The Big Bang Theory was a show about science nerds, and apparently, maintaining that illusion was occasionally tough. Kunal Nayyar confirmed as much in a recent interview, in which he shared a hilarious story that makes me want to revisit "The Adhesive Duck Deficiency" with my HBO Max subscription.

As fans wait for the latest adventure in the TBBT world, Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, to hit the 2026 TV schedule, Nayyar appeared on The Big Bang Theory podcast to talk about his memories of the show. In doing that, he brought up a time in which they removed their shirts to eat brisket and ended up needing to be changed. As far as why, creator Chuck Lorre informed them they were "too fit" to look like nerds:

Anyone who thinks geeks can't be buff has never read an interview with Henry Cavill or heard Terry Crews express his interest in voicing various video game characters. That aside, I totally get where Chuck Lorre was coming from, as it's hard to characterize Leonard and his friends as meek and cowardly if they all look jacked and shredded.

"The Adhesive Duck Deficiency" is a Season 3 episode, and given the context of what Kunal Nayyar gave in the podcast, the scene is hilarious to watch. Leonard, Raj, and Howard are all wearing t-shirts, but also have t-shirts wrapped around their heads as well. My guess is they originally had taken off their shirts to wear on their heads, but then added shirts and decided to keep the shirts on their heads for comedy's sake.

Nayyar mentioned the moment gave him a confidence boost, almost as big as the confidence Raj has to wear his outlandish outfits. He explained the boost was short-lived, however, and noted that was the one time he was asked to put a shirt back on for the rest of The Big Bang Theory:

That could be the case, though, I feel like in the latter seasons of The Big Bang Theory, so much focus was put on their development beyond just being "lab nerds," for lack of a better term. This is especially true for Raj, who went from someone physically terrified to speak to women to having a few girlfriends throughout the series.

Life post-The Big Bang Theory sounds great for Kunal Nayyar, who has made various other appearances in acting and uses his money to secretly pay people's medical bills. That's really cool of him to do, so I'm rooting for his return in Stuart Fails To Save The Universe so he can help more people out with that payday.

The Big Bang Theory is available to stream on HBO Max. Throw the series on today to re-live the experience of one of modern television's most successful shows, and hold onto it for Stuart Fails To Save The Universe on July 23rd.

The Big Bang Theory still has a slew of fans interested years after it ended, and not just because it’s continually streaming with an HBO Max subscription. The CBS sitcom ran for 12 seasons, and it was followed by multiple successful spinoffs, so interest in the franchise has remained high, and recently I found out one intriguing fact about the show as it was originally envisioned I'd never, ever heard before.

Most of us know that Kaley Cuoco wasn't the original actress who was cast as the main lead. An original pilot was written before the final version of the cast was cemented, with Amanda Walsh playing a character named Katie. That and the fact the original pilot was a big old mess, has been pretty common knowledge for years.

The Sheldon everyone knows and loves now wasn't exactly how the character started out. Simon Helberg, who played Howard, told Jesse Tyler Ferguson on his Dinner’s On Me podcast that Sheldon’s original personality was pretty unrecognizable in that original version of the pilot that now lives on in BTS stories.

Sheldon? Jim Parsons' Sheldon? I cannot imagine Sheldon being a womanizer and always drinking beer. That also would have changed the entire show because the way Sheldon acts as well as his unique relationships with his friends, are integral to The Big Bang Theory.

Sheldon Cooper was played by Jim Parsons in this pilot. They apparently retooled the character in the way we know and love Sheldon, and he'd play it that way for the entirety of the show's run. He would go on to reprise the role in prequel Young Sheldon, narrating as present Sheldon while Iain Armitage took over as the younger version. Parsons was positively perfect as the character, who was a child prodigy with an eidetic memory and one to brag about his intelligence.

This is why pilots are so important for TV shows. It's honestly always wild to hear about the changes that came to successful sitcoms, and this sounds like one that was for the better.

Think about it. In an alternate world, Sheldon would be a womanizer, like he basically sounds like Barney from How I Met Your Mother, and it's hard for my mind to compute this fact. However, it's been interesting getting these behind-the-scenes secrets about The Big Bang Theory, and it makes me wonder just what else changed we still haven't learned about

It's been a good year for Big Bang throwback stories. We also recently learned Helberg almost lost the Howard role to a different actor on the sitcom. Before landing the part of comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, Kevin Sussman auditioned for Howard before the role ultimately went to Helberg. Sussman went on to recur as Stuart throughout the show’s run, and now he’s getting his own spinoff with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, so it all worked out.

Since Stuart Fails to Save the Universe takes place in an alternate world, perhaps this could be a good time to see what a womanizer Sheldon would really be like. For now, though, fans can watch the Sheldon they’re used to with all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory on HBO Max.

Mayim Bialik dropped a great throwback from her days on The Big Bang Theory, and it's tied to one of Sheldon and Amy's greatest moments. She's got me in my feels today after sharing a shot of her and co-star Jim Parsons hanging out behind the scenes of their characters' big cameo-filled wedding day.

Weeks after Wil Wheaton shared his own fond memory of filming that episode, it's now Bialik's turn to remember just how great TBBT was in its prime as we await the Stuart-led spinoff hitting the 2026 TV schedule. Check out her picture below, along with the tiara the actress is wearing on her head:

Hilariously enough, CinemaBlend was able to dig up some additional context on this exact photo thanks to a post dating back to 2018. This was a photo Mayim Bialik posted on X specifically to show off the tiara from the set of The Big Bang Theory. Responses from fans at the time all chimed in about how they hoped Amy would wear a tiara on her wedding day, and as we now know, she did!

I love being reminded of Sheldon and Amy's wedding, so much so that I'm almost wanting to watch the episode later with my HBO Max subscription. That wedding was such a long time coming, and it was fantastic that The Big Bang Theory's team was able to get Star Wars actor Mark Hamill as a guest star to officiate the characters' big day. The Force was with them that week for sure.

It gives me warm and fuzzy feelings, and has me all the more worried about what The Big Bang Theory fans will think of the upcoming spinoff, Stuart Fails To Save The Universe. It's a big swing to take the next entry in the franchise and make it about one of the supporting characters, and I wonder if it'll be embraced by the fans.

Granted, other spinoffs of The Big Bang Theory have done well enough, with Young Sheldon having a great run on television, despite Jim Parsons (who narrated the series) and Mayim Bialik not appearing in person until almost at the very end. Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage is also doing well over on CBS, and it hasn't even featured a single version of Sheldon yet!

All this to say, I do wonder if we'll ever see a spinoff of The Big Bang Theory that brings the original cast back together. My guess is no, considering other iconic successful sitcoms have struggled to do the same with their cast. Honestly, I'm fine if it never happens, but I can't express how excited I'd be if we learned Parsons, Bialik, and others were all getting back together.

The Big Bang Theory is available to stream right now on HBO Max. Revisit Sheldon and Amy's wedding, as well as all the other fantastic moments from the series in its long run on television.

The Big Bang Theory ended almost seven years ago; however, the mark it left on pop culture is undeniable. I mean, the word “Bazinga” is still synonymous with Jim Parsons. So, as he was promoting a new project, he was asked to “be honest” and share how he really feels when people yell that term at him. Let’s just say, after hearing his answer, maybe don’t shout it at him.

Now, the franchise that began with The Big Bang Theory is very much alive and well on the 2026 TV schedule thanks to Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. Plus, Parsons narrated the entire run and appeared in the series finale of Young Sheldon back in 2024. And, it was on that prequel series where we learned the origins of “Bazinga.” So, it makes sense why people still want to talk to him about Sheldon. It also apparently means people still want to yell “Bazinga” at him, too.

So, during an interview with Cosmopolitan, his Titaníque co-star Marla Mindelle asked him to “be honest” and explain how he feels when “people shout ‘Bazinga’ at [him].” In response, he said:

You know, I get it, I really do. The Big Bang Theory has been off the air for quite some time now. Jim Parsons has moved on to other work, including movies like The Boys in the Band, Spoiler Alert and the upcoming adaptation of Animal Farm. His most recent project is the Broadway musical Titaníque, a comedy where Celine Dion tells the story of the movie Titanic.

Now, Marla Mindelle, who asked Parsons about “Bazinga,” plays Dion in the musical, and it’s clear that they were joking in this interview, too, as she asked him if he ever shouts Bazinga back at people. In response, the Big Bang actor said:

Listen, some of the highest-paid actors on TV worked on The Big Bang Theory. Jim Parsons played Sheldon for 12 seasons and said “Bazinga” many, many, many times. I get it if he’d rather not have the project thrown in his face every day.

Plus, if the “Bazingas” are being shouted at me in public, I’d just walk away too. While I would assume he’s happy to chat about the CBS sitcom that made him a household name, I also would guess that the last thing he wants is to be yelled at in public about it. Most of the time, interactions like that are surprising and can be rude, so I’d imagine most actors don’t want that to happen to them.

