'The Big Bang Theory' is one of the highest-rated sitcoms on the air, yet few people in this world even know what the main characters are talking about half the time. But, according to our research from visiting the CBS show's set on the Warner Bros. lot in L.A., even the genius physicists at 'Big Bang' have trouble with Sudoku puzzles -- we found a half-finished one, along with an incomplete old newspaper crossword puzzle in Leonard and Sheldon's apartment.
Before season 2 wraps up (the finale is Monday, May 4 at 8PM ET), see all the scoop we got from series executive producer Chuck Lorre, stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco and, of course, their apartments.-- By Maggie Furlong
On the Set: The Big Bang Theory'
'The Big Bang Theory' is one of the highest-rated sitcoms on the air, yet few people in this world even know what the main characters are talking about half the time.
But, according to our research from visiting the CBS show's set on the Warner Bros. lot in L.A., even the genius physicists at 'Big Bang' have trouble with Sudoku puzzles -- we found a half-finished one, along with an incomplete old newspaper crossword puzzle in Leonard and Sheldon's apartment.
Before season 2 wraps up (the finale is Monday, May 4 at 8PM ET), see all the scoop we got from series executive producer Chuck Lorre, stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco and, of course, their apartments.
-- By Maggie Furlong
CBS
Lost in Love
Will Leonard and Penny ever get together? "I don't know," admits creator Chuck Lorre. "We are kind of figuring it out on the fly. This isn't 'Lost' [laughs] -- we don't have the end of the series figured out. We don't know what happens when we leave the island, but we know that there is a mutual affection for one another that could develop. The Sam and Diane paradigm is kind of played out: Will they or won't they? I think we've been there, done that in TV. So I may end up having to try to avoid that."
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It Takes One to Know One
So do the stars know anyone like their geeky alter-egos? "Everyone always knows someone just like Sheldon," says Jim Parsons, "but no one ever claims to be just like Sheldon, and neither do I. [Laughs] I understand." And Simon Helberg, who plays Wolowitz, jokes: "Well, maybe one of the Beatles or the Monkees, with a little flair of Mr. Furley going on. [Laughs] No, I fortunately don't know anybody too similar to that guy."
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He Has the Secret
How has Chuck Lorre -- who's behind another hit CBS sitcom, 'Two and a Half Men' -- managed to have some of the most successful multi-camera sitcoms on TV? "I take steroids," Lorre laughs. "We just make shows that we love to laugh at ourselves, and hope that somebody else out there agrees. That's really about it. If it's not funny to us, we don't do it."
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Props to Props
With so many video games, scientific models and comic books lying around, what are the favorite props on the jam-packed set? "I like all of the figurines," admits Johnny Galecki, who plays Leonard. "The craftsmanship of some of these things is really incredible. The female action figures are very different now than when I was a child. [Laughs]"
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A Quick Read
There are conflicting thoughts on the prop reading material though. "I really enjoy the People magazines in Penny's apartment," says Kunal Nayyar, who plays Koothrappali. Jim Parsons argues, "They are very dated, though." With the final word is Penny herself, Kaley Cuoco: "I've read every word of every page." Well, it's either that or the books from the guys' place: Journal of Particle Physics, Applied Particle Physics Quarterly, the Journal of American Neuroscience and Superman The Man of Steel: Brainiac Attack!
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Being There
That laughter you hear isn't fake -- the show shoots before a live studio audience of about 150 people each week. To help you better imagine it, here's the layout of sets, from left to right: the guys' work cafeteria, Penny's apartment, the apartment hallway with the broken elevator, Leonard and Sheldon's apartment, then another generic apartment hallway. What we didn't see? The three ping pong tables that host the cast's heated mid-rehearsal tournaments.
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'Chuck' Encounters
Walking to the set on the Warner Bros. lot, 'Chuck' star Joshua Gomez (who plays Morgan) was actually driving right alongside us on his way to work at the Nerd Herd. We said hello, but the studio tour slowly driving in front of him failed to notice he was there. As we were leaving, Nerd Herd boss man Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence) waved goodbye as he hung out by the lot's front gates.
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A Note to Fans
Ever wondered about the Chuck Lorre Productions note that flashes for a quick second at the end of each show? Ever tried to pause and read it? "You know, that's actually really gratifying that people read those things -- and it's gotten me into a little bit of trouble as well," Lorre admits. "When you meet people and they say they read them, it's like, 'Really? Wow. Okay, terrific.' It was just kind of a silly idea from the beginning." You can read them all here.
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More than the Girl Next Door
"What's great with Penny and each of these guys is they each have a very specific relationship," says Kaley Cuoco. "She's just now been accepted, and she totally understands them. I think she genuinely likes being around them. I can't wait to see what else happens. Yes, she's got a lot of issues. She's definitely not perfect. She has a lot of depth [too], especially this season -- I'm absolutely loving it. It's been really fun for me. It's not just a blonde next door."
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