sitcom went on to run for a record-breaking 12 seasons, making it one of the longest-running comedies in television history.
There were 12 seasons of the humorous sitcom The Big Bang Theory. However, things got a little more heated behind the scenes in the 12th season, especially after Jim Parsons revealed he wouldn’t be coming back.
Many members of the cast were taken aback by the decision because his co-workers weren’t expecting him to make such an announcement.
In an open discussion about their feelings following Parsons’ departure from The Big Bang Theory in 2018, the actors admitted that they weren’t ready for the significant change. The only actor who knew about it was Simon Helberg.
We’ll look back at Jim Parsons’ perspective and how the actor felt about bringing the show to an end.
The Show’s Creators Never Thought of Continuing It Without Jim Parsons
In Jessica Radloff’s book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, former cast members of the CBS sitcom, including Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, and others, discussed how they felt about the circumstance. Jim Parsons allegedly thought the show could go on without him playing Sheldon Cooper, but the producers had other ideas, according to showrunner Steven Molaro.
Molaro stated, “There was never a question about continuing on without him. The show was this ensemble and the thought of doing some strange version without him didn’t seem right.”
As for Jim Parsons, he was aware that the show could have gone, but they had accomplished a lot throughout their twelve seasons.
The show’s 12th season, which was then currently in production, would be it’s final when the Emmy winner announced his departure from the program in August 2018.
After making his choice, Molaro, and co-creator Chuck Lorre called a meeting of the cast and let the 50-year-old actor inform everyone that he had decided to leave before revealing that his departure would also mean the end of the show after 12 seasons.
Why Was Jim Parsons Concerned?
This formula has been used previously. A celebrity decides to leave any hit program but continues to appear in cameos occasionally. Topher Grace returned for the series finale of That ’70s Show, and that is what happened. But it was evident that the show had changed significantly after the actor left.
This is most likely how things would have turned out if Jim Parsons had left and the show had continued without him. The actor, according to Buzz Feed, was concerned that he would only be given a six-episode contract to appear in the 13th season.
Young Sheldon star was concerned that what if Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro requested him to appear in only “six episodes or something” of a potential Season 13; which he realized was “something he didn’t want to do.”
If the series continued, the actor would also have to worry about Mayim Bialik’s future. Parsons didn’t want her to leave as a result of his choice. There was no attempt to continue the series without the actor, though. Thus, there was no discussion left either.
The cast initially struggled with accepting his decision, but they all realized it was time to end the sitcom.
The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, written by Jessica Radloff and published on October 11, 2022. It is a book based on the Chuck Lorre television series of the same name.
Source- The Big Bang Theory