So, yeah, while Jim Parsons seemed to be joking a bit with this answer, if people want him to say “Bazinga,” and they let him know by shouting, they should be able to afford it. Meanwhile, if you just want to hear the silly word and watch this beloved sitcom, you can go back and watch reruns of The Big Bang Theory with an HBO Max subscription.

I don’t know about you, but I’ll never forget reading George Orwell’s Animal Farm in high school. It’s one of those core-memory books I have because of how timeless the allegorical novella from 1945 is. Well, now Animal Farm is among the upcoming book-to-screen adaptations on the 2026 movie schedule, and the new trailer previews Andy Serkis’ approach to it.

Now, Andy Serkis has been working on helming an Animal Farm movie since back in 2012, originally as a performance capture movie. Ultimately, the director/voice actor decided to make it as a traditional 3D animated film geared toward ages 11 and up. While the previous trailer for it showcased the more lighthearted aspects of the film, this new look at Animal Farm (in the video above) offers perhaps a more balanced showcase of how the classic is being handled.

The movie starts with a group of animals thinking they are “going on vacation” before they realize they’re being sent to a slaughterhouse and rebel against their humans. Just like the novella, they decide to take over the farm for themselves, thus calling it “Animal Farm.” Once they do so, they have to decide how the farm will be ruled. Two pigs ultimately assume command and start to adopt rules on the farm that create inequality among the different animals, thus becoming a dictatorship.

While there’s definitely some cute family-friendly elements to this Animal Farm that may seem off-kilter to those who read the novella, this new look seems to skew closer to the source material. About halfway through this trailer, you can see how some of Animal Farm’s residents start to be treated unfairly. Though there is a key difference to note in this Animal Farm, with the protagonist being a new character, a piglet named Lucky, who decides to “rebel” against the dictatorship.

The animated film was initially going to be produced by Netflix back in 2018, but was ultimately made by Cinesite, Aniventure, and Imaginarium Productions. It is being distributed through Angel Studios. The movie boasts a star-studded cast, with Seth Rogen as Napoleon, Gaten Matarazzo as Lucky, along with Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Steve Buscemi, Laverne Cox, Woody Harrelson, Jim Parsons, Kathleen Turner, and Iman Vellani among the voice cast.

Per a press release by Angel Studios, the producers of this Animal Farm worked closely with George Orwell’s estate to “intentionally” reimagine “certain roles and character identities to broaden the film’s appeal to younger audiences.” When speaking about his film, Serkis said he wanted this version of the classic to “feel contemporary and genuinely connect with younger audiences”.

Previously, Animal Farm was adapted into movies in 1954 and as a live-action movie in 1999. This new Animal Farm is coming to theaters on May 1.

While many shows are exclusively streaming these days, a lot of the best sitcoms around started on network TV, and The Big Bang Theory is no different. The bingeable science-based comedy, which centers around awkward physicist best friends Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter and co., ran for 12 seasons on CBS. What fans might not remember is that the sitcom actually went on an extended hiatus early on in Season 1. Now, series alum Jim Parsons is recalling how it changed the course of the whole show.

Though Parsons has built up quite a resume outside of the long-running sitcom, Sheldon Cooper remains his most well known (and awarded) role. With that, Parsons is often still asked about his Big Bang stint as well as his experience narrating the wildly popular spinoff, Young Sheldon. So, while he has been associated with the popular Chuck Lorre franchise for nearly two decades now, the Home actor told Us Weekly one of his most memorable moments on the show was actually during Season 1 of Big Bang, when the cast was told the show was off the air indefinitely:

For those who don't remember, the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike was initiated by the desire for a new contract that would allow writers to receive increased residuals from new forms of media like DVDs and even the very beginnings of online streaming (crazy concept right?). The strike started in early November 2007, not even two months after The Big Bang Theory aired its first episode on September 24, and lasted for 100 days.

At the time, Jim Parsons and his Big Bang co-stars couldn’t have known that their sci-com series would last well over 10 seasons on the air. According to Parsons, the cast knew they had potential, but a writers strike that early and that long could detrimentally slow the momentum of a show with audiences and possibly even lead to a cancellation. For a lot of them, like Kunal Nayyar who had one year left on his visa when he landed the role of Raj, this was their big break.

I have to say, had the Big Bang Theory come out in the current age of streaming domination and faced a writers’ strike, I’m not sure it would have made it. Many shows didn’t pull through the WGA strike of 2023, which was very reminiscent of the 2007-2008 work stoppage.

Thankfully, this wasn’t the case for Big Bang Theory, and Parsons revealed that being on network TV during the strike actually helped the series:

Personally, I'd like to believe the handful of episodes they’d filmed and aired were enough to get people hooked. They feature enough momentum and character establishment to leave people wanting more. It seems that after watching the same reruns for months, fans were eager for new content once the strike ended. From there, the show only continued to grow, and now with two successful spinoffs and a third sister show in the works, it clearly wasn’t a fluke!

While it seems Parsons is ready to retire his beloved character after the Young Sheldon series finale, I’ll believe it when I see it. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few OG Big Bang vets pop up in the upcoming Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, starring the returning Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom in his familiar comic shop. Regardless, I'm glad Parsons and co. were able to remain on the air and ultimately cement their places in pop culture.

Ahead of the Stuart-led spinoff's premiere in 2026, stream all 12 seasons of The Big Bang, which are available to stream with an HBO subscription. Jim Parsons won multiple Emmys for his work as Sheldon, and his performance alone makes the show worth a watch.

When The Big Bang Theory ended on May 16, 2019, it marked the end of one of the best sitcoms network TV had ever put together. Fans had fallen in love with Penny, Sheldon, Raj, Amy, Leonard, Howard and Bernadette. They’d captured our attention for 12 seasons, following the characters through jobs and relationships and lots of nerdy things in between. Then, in 2018, Jim Parsons decided he was ready to leave in what would become a memorable piece of TV history.

The TBBT cast all posted after the final episode taping in early May of that year, but before the final line had been spoken and the final clap had been heard in the studio, they'd undergone a table read. Footage of that read went viral recently, and it eventually made its way to Kaley Cuoco's own Instagram, where she responded.

It’s unclear if the cast was in shock when Parsons reached out to the studio and told them Season 12 would be his last, though he indicated later he'd felt an inkling in advance. Cuoco didn’t address this in her recent post, though reports at the time indicated “Warner Brothers and CBS wanted to sign for about two more years.” So, while Parsons was ready, It doesn't seem like the majority of people who were involved in the sitcom went into the series expecting Season 12 to be its last, which is one of the reasons that last table read was likely so hard.

People had a little time to process, but I wonder if anyone outside of Parsons really had time to get used to the idea of the show ending before they had to say goodbye. I remember at the time how abrupt the whole thing felt, even though there was a bit of a gap between the announcement and the actual wrap-up. Still, there doesn't seem to be any long-term hard feelings, as Cuoco reunited with Jim Parsons as recently as 2024.

What is clear from the video is how emotional the main cast was about the series ending. Melissa Rauch, Kaley Cuoco and Kunal Nayyar are openly bawling as the final Big Bang Theory scene – a moment where the gang eats Chinese takeout together, mirroring the premiere episode – gets read at the table. This video really tugs at the heartstrings and it’s easy to see why Kaley Cuoco drew attention to it when it came up on her own newsfeed.

My other big takeaway is that I think it's so cute how Ms. Cuoco's algorithm still feeds her Big Bang content, at least from time to time. It’s clear she’s still connected to the series and the fans that made her a household name, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what she does next. (Spoiler: she's sticking with drama for now.)

Jeopardy! is one of the best TV game shows of all time for blending intellect and suspense, seeing geniuses compete against one another. With Season 41 playing out on the 2025 TV schedule just ahead of Jeopardy! Masters' newest season, audiences were introduced to 20-year-old University of Chicago student Liam Starnes, currently a four-time Jeopardy! champion who just so happens to resemble another young genius, Sheldon Cooper. You better believe that The Big Bang Theory fan in me can’t unsee that now.

Liam Starnes, who’s pursuing a B.A. in Data Science and Statistics, is a four-time reigning champion on Jeopardy! His quick recall and strategic gameplay have brought his four-day total to $81,801, with tonight’s episode having him compete against two new contestants vying for a five-game streak.

However, viewers were quick to take to social media that Starnes looks just like a young genius we all love- Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory! As a huge fan of the long-running TV series, now I can’t unsee it when I put the two faces together:

I really do see the resemblance. Sheldon and Liam Starnes both have a slightly reserved personality. Their shared subtle expressions and hair swoop to the side are very Sheldon-esque. Now, all Starnes has to do is say the theoretical physicist’s classic TV catchphrase, “Bazinga,” and we’re sold. Social media users are all seeing the similarities, such as @SchmanthonyP:

It’s like we’re watching a real-life Sheldon Cooper right before our eyes. Just like Liam Starnes, we learned in the spinoff series Young Sheldon that Sheldon Cooper accomplished a lot academically at a young age. The Texas native started college at the age of 11 and graduated at 14.

