SDCC ’12: ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Panel

Gabrielle Bondi

12 years ago

I’m an infrequent watcher of The Big Bang Theory. Whenever I stumble across a rerun on TV, I’ll watch it. It’s one of those shows that I don’t need to intensely follow to figure out what’s going on. Also, it happens to be pretty funny and entertaining. That’s sort of how I found myself at the panel for The Big Bang Theory. I was there for Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead (which were happening later that day) and decided to sit through Big Bang Theory until I got to those panels. It ended up being one of the funniest panels I’ve ever gone to.

The Big Bang Theory cast have an incredible chemistry, not just on-screen but in real life too. Producers Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady, Steven Molaro, Mayim Balik, Jim Parsons (via satellite from New York), Kaley Cuoco, Kunan Nayyar, Simon Helberg, and Melissa Rauch. Unfortunately, due to a plane delay, star Johnny Galecki wasn’t able to make the panel.

The majority of panel was a Q&A with audience members. It seemed like the most of the audience are kids since they asked almost all of the questions. One cute kid with a mohawk asked Jim Parsons why his character’s favorite superhero was the Flash. Parsons deflected the question to one of the writers who answered that Sheldon was picked on a lot as a kid and could relate to a superhero who can read very fast. One woman asked Parsons the inevitable question: Are you a man or a muppet? Parsons replied with assertively that he is indeed a man. More questions from little ones were asked, leading Helberg to exclaim “These kids are young to be so drunk!”

As far as any revelations about the upcoming season, it was revealed that Kunan Nayyar’s character, Raj, will finally get a romance. But Lorre said to hold on to our cheers until we see it. It makes us wonder what exactly is in store for Raj.

Finally, the presentation ended in a completely incredible note with Helberg being offered a ticket to go to Space. I’m serious. Helberg denied the offer, so they decided to let one of the question askers a chance to win the Golden ticket. After rounding them all up (minus the kids), each were handed an envelope and only one would win a chance to go to Space. A lucky woman won the ticket and no one could believe that they actually gave away a trip to space. I guess you can really say that The Big Bang Theory can take you out of this world.

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays 8/7c on CBS.