Starnes is already accomplishing plenty at 20, showing the world his intellect all while pursuing his Bachelor's degree. @dfwheat is thinking the same thing we all are:

Yes, you would think that Liam Starnes came straight out of the CBS series. Now, this is making me wonder what Sheldon Cooper would have been like competing on Jeopardy! Then again, if it were like the time when Sheldon was way too controlling competing in The Physics Bowl, he’d probably try to buzz in before host Ken Jennings finishes reading the card. @UCNote is certainly feeling the Sheldon vibes from this year’s game show contestant:

You know it! The pure genius of Liam Starnes delivering each answer with earnest seriousness shows his confidence in the depth of his knowledge without being cocky. However, one thing about Starnes that’s unlike Sheldon is the awestruck nodding he does whenever he wins a game. Sheldon would probably mutter “of course” and then calculate the probability of his future success. @RealLBMJ still felt like they saw a “teenage Sheldon” take the stage:

The way that Liam Starnes calmly tackles questions like he’s solving a Rubik’s Cube in his sleep is totally Sheldon. I can’t wait to see how far he goes.

Jeopardy! Actually Featured A Clue About Sheldon Cooper

With viewers constantly commenting on Liam Starnes looking so much like Sheldon Cooper, something ironic happened in last night’s episode. There was actually a Big Bang Theory question that turned out to be a triple stumper under the category of "Difficult But Funny TV Characters." The clue was stated:

The answer, as any Big Bang Theory fan like myself knows, was Sheldon Cooper. However, everyone was stumped on that question, including the Sheldon Cooper lookalike contestant! Fellow player Eric Cordova guessed, “Who is Doogie Howser?” who, yes, was also kid genius prodigy played by Neil Patrick Harris. But, I don’t think he had a strict nine o’clock bedtime like a young Sheldon did.

It proves that someone can look like Sheldon, but it doesn’t mean they know everything about our favorite sarcastic TV character. @heatherreneef thought that Liam Starnes, of all people, would have gotten that question right:

Truly ironic, right? Maybe the creators of the televised game show saw what we saw in the four-time champ and placed that answer-question there for curiosity’s sake.

The resemblance between Liam Starnes and Sheldon Cooper really is uncanny. As a Big Bang Theory fan, now I probably won’t be able to watch tonight’s episode without thinking I’m seeing the CalTech physicist competing. We can all wish Starnes the best of luck tonight watching Jeopardy!’s newest episodes on weeknights.

In the worlds of sports and entertainment, superstitions can often be embraced as soon as success is found, leading to lots of strange behaviors comingling. It’s hard to argue with success, however, especially for someone like mega-producer Chuck Lorre, who has created (or helped create) one hit show after another for most of the 21st century, and that most definitely includes the 2025 TV schedule entries Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and Bookie.

But it turns out Lorre attributes some of that success to a certain behavioral tic that he’s held fast to over the years, and it’s a superstition that The Big Bang Theory fans will likely find similar to one of Sheldon Cooper’s biggest quirks. Speaking with press at Warner Bros. Television’s winter press panel (via People), Lorre revealed a personal choice he sticks to when it comes to his career. As he put it:

Those kinds of massive achievements are enough to inspire me to also refuse to ever sit in a chair with my name on it, although I suppose I’d have to also write a variety of multicam sitcom scripts in order to truly test whether the superstition worked for me or not.

Not that Lorre’s career has been a 100% smooth ride from start to finish, or lese his quirky behavior might be pushed as mandatory for everyone behind the scenes. It’s likely that no superstition could easily thwart Charlie Sheen’s highly publicized downfall and exit from Two and a Half Men, which sparked a years-long feud with Lorre that was only cleared up ahead of Sheen joining Max’s Bookie for cameo appearances.

And I guess the superstition didn’t stop Netflix from cancelling the stoner sitcom Disjointed, or stop Anna Faris from exiting Mom ahead of its eighth season. But for as disappointing as those instances might have been, I have to think the sprawling success of Big Bang Theory, its prequel Young Sheldon, and that show’s Georgie & Mandy spinoff make it easier to look past setbacks.

Sounds Like Sheldon Cooper's "Spot" Might Come From Chuck Lorre's Superstition

Outside of TV and film executives, chairs with people's names on them aren't exactly the most common, so obvious Lorre's own specific quirk wouldn't necessarily work in a fictionalized setting. But the general idea of having very specific seating preferences can indeed be easily ported from a real person to a TV character.

Which is presumably part of how Jim Parsons' Sheldon Cooper wound up being extremely particular about where he plops down, a behavioral pattern that quickly became shorthanded as "Sheldon's Spot." Not just in the apartment, either, but pretty much wherever he felt the need to be precise, including bathroom urinals. Check out a fun supercut of Sheldon's Spot declarations below.

Will TV audiences ever see the comic-adoring character making someone move from his couch cushion again, perhaps as part of the upcoming spinoff that's in development at Max? Jim Parsons has expressed a lack of interest, while his on-screen wifey Mayim Bialik had the opposite opinion, saying she'd always love to return to the role that reignited her career.

While waiting to see if that happens, and to see Sheldon eventually popping up on Georgie & Mandy, Chuck Lorre's biggest (and bangest?) co-creation can be streamed in full with a Max subscription.

Max’s upcoming Big Bang Theory follow-up is building up fandom buzz as the sitcom continues coming together behind the scenes, and while it can be assumed that most fans are 100% in on seeing more from Kevin Sussman’s Comic Center owner Stuart, the same expectations can’t be had regarding the mothership’s former leads. Because while Jim Parsons previously expressed his disinterest in reprising Sheldon Cooper, Mayim Bialik has made it clear she’s on the opposing side.

To be sure, Bialik previously addressed her willingness to portray Amy Farrah Fowler again, which was fittingly timed with her throwback-filled guest spot on Night Court opposite fellow TBBT vet Melissa Rauch. At that time, she was only speaking to the general idea of returning in the new streaming show, but she’s since addressed Jim Parson’s comments specifically when talking to Yahoo Entertainment, saying:

Considering Bialik broke out her Blossom hats and dance moves to play herself for Night Court, after having previously attempted to produce a revival of the NBC sitcom, it’s perhaps no surprise that she’s down to give audiences as much or as little of her past roles as they desire. WIth her previous Fox comedy Call Me Kat getting axed in 2023, Bialik doesn’t appear to be anchoring any other in-development projects, so the iron does seem hot for striking.

As she mentioned with her response, Bialik did reteam with Parson in live-action as their Big Bang characters for Young Sheldon, which the latter actor provided voiceover narration for during all seven seasons. So it’s not as if he completely shed himself of his breakout role immediately after the series’ star-filled finale in 2019, even as he took on a variety of roles that were nothing like Sheldon Cooper.

When he’d previously addressed the idea of presumably rocking another DC superhero shirt as Sheldon for the impending spinoff, Parsons seemed to be tying his hesitance to the idea that audiences wouldn’t be interested in catching up with Big Bang Theory’s core characters years after the fact. As he put it:

Now, does that 100% mean audiences will never ever see Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik reprising their beloved roles in Chuck Lorre & Co.’s follow-up project alongside Brian Posehn’s Bert Kibbler and Lauren Lapkus’ Denise? Of course not. High-end financial offers won’t hurt those chances, either.

It’s unclear whether or not the new comedy set in The Big Bang Theory’s universe will be crafted in time to join the end of the 2025 TV schedule, but the only way to watch it will be with a Max subscription, which is also where to stream all twelve seasons of the CBS sitcom’s initial run.

Adria Arjona is incredibly lucky to be surrounded by Hollywood leading men. So far, she's worked with the likes of Glen Powell on the Netflix movie Hit Man and Diego Luna on Andor, which returns for its final season amid the 2025 TV schedule. (Plus, she’s dating Jason Momoa in real life!) But if you were to ask her who her celebrity crush is, she’d name a character who has more brain than brawn. Bazinga, the Puerto Rican actress revealed it would be The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper, and her reasoning actually makes a lot of sense.

In a world filled with swoon-worthy, high-grossing actors and heartthrobs, a number of sought-after Hollywood stars surely come to mind. So I was surprised when Adria Arjona was asked by W Magazine who her celebrity crush was, and she picked a man who probably wouldn't even know about GQ Magazine or People’s Sexiest Man Alive. (Maybe Popular Science?) Nevertheless, Arjona spoke to mannerisms of Jim Parsons' Sheldon Cooper when explaining her attraction:

Dr. Sheldon Cooper is indeed tender, smart and “unaware” at times. At the beginning of one of the best long-binge sitcoms, the CalTech physicist was a socially awkward genius who lacked empathy and could not grasp social cues. Those attributes changed when Amy Farrah Fowler came into the picture and challenged Sheldon’s stubbornness about not wanting an intimate relationship with anyone. Her patience, wit and support brought out a side of Sheldon viewers probably never thought would come out of him.

While Sheldon and Amy’s bond was sparked by intellect, that eventually culminated in a record-breaking sexual relationship, and "Shamy" eventually got married as well. Sheldon may not be a perfect person, but his occasional lack of awareness and surprising warmth are quite endearing. So I can see where Adria Arjona is coming from.

Interestingly, Sheldon Cooper isn’t the only brainy character in the back of the Father of the Bride actress' mind. There’s another TV doctor on the talented actress’ radar who was like the Sherlock Holmes of the Princeton–Plainsboro Teaching Hospital:

There’s absolutely no denying that Sheldon Cooper and Dr. House are brilliant in their fields, and there are women who really love brainy men. I give actors Hugh Laurie and Jim Parsons a lot of credit for being able to memorize their characters’ scientific monologues. These fictional scientific professionals have their charms, and I hope they continue to captivate women, who watch them unapologetically show off their knowledge in their respective shows.

Kudos to Adria Arjona for having somewhat out-of-the-box taste. Now, I'm just wondering if Jason Momoa needs to talk science to his girlfriend to sweep her off her feet. That aside, you can stream all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory using a Max subscription, and the eight seasons of House by way of a Hulu subscription.

It’s been over five years since The Big Bang Theory wrapped up its 12-season run on CBS, though the show is still beloved by many. That sheer affection also extends to the Big Bang cast, who’ve since moved on to other gigs. Despite the fact that they no longer work together, the stars do cross paths now and then. On that note, series alums Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco had a sweet reunion just this weekend, and the post chronicling the moment has me feeling nostalgic.

As of late, Jim Parsons has been performing a production of the acclaimed play Our Town, in which he plays the role of the Stage Manager. Kaley Cuoco was certainly aware of her friend and former co-star’s gig, as she attended one of the performances this weekend. What was even sweeter about the run-in is that the actress totally surprised Parsons. She subsequently posted a photo of herself and the former Sheldon Cooper actor embracing. You can check it out for yourself down below:

Years ago, I started watching The Big Bang Theory when reruns began airing on TBS during my senior year of high school. Admittedly, I don’t really revisit the show that much anymore, but Kaley Cuoco’s photo is still enough to make me nostalgic. It’s a rare treat whenever the stars reunite on or off camera and, anytime it happens, my mind goes to their exploits on the Chuck Lorre-produced comedy series. Some may laugh when I say this but, in a way, it was a somewhat simpler time.

Some of the stars of the brainy sitcom have worked together and supported each other since the show ended. Earlier this year, Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik reprised their roles as Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler and reunited on Young Sheldon’s series finale. Bialik is also joining forces with Melissa Rauch (who played Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz on Big Bang) during Night Court Season 3. And, ahead of that, Rauch worked with Kunal Nayyar (known for playing Raj Koothrappali) again during NC Season 2. And, away from the stage, Nayyar and others celebrated after Stuart actor Kevin Sussman got married.

During a recent interview, Jim Parsons discussed his time working on Big Bang and was asked how he’d feel about joining a sequel series of sorts. Parsons said he’d decline a revival right now, but said that could change at some point in the future. Shortly after, someone asked Kaley Cuoco how she’d feel about reprising her role as Penny and, ultimately, Cuoco would be game to return.

The chances of the OG cast returning for a revival seem to be slim right now. But, if you ask me, the continued cast reunions are enough to satiate me. Sure, their characters are missed, but it’s comforting to know that the actors who portrayed the likes of Penny, Sheldon, Amy and co. still have love for each other.

In the event that you would like to see the stars bouncing off each other again, though, grab a Max subscription and stream all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory now.

Jim Parsons has been in the public eye for some time now, as he rose to prominence as a member of the Big Bang Theory cast well over a decade ago. The four-time Emmy winner isn’t just known for his keen prowess as an actor but also for sporting the clean-shaven look for his roles. However, Parsons just made a serious change, as he opted to grow a beard. During a red carpet event, the actor made a big bang (sorry, but that was too easy) when he showed off his facial hair. And, honestly, his fresh-bearded vibes contribute to a serious mood.

The Hollywood star recently attended the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York. At the event, the suave actor sported a fresh blue ensemble, which featured a dapper shirt as well as a smooth jacket and matching pants. As great as the outfit was, it was the 51-year-old actor’s facial hair that really stole the show. The beard was well groomed and, quite frankly, it looks impressive. Check out an image down below:

It’s amazing because, on the surface, Jim Parsons really hasn’t done all that much to change up his look. Essentially, this is what happens when someone manages to make a radical change without putting in too much effort, and I don’t mean that as an insult at all. As someone who can’t grow a full beard himself, I laud Parsons for sporting the look and wearing those whiskers well. It’s a far cry from how he appeared as Dr. Sheldon Cooper and in his other movie and TV roles, but I certainly dig it!

Some may be wondering what prompted the co-lead of Spoiler Alert (which is streamable) to grow the beard. Well, he explained that while speaking with Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet of the CFDA Fashion Awards. Apparently, the decision was prompted by an insightful conversation that the sitcom veteran had with his barber ahead of his performance as the stage manager in the famous play Our Town:

His barber certainly made an astute point, and I’ve even known people who’ve opted to grow facial hair for the purpose of altering the shape of their faces, at first glance. As cool as Jim Parsons’ beard is, it may still be a bit jarring for some who are used to seeing him with a clean face on TV. Regardless of that, it’s surely not necessary for him to have that latter look, especially since he’s not planning to reprise Sheldon anytime soon after playing the role in Young Sheldon’s finale. All in all, Parsons isn’t totally opposed to a Big Bang revival but doesn’t have a desire to do it anytime soon.

In the meantime, I’m happy to see that the Normal Heart star is engrossing himself in different kinds of work and trying out different looks as well. Now that I’m invested in his newly minted beard, I’m curious as to how long he’ll ultimately keep it. I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely thinking that he should keep it, at least, through the winter months. After all, one’s face can certainly get cold when the temperature drops.

Those who are pining for Jim Parsons’ old look can check it out by streaming all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory, which are available to stream with the use of a Max subscription.

It’s been over five years since The Big Bang Theory wrapped up its 12-season run on CBS, but the show remains popular amongst viewers. The show, of course, spawned the spinoff Young Sheldon, which, in turn, birthed the 2024 TV schedule entry Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. Still, there are those pining for the original characters, which is why Jim Parsons was recently asked about reprising Sheldon Cooper for a revival. Parsons shared mixed feelings and, now, his former co-star, Kaley Cuoco, is opening up about returning as Penny.

What Did Kaley Cuoco Say When Asked About Playing Penny Again?

The Role Play actress played the role of the free-spirited Penny throughout all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory. In that time, the character became a fan favorite, and the actress who portrayed her saw immense recognition from the general public. People recently asked the 8 Simple Rules alum how she would feel about possibly playing the waitress-turned-pharmaceutical sales rep again. And the actress shared a response that’s sure to make fans happy:

It probably shouldn’t be too surprising that Kaley Cuoco is open to it. After all, she was down to return for a 13th season of Big Bang, before Jim Parsons decided to leave and it was ultimately decided that the show would end. Cuoco revealed her reaction to that turn of events, admitting that she was shocked but understood that the cast agreed, from the beginning, to leave the show together when the time came. The other comments Cuoco shared with the news outlet may indicate why she wouldn’t mind returning to the fold:

Given all of this, I wonder if these comments will make their way to Chuck Lorre and co., as they plot out the future of the franchise. Still, it would take more than the Harley Quinn star agreeing to return as Penny for a revival. Other actors would need to be convinced as well.

How Did Jim Parsons React To The Notion Of Reprising Sheldon?

Jim Parsons recently appeared on Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?, during which he was asked if he’d consider playing Sheldon Cooper again for a revival of sorts. When responding, Parsons said that this time, it’d be a “no” but that he will “never say never to anything.” The Our Town star also said that playing the eccentric scientist when he’s in his 70s could be a “catastrophe.” When punctuating his point, Parsons noted that given the show was like catching “lightning in a bottle,” whatever he and the cast and crew would do wouldn’t compare to the OG show, which is definitely a fair point.

Of course, if anything does actually come to fruition, it would probably be a while, as the cast has moved onto other projects. There have also been changes in their personal lives. For instance, Kaley Cuoco is balancing her relationship with Tom Pelphrey (to whom she’s engaged) and her responsibilities as a mother following the birth of their daughter, Matilda.

As mentioned, there’s also the fact that the franchise is expanding in other ways and not just with Georgie & Mandy. It was reported in late 2023 that Chuck Lorre was developing another Big Bang spinoff and, this month, it was revealed that franchise alums Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus and Brian Posehn had been tapped for the show. So fans should be well taken care of, though it’s still likely now comforting for them to know that Kaley Cuoco is at least up for more.

The Big Bang Theory is available to stream in its entirety with a Max subscription. With that membership, you’ll also have access to all seven seasons of the Jim Parsons-produced Young Sheldon.

The new Young Sheldon spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, is is finally about to premiere amid the 2024 TV schedule. It marks yet another entry in the expansive Big Bang Theory universe, and there's more to come. Another spinoff is officially in the works, and it just took a major step forward. All the while, Jim Parsons -- who returned alongside Mayim Bialik for the YS series finale -- weighed in on possibly joining a revival of the OG show.

What Jim Parsons Had To Say About Joining A Reboot

Jim Parsons played physicist Sheldon Cooper on all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory and served as the narrator of Young Sheldon. Between both shows, the four-time Emmy winner has basically played Sheldon for 17 years, so one could theoretically understand if he wanted to retire the super genius for good. While appearing on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace, the actor shared somewhat mixed feelings on the prospect of reuniting with his fellow Big Bang cast members:

It should be pointed out that The Big Bang Theory came to an end because the Spoiler Alert star was ready to move on. However, he apparently didn't know the series would conclude if he departed. Right now, it would seem that the fan-favorite actor isn't so keen on reprising Dr. Cooper, but that could change in time. A fan, like myself, would likely love to see that happen, though I can't deny that the Hollywood EP did make a fair point about a potential reboot:

The Big Bang Theory might be a show that went on too long, but it’s also one of the best series streaming on Max, indicating just how beloved it is. All in all, it sounds like fans may not want to hold their breath when it comes to the return of Sheldon Cooper, but I appreciate the Hidden Figures alum's honest sentiments. That being said, franchise devotees can look forward to the new spinoff that's on the way. And, now, it would seem that the show will officially see the return of some particular Big Bang alums.

How The Latest Big Bang Theory Spinoff Is Coming Along

It was reported back in November 2023 that Chuck Lorre was creating a new Big Bang Theory-related series. Now, according to Variety, that spinoff is in early development at Max. Plot details have not been revealed, but it will reportedly star Brian Posehn, Lauren Lapkus and Kevin Sussman, who are under talent holding deals. The three would be reprising their roles as Caltech geologist Bert Kibbler, Comic Center assistant manager Denise, and Comic Center owner Stuart Bloom, respectively.

That's an unexpected trio of leads for next Big Bang Theory series, especially since Lauren Lapkus and Brian Posehn played recurring characters on the original show. Still, these castings are a testament to the notion that the producers are really looking to shake things up while expanding this fictional universe. Yet that doesn’t mean that Jim Parsons and co. couldn't show up on the new show, despite the latter's feelings on a true revival. Here's hoping that comes to pass in some way.

If you eventually want to check out the upcoming Big Bang Theory spinoff, grab yourself a Max subscription, which will allow you access to all 12 seasons of the parent show as well.

The world lost a true legend with the July 18 passing of Bob Newhart at the age of 94. The man was a television and comedy icon who starred in some of the best sitcoms of all time, not to mention movies like Elf and Legally Blonde 2. However, as his memory was honored on the CBS special Bob Newhart: A Legacy of Laughter on July 22, it was his time on The Big Bang Theory that struck a chord with me, and Jim Parsons’ recollection of Newhart’s first appearance as Professor Proton makes me want to watch those episodes.

Bob Newhart was one of The Big Bang Theory’s best guest stars, appearing in six episodes as Arthur Jeffries, aka Professor Proton. Out of all of Newhart’s projects, this was the one that finally got him his Emmy, as he took home the trophy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2013. The fanfare over the role, however, apparently started much earlier than that. On Bob Newhart: A Legacy of Laughter, Jim Parsons recalled the audience’s reaction to seeing the legendary actor take the stage, saying:

That wasn’t the first time the Sheldon Cooper actor talked about Bob Newhart’s emotional reaction to that reception from The Big Bang Theory’s live audience. In 2022 Jim Parsons spoke to Parade about that first night, and hearing how beloved the comedian was hits even harder now that he’s gone. Parsons said:

A Legacy of Laughter featured a lot of old interviews with Bob Newhart as well, and amongst them was one where the actor talked about how the writing really attracted him to the sitcom, and apparently he made quite an impression on its cast. Behind-the-scenes footage from 2013 showed what the stars thought about getting to act alongside the comedic legend:

• Jim Parsons: It was the first person that we’ve ever had that I really thought, ‘Oh my God, you exist.’ You know? He’s like an icon. Literally, he is an icon to me.
• Kaley Cuoco: I love him so much, I love him so much, I love him so much.
• Johnny Galecki: I do too.

The Big Bang Theory’s cast members were among those who paid tribute to Bob Newhart following the news of his death, with Mayim Bialik remembering him as “a true comedy legend – the likes of whom we simple don’t see anymore,” and Kaley Cuoco said he was “classy, kind, generous and absolutely hilarious.”

If you’ve never seen Bob Newhart’s episodes of The Big Bang Theory — or if you just want to rewatch them again — the series is available to stream with a Max subscription, and we’ve also compiled a list of Bob Newhart’s best movies and TV shows if you want to remember the comedy icon by enjoying his work.

Sometimes, a character and a project come around that impacts the zeitgeist deeply, and when that happens, the role becomes permanently attached to an actor’s legacy. This list includes over 30 actors from some of the greatest movies and TV shows who will forever be remembered for one role. 

Daniel Radcliffe – Harry Potter, Harry Potter 

While Daniel Radcliffe’s list of best movies is long and notable – with entries like Swiss Army Man and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – he will always be known first and foremost as The Boy Who Lived. The actor took on the titular role of Harry Potter when he was 12 years old, and he’s the face of a franchise of movies that have raised countless people. So, while he is beloved for lots of things, nothing will ever be as big and prominent as his role in the Wizarding World.  

Aaron Paul – Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad and its cast truly took the world by storm, and the guys leading the charge, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, became certified legends because of it. It’s hard to separate Paul from Jesse Pinkman, and the impact he made with his fellow ensemble members in this incredible show.  

Sarah Michelle Gellar – Buffy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

When you play one of the greatest TV characters of all time, obviously, it’ll be the thing you’re most remembered for. For Sarah Michelle Gellar, she’ll always be known as the legendary Buffy the Vampire Slayer after playing the empowering and strong titular character for seven seasons in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. 

Robert Downey Jr. – Iron Man/Tony Stark, Iron Man

Yes, Robert Downey Jr. won an Oscar for Oppenheimer, and yes, he’s well known for roles in other films, like Sherlock Holmes. However, when you single-handedly help successfully start a cinematic universe like the one Marvel has and star in nine of those projects, yes, you are going to be known for playing that character forever.

So, when it comes to RDJ’s legacy, his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be the thing he’s remembered forever for.  

Elijah Wood – Frodo, Lord of the Rings

Like Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Potter, so many grew up with Elijah Wood and Lord of the Rings. His portrayal of the hobbit Frodo Baggins was incredibly impactful, and while he has gone on to play a variety of memorable roles, there’s no denying the power of the Rings. 

Carrie Fisher – Princess Leia, Star Wars

You can’t talk about the late great Carrie Fisher and her career without mentioning Princess Leia and the Star Wars movies. She inspired a whole generation as her intelligent, stubborn and empowering princess, and the five films she was a part of helped define sci-fi in film. 

Leonard Nimoy – Spock, Star Trek

Live long and prosper, my friend. Forever and always the legendary Leonard Nimoy will be known for originating the role of the half-Vulcan, half-human Spock in Star Trek. 

Christopher Reeve – Superman, Superman

Christopher Reeve’s legacy is rooted in him playing Superman in four films. Even the documentary that came out about his life in 2024 leans into his time playing Clark Kent, as it’s called Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. 

James Gandolfini – Tony Soprano, The Sopranos

The Sopranos is considered one of the greatest shows on television, and James Gandolfini’s performance as Tony Soprano is a major reason why. The actor won three Emmys for his performance in the series, and his name, face and voice are synonymous with the beloved HBO drama. 

Alicia Silverstone – Cher Horowitz, Clueless

When I think of Alicia Silverstone, I immediately think of Cher, because she is and always will be best known for her iconic performance in one of the best movies of the ‘90s, Clueless. 

Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley, Alien

Sigourney Weaver changed the sci-fi game when she starred in Alien. Ellen Ripley is a magnificent and strong leading woman in this sci-fi horror flick, which in 1979, was not something we saw very often. 

Jim Parsons – Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory

“Bazinga!” Will always follow Jim Parsons, and that’s because of his tenure playing Sheldon Cooper in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The actor has four Emmys for playing the role, he starred in all 280 episodes of the comedy, and his character even inspired a spinoff, Young Sheldon, which came to an end in 2024 after its own seven-season run. 

Kit Harington – Jon Snow, Game of Thrones

The world was introduced to Kit Harington because of Game of Thrones, and he will always be remembered as the heroic Jon Snow. His role in the GOT cast was vital, and over the years, as we watched him battle it out at The Wall and work toward saving Westeros from winter, it was impossible not to fall for him. Now, while Harington has been in numerous other projects since then, it’s impossible not to think of him as this epic fantasy hero first. 

Emma Watson – Hermione Granger, Harry Potter

These days, Emma Watson doesn’t act anymore, and she’s killing with her gin company Renais. However, she’ll also always be remembered as a wonderful actress who brought life to the beloved witch Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films. 

The Entire Cast of Friends

Yes, the cast of Friends all went on to have successful careers after the NBC sitcom. However, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox are best known as Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Monica, and they always will be, because they’re the ones with a hit TV show. 

Ralph Macchio – Daniel LaRusso, The Karate Kid

After three Karate Kid movies, and six seasons of its highly successful spinoff Cobra Kai, you’d be silly not to think that Ralph Macchio will always be remembered for playing Daniel LaRusso. 

Linda Hamilton – Sarah Connor, The Terminator

Linda Hamilton played Sarah Connor in The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Terminator: Dark Fate. She’s beloved for portraying the protagonist in this sci-fi franchise, and she’s synonymous with this series that she starred in alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Chris Hemsworth – Thor, Thor

While many Marvel actors have become synonymous with their characters, one who really stands out is Chris Hemsworth and Thor. Physically, the Australian actor perfectly embodies the God of Thunder, and throughout his time playing the character he added an unexpected sense of humor to the role – especially post-Thor: Ragnarok – that he’ll be remembered forever for. 

Kristen Stewart – Bella Swan, Twilight

Twilight, the debate about Team Edward vs. Team Jacob and Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan took over the zeitgeist between 2008-2012. To this day, while she’s gone on to star in incredible films like Spencer and Love Lies Bleeding, the role that made her a household name is one of the parts she’ll always be remembered for. 

Heath Ledger – The Joker, The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger is widely regarded as the best Joker, because of his commanding performance as the legendary Batman villain in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. This movie was also one of his last before his untimely death, and he won a posthumous Oscar for his incredible take on the infamous big bad. 

Millie Bobby Brown – Eleven, Stranger Things

Millie Bobby Brown has made quite a few successful films, like the Enola Holmes movies. However, it’s undeniable that the role that will define her career is Eleven in Stranger Things. She was only 12 when she started playing the mysterious super-powered human, and over the course of the show’s five-season run, both she and the ensemble of the Netflix series, have become pop culture icons because of the show. 

William Shatner – Captain Kirk, Star Trek

If you take a look at the four projects listed at the top of William Shatner’s IMDb page, all of them are Star Trek movies where he played Captain Kirk. The man starred in seven films and a long-running TV show as the beloved captain, so of course it’s what he’s best known for. 

Michael J. Fox – Marty McFly, Back to the Future

From Family Ties to Teen Wolf, Michael J. Fox and his shows and movies were ‘80s staples. However, there’s no denying that the project he’ll always be remembered for is Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future. To this day, the project is considered one of the best ‘80s movies, and Fox is still beloved for playing the charismatic, funny and heroic Marty McFly. 

Reese Witherspoon – Elle Woods, Legally Blonde 

In the over two decades since Legally Blonde’s release, so many have been inspired to pursue their dreams and wear lots and lots of pink. That’s because Elle Woods truly left an amazing mark on the zeitgeist, and it’s because of Reese Witherspoon’s heartfelt, funny and preppy performance as the incredible lawyer-in-training. 

As Elle Woods would say, “What like it’s hard” to create one of the best characters and movies of the 2000s? 

Jon Hamm – Don Draper, Mad Men

While Jon Hamm is a wicked comedic actor, and he’s starred in a myriad of fun movies, nothing will ever come close to Mad Men. For 92 episodes, Hamm led the Mad Men cast as Don Draper – which he took an Emmy home for in 2015 – and he’ll always be recognized for playing the charismatic creative director of Sterling Cooper.

Judy Garland – Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a film that has raised generations of kids since 1939, and it’s still a family classic. So, when you lead a beloved musical like that, as Judy Garland did, and it remains relevant and loved for over eight decades, obviously, the role you’ll always be known for is that one. 

David Tennant – The Doctor, Doctor Who

While everyone who has played the titular timelord on Doctor Who is known for that role specifically, David Tennant is a fan-favorite Doctor, and it’s single-handedly the project he’s best known for. While he’s dabbled in many other critically acclaimed projects, like Good Omens and Broadchurch, he is and always will be the beloved actor who graced our screens as the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors first and foremost. 

Anthony Hopkins – Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs is one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and it’s in part thanks to Anthony Hopkins' truly terrifying cannibal Hannibal Lecter. In fact, his character became so popular that it inspired three more movies and a TV show. 

Sarah Jessica Parker – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

I’m sure Carrie Bradshaw inspired many women to become writers, and I know she left many of us fantasizing about living out our lives in New York City. Sarah Jessica Parker truly slayed the role, and her own sense of style and charismatic personality meshed perfectly with Carrie. Along with playing the writer in the OG series Sex and the City, SJP has also portrayed her in two movies and the series And Just Like That. 

Emilia Clarke – Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones 

Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, those are all the names Emilia Clarke’s dragon rider went by in Game of Thrones, and she gave an absolutely commanding performance as her. While her ending wasn’t what most wanted, there’s no denying how amazing it was to see Daenerys rise from a woman trying to survive to a powerful leader, and that’s because of how brilliant Clarke was in the role. 

Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker, Star Wars

He was the face of the original trilogy, and you can’t think about Star Wars without thinking about Mark Hamill and Luke Skywalker. While the actor is well-known for other roles, especially in the world of voice acting, his most prominent part has to be this. 

Gal Gadot – Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman

Sadly, there aren’t many superhero movies led by women. However, luckily, we do have a few wonderful ones, and that includes Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman. She played the beloved hero with so much grace, poise and strength, and she’ll 100% always be remembered for it. 

Obviously, while all these actors have played other prominent roles in well-known movies and shows, there’s no question that when we consider their legacies, these parts will be the first ones we think about. They’re that iconic, and we have these performers to thank for them. 

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn’t yet watched Young Sheldon’s finale on CBS or with a Paramount+ subscription, so be warned!

After six seasons of the Cooper family’s victories, struggles and everything in between, the hit dramedy Young Sheldon hung up its titular character’s assortment of hats with the emotional one-two punch of “Funeral” and “Memoir,” which immediately followed the death of patriarch George Cooper. The finale brought Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik back for in-person appearances that addressed some Big Bang Theory inconsistencies (while not addressing Leonard, leading some to believe he’s dead now.) And though the prequel seemed to fully deflate Sheldon thinking his father was unfaithful, that never 100% happened.

In fact, even after the prior episode in question ("Ants on a Log and a Cheating Winker") aired and revealed to audiences that what Sheldon thought was infidelity was just married-couple roleplay, some fans still had suspicions about George and neighbor Brenda, given all the hints that were laid out previously. Just because he wasn’t with another woman for Sheldon’s final one-knock interruption, that doesn’t necessarily mean George was never with any other women, right? Well, showrunner Steve Molaro shared an official explanation for it, and it more or less confirms a shockingly dark Big Bang Theory detail.

Young Sheldon Showrunner Shares Definitive Answer About Whether George Ever Cheated

The story of George Cooper’s potential tryst first came out of The Big Bang Theory’s Season 10 episode “The Hot Tub Contamination,” during which Sheldon revealed that his long-standing habit of knocking on doors three times stemmed from the trauma of walking in on his father with another woman. It was an incident that he seemingly never spoke to anyone else about, at least until his admission to with sex already being an uncomfortable subject for him.

Showrunner Steve Molaro, who co-created Young Sheldon along with Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre, spoke with TVLine about the sitcom swan song, and confirmed that George didn't fool around during that pivotal moment or any other. Even though it was such a big part of Sheldon's psyche on Big Bang Theory, despite certain details not matching up, Molaro and other writers eventually came to feel like that story turn wasn't the right fit for this show. In his words:

So while some fans may choose to believe that George and Brenda had more going on than just friendly and possibly flirty banter, that's just salacious headcanon, and it's not the way the showrunner intended things to go. But just because Sheldon's dad turned out to be a good husband, that doesn't mean everything is all peaches and cream and happiness.

Why This Is A Surprisingly Dark Confirmation For The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon

Imagine being a kid and thinking you see Santa Claus flying through the sky on Christmas night, and how such a cherished memory can keep one's hope up throughout life, despite later knowing that it was based on fiction. Now imagine the depressing flip-side to that situation, and that's where part of Sheldon brain resides, because he never actually learned the truth. And no one was able to tell it to him because no one else knew he was suffering from such a misunderstanding.

Just in case anyone out there hopes that Sheldon and his mom Mary were able to one day sit down and talk out their closeted skeletons, Steve Molaro doesn't follow that line of thinking. Here's how he put it:

Rather than being able to come to grips with the reality of the situation being at odds with his own experience, Sheldon will presumably go the rest of his life holding onto that confusion, turmoil, guilt and plenty of other stomach-churning feelings. It's just awful, but is also maybe one of the most low-key genius story beats that any broadcast show has ever pulled off.

In the end, Sheldon's long-lasting trauma really rests more within the heads of TV audiences, since it's not as if Sheldon was a mopey grump about it all. The fact that fans went more than nine seasons without knowing that incident existed obviously speaks to the idea that this is a fictional series where narratives are developed over time, and not all at once.

But man, taken at face value, this is easily one of the darkest sitcom details I can think of, and I probably won't ever be able to watch Sheldon's Big Bang Theory knock again without feeling weird and knotty about it. At least he didn't spend years of his life and thousands of dollars attempting to find the "German" woman that he believed his father was with. That we know of, anyway.

Young Sheldon is now completed, presumably without any further exploits to come. All six seasons are available to stream with a Netflix subscription, while the latest season (and all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory) are streaming on Max. Head to our 2024 TV schedule to see what else is on the way to the small screen soon.

It’s rare that an actor gets to say goodbye to a role twice. However, that’s exactly what Jim Parsons did recently, as the 2024 TV schedule saw Young Sheldon’s final episode drawing the legacy of Dr. Sheldon Cooper with bittersweet results. And to be completely honest, I’m not surprised, as the way he described the experience can be summed up in one word: “weird.” 

As he reflected on his recent experience in Young Sheldon's shocking finale during an E! Online interview, Parsons addressed the scenario that saw him leaving Sheldon’s spot in pop culture yet again. And the oddity of it all is basically summed up in this very fitting recollection: 

The difference in Jim Parsons’ Young Sheldon experience was probably due to the fact that his role in the follow-up was mostly as a voice-over. So when it came to wrapping his time after seven seasons, the bonds probably weren’t as emotional as they were on The Big Bang Theory. 

There may have been stories of regular cast members freely sobbing like Kaley Cuoco during the final table read of Big Bang, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with Parsons. Although, one has to wonder how Iain Armitage, the actor behind Young Sheldon's titular character, is holding up. 

However, the emotional toll that came with Young Sheldon did show itself to Jim in its own unique way. As he further clarified his feelings, the veteran sitcom actor highlighted a particular wrinkle in ending a sitcom that most people probably don’t think about:

Wrapping a major sitcom character like Dr. Sheldon Cooper is definitely weird, but what’s even weirder is seeing the public reaction and feeling those emotions all over again months later. So in theory, Jim Parsons has had to say goodbye to Sheldon four times in his career. 

Though what we know about Georgy and Mandy’s First Marriage doesn’t seem to suggest we’ll be seeing that sort of thing happening again for Parsons, it’d be foolish to totally rule it out. After all, how many people saw Young Sheldon lasting for seven seasons? And even then, it might be Iain Armitage's turn to revive the sitcom spirit of Dr. Sheldon Cooper.

If you’re looking to say goodbye to Sheldon's youth in your own way, you can stream Young Sheldon's entire seven-season run between two platforms. The first six seasons are currently being housed on Netflix, and the final season is now streaming for those with a Paramount+ subscription. 

Major spoilers below for anyone who hasn’t yet watched Young Sheldon’s series finale on CBS or with a Paramount+ subscription, so be warned!

For seven memorable years, Young Sheldon’s creative team filled out the backstory of The Big Bang Theory’s resident genius Sheldon Cooper, and the tragi-comic culmination was reached in the CBS show’s two-part series finale. The first part followed up on George Cooper’s long-anticipated death with his funeral proceedings, while the second part featured the heavily hyped on-screen reunion between former co-stars Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik. But it’s what the prequel series didn’t show that has sparked curiosity, specifically when it comes to the fate of Johnny Galecki’s Leonard Hofstadter.

Understandably, a series devoted so largely to Sheldon’s life doesn’t necessarily owe fans any updates for other Big Bang Theory characters, but co-creators Steve Molaro and Chuck Lorre definitely knew that fans of the flagship sitcom have always pored over the follow-up show for connective tissue. And I know I'm not the only one who was hoping for a Leonard-flavored breadcrumb in the final episode.

While nothing in the installment “Memoir” directly revealed anything doom-laden about Leonard, a few clues indicate that the beloved character is out of the picture, whether it be due to death or perhaps a divorce from Kaley Cuoco's Penny. Let’s go over what we know to try and figure things out, since I doubt any kind of confirmation will come up in Georgie and Mandy’s upcoming spinoff.

Penny Was Namechecked, But No Mention Of Leonard

When it comes right down to it, the biggest piece of evidence pointing to Leonard’s current whereabouts is arguably the lack of evidence within not just the finale, but all of Young Sheldon’s run. Even though Leonard and Sheldon’s friendship developed after his coming-of-age teen years depicted in the dramedy prequel, it’s always been just a little odd that Jim Parsons’ Sheldon never once name-dropped his brainy bestie in any narration.

It might not be as odd if Young Sheldon was completely bereft of Big Bang Theory references and returns on the whole, but the show had already featured Mayim Bialik’s voiceover in the past, and also brought Simon Helberg’s Howard back in the middle of its run. But the kicker here is that Penny’s name does come up in the series finale, so the writers could have easily worked in a nod to Leonard’s current situation within that same line of dialogue.

When Amy mentions that their daughter, who curiously isn’t named, has developed an interest in becoming an actress, Sheldon responds by saying:

Was the implication there that Penny is perhaps more inclined to take on babysitting duties herself, due to whatever natural matronly vibes she exudes, as opposed to sharing those duties with Leonard? Or is the idea that Penny is now a single woman, either due to a divorce or something far more depressing? The third option would be that Sheldon merely named Penny instead of Leonard due to the context of acting being discussed. Whatever the reason, Cuoco’s character was the only TBBT fave referenced, and that seemed to be quite intentional.

Sheldon And Amy Named Their Son Leonard

To be sure, the name Leonard definitely did come up during Young Sheldon’s flash-forward segments, just not in direct reference to Johnny Galecki’s physicist. Rather, that’s the name that Sheldon and Amy named their son, who is already showing signs of branching away from science as an obsession through participating in youth hockey games.

Now, it’s a well-known fact that Sheldon’s idol is the late, great Star Trek vet Leonard Nimoy, so on the one hand, it’s perfectly logical that he and Amy would go that route in naming their first-born son. But on the other hand, that specific bit of nomenclature would likely present some unnecessary confusion amidst the friend group, at least assuming adult Leonard is still around.

It’s obviously not unlawful or extremely rare for parents to name a child after a friend or loved one who’s still alive, but that kind of tribute is far more common after someone has passed away, or is at least no longer around in a regular capacity. Which speaks more to the idea that he died at some point, possibly due to the various health issues that he brought up in the 12 years The Big Bang Theory aired, as opposed to Leonard and Penny splitting up.

If this were a situation where a difficult divorce came into play before Amy and Sheldon had their son, then I seriously doubt they would have gone forward with naming the kid Leonard, knowing that they’d be asking Penny to babysit down the line. But that’s more of a socially awkward choice than anything else, so I guess I wouldn’t totally put it past Sheldon.

Johnny Galecki Previously Hit Pause On His Entertainment Career

Let’s step outside the narrative box for a second to pose a different reason for Young Sheldon seemingly avoiding any updates about Leonard: former Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki hit pause on his entertainment career to focus on his growing family in their gorgeous Tennessee home. So it’s likely that Steve Molaro and Chuck Lorre were all too aware that the Roseanne vet wouldn’t be up for reprising the role on Young Sheldon at any point.

To that end, it’s possible they chose not to offer any specific updates about Leonard without having Galecki’s input and blessing about where the character ended up. It’s also plausible that they assumed invoking Leonard’s current whereabouts would lead to an unwanted rise in fans trying to contact Galecki privately.

With any number of reasons behind the creative team’s choice to leave Leonard references by the wayside, Young Sheldon has now completely wrapped up its seven-season run, with only George and Mandy’s impending spinoff to potentially provide further insights into Sheldon, Amy, Penny and Leonard’s lives in the post-Big Bang era. Maybe if that Max spinoff ever makes it through the development process, it’ll offer its own clues into these characters' lives.

Until we know more, Young Sheldon's easter egg-filled finale can be streamed along with all the other episodes on Paramount+, while all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory are available with a Max subscription.

One of the many shows ending or canceled in 2024, Young Sheldon is swiftly coming up on its series finale. It was in 2023 that the Big Bang Theory prequel was confirmed to be ending after Season 7 and would mark the moment with a big one-hour finale. Details surrounding the final episode have been mostly kept under wraps, with the exception of one very big detail. Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik will be reuniting for appearances in the closing installment. And, now, CBS has finally dropped a first look at their highly-anticipated return.

At this point, it's hard to say just what will be bringing back adult Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler into the picture. But a new first look at the finale shows the couple in what looks to be Sheldon’s office, with the genius looking at something on his laptop. What exactly that is, of course, is unknown, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it were to tie back into the past storyline present in Young Sheldon:

It’s been five years since The Big Bang Theory ended and, since then, fans have been hearing Jim Parsons' version of Cooper narrate every episode of Young Sheldon. Nevertheless, it’s still as exciting as ever to actually see adult Sheldon again. This will be his first time appearing on the prequel on-screen, and the same is true for Mayim Bialik's Amy. It's bittersweet, but fitting, that they'd return for the final episode. It looks like the crew had fun with that, too. Parsons and series star Iain Armitage were taking advantage of having two Sheldons on set as evidenced by a fun TikTok post. Check out another look at Dr. Cooper's return:

On top of a Big Bang reunion, something else that the finale will more than likely include is the death of George Sr. Young Sheldon has more or less been building up to his tragic fate, and a recent BTS photo even had all key family members dressed in black, possibly foreshadowing his death. Perhaps that’s what will bring Amy and adult Sheldon into the picture. Sheldon may be looking at old family photos or telling Amy a story about his past. Regardless, I expect that the finale will be an emotional send-off that fans won’t want to miss.

Even though I’m hyped for Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik’s appearance on Young Sheldon, though I'm feeling a way. That's because Parsons comments about it makes it feel like the end of an era. (Even though the Georgie & Mandy spinoff is coming.) The actor reflected on how beautiful, weird and sweet the experience was and the fact that he was asked back in the first place. It’s going to be odd to see it all come to an end, but I'm also excited to check out exactly how Parsons and Bialik fit into the picture!

Fans will be able to see the Big Bang Theory alums reprise their famous roles when Young Sheldon's series finale airs on Thursday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS as part of the 2024 TV schedule. In the meantime, catch up on episodes using a Paramount+ subscription, and Max subscribers can stream the parent show as well.

As Young Sheldon prepares to end in just a few weeks on the 2024 TV schedule, the cast is sharing some of their final goodbyes while also keeping the mood light. After Iain Armitage shared an adorable throwback once filming wrapped, the young actor took part in a fun TikTok with his adult counterpart Jim Parsons, and I am loving it.

We've known for quite some time now that Parsons will be appearing in the Young Sheldon finale, reprising his role as adult Sheldon Cooper. While Parsons serves as the show’s narrator and is an executive producer, this will be his first time appearing on the prequel on-screen. Of course, it seems like he and Armitage took full advantage of having two Sheldons on set, as seen in a viral TikTok from the official Young Sheldon account:

Playing on the fact that there is a TikTok filter that shows you what you might look like when you get old, Armitage took the trend one step further by just handing the phone to Parsons instead of using the in-app feature. On top of that, The Big Bang Theory alum was not only dressed exactly like Armitage, but he continued to play along by saying that it also changes your voice. Fans in the comments kept pointing out that the way Parsons said, “I don’t like that,” was definitely like Sheldon, and I can’t say I disagree.

While we've seen adorable BTS moments like this from Big Bang star, details surrounding Parsons and his on-screen wife Mayim Bialik's return are being kept under wraps. With the finale airing on May 16, it won’t be long until fans find out what brings the two to Young Sheldon, and it will surely be an emotional hour. 

While Young Sheldon frequently references The Big Bang Theory and mentions key storylines, albeit sometimes in a different way, it’s been fun to see how the two shows are connected to each other. There’s no doubt that Parsons and Bialik’s return will be a highlight of the finale, no matter how they come back.

Even though Jim Parsons’ return has me hyped and this TikTok brought me so much joy, it does feel like it’s the end of the era, despite the Georgie and Mandy spinoff coming. The Big Bang Theory premiered in 2007, meaning for the last 17 years, fans have been watching Sheldon Cooper, both as an adult in California and as a kid in Texas, and this series finale, while exciting, is also bittersweet. 

However, you never know what could happen next. Maybe, if there isn’t another Sheldon spinoff focused on him going to college at CalTech, my farfetched dream of seeing an older version of Sheldon played by Michael Keaton could come true.

All-in-all, I can't wait to see Parsons on Young Sheldon, especially after seeing this immaculate TikTok he made with his younger counterpart, as it really is the perfect way to bring the series to a close. Unfortunately, CBS is keeping things pretty under wraps when it comes to the loglines for the series finale, but they do stress that it’s going to be an “unforgettable hour of television,” so fans won’t want to miss out. 

The series finale of Young Sheldon premieres on Thursday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, and you can stream old episodes with a Paramount+ subscription. 

Though May 2019 saw the end of the long-running hit The Big Bang Theory, fans were hardly left without anything new from the world of that massive sitcom. It was just a couple of years before that Jim Parsons’ popular character, Sheldon Cooper, got his own spinoff in the form of the prequel, Young Sheldon, which chronicles his years as a child genius. Now, however, that accompanying juggernaut is also reaching the end, and will wrap during the tail end of the 2024 TV schedule, on May 16, after seven seasons. It sounds like fans want Michael Keaton to play an older version of Sheldon in another spinoff, but what does Parsons think of that?

What Did The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons Say About Michael Keaton Possibly Playing Older Sheldon?

Young Sheldon viewers can currently rejoice that we’ll be seeing more from some of the Cooper family come the 2024-2025 TV season, as the newly married Georgie and Mandy Cooper’s story will continue in an as-yet-untitled comedy soon. And, there’s also that not-so-small matter of Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik of Sheldon and Amy (a.k.a. ShAmy) fame bringing the adult versions of their characters in for Young Sheldon’s finale. 

However, when appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Parsons was asked about the fact that fans are now hoping his character will continue to live on via a spinoff with an older Sheldon, played by Oscar nominee Michael Keaton. After being shown a photo of the Batman actor as a young boy, which fans think looks a lot like young Sheldon portrayer Iain Armitage, Parsons said:

I will say that the Spoiler Alert star/producer is completely correct about tiny Michael Keaton. Somehow, his face has been exactly the same his entire life, and while he does sorta bear some resemblance to Armitage, he’s also undeniably still the star of the upcoming sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. You can take a look at the full interview, below:

Unfortunately, it does seem unlikely that Keaton will sign on for a CBS sitcom at this point, but it would be amazing if such a thing actually happened. Obviously, it would mean that many fans' casting dreams would come true, but also it would mean that The Big Bang Theory could continue to live on. Don’t you wonder what Sheldon and Amy would be up to once they’re in their 70s? I would love to know if Sheldon ever broke his (rather understandable) habit of knocking three times on all closed doors that might have people behind them.

Young Sheldon has strapped on its Flash ring and is zooming straight ahead for its series finale, as the CBS dramedy is one of many shows ending in 2024, though thankfully with the caveat that a George and Mandy spinoff is coming to continue to Cooper family’s TV journey. Even more exciting for Big Bang Theory fans is the impending series finale reunion between Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik. Although I must say, the elder Sheldon actor’s latest comments about his character’s return really do make this feel like the last time we’ll see him.

Young Sheldon’s series finale airdate is currently set as May 16, but don’t expect to go crashing the set to catch a glimpse of Parsons and Bialik’s respective returns, because it sounds like they were already filmed. The former appeared on NBC’s Today along with his co-stars in the Broadway drama Mother, Jessica Lange and Celia Keenan-Bolger, and when he was asked about jumping back into the Big Bang-verse, he first echoed previous thoughts about it being a weird, but still positive, experience portraying Sheldon in a single-camera production. In his words:

I can now too easily picture a nightmare situation where Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik walk onto a soundstage with a studio audience full of characters from the horror movie Smile. That would probably slot under the classification of “very weird.” Especially if they all happened to look like Kevn Sussman’s Stuart.

In any case, it was Parsons’ next thought that really drove home the idea that this could truly be the final time audiences get to see the actor embodying the role of Sheldon Cooper. Here’s how he put it:

I think it's the use of the words "nice little coda" that do it. Because nobody says the word "coda" to imply that there's more of something on the way. It exclusively implies an ending, a finality, a swan song for this oddball duckling. I can't imagine he would have called it that had he been in early talks to possibly bring Sheldon back for the George and Mandy spinoff, or any other potential avenues within this world.

Had Parsons worded things more open-endedly or vaguely — in the sense of "It was great to get back into the role, " or "I always enjoy dusting off the old Sheldon vibes" or whatever — it could have left a mental door open for fans to consider a future in which CBS orders up Old Man Sheldon, where he and Hugh Jackman's Logan...wait, no, that wouldn't work.

Though Jim Parsons has lent his vocal talents to Young Sheldon since the spinoff began, with Mayim Bialik also teaming up for a past voiceover cameo, this will be the first time the two actors will appear in person on the series. We're also hoping to see some Reba McEntire, a dream guest star for executive producer Steve Holland, but that may not be so likely.

Will Young Sheldon give Sheldon and Amy a good ending, or will it end things in a somewhat open way that actually could allow for Jim Parsons to return? We'll have to wait and see how the creative team plays it when the CBS dramedy wraps up its six-season run.

Young Sheldon airs Thursday nights on CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET. Check out the 2024 TV schedule to see what summer hits will be around after Sheldon bows out.

The end is nigh for CBS' Young Sheldon, which has been a top performer for the network over the past seven seasons... but Iain Armitage's Sheldon just isn't so young anymore. So, it's fitting that the series finale in May will also feature none other than Adult Sheldon, with The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons reprising his iconic role alongside TV wife Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler. Parsons recently opened up about teaming up with Bialik again to close the book on Young Sheldon in the 2024 TV schedule.

While Jim Parsons is an executive producer and the narrator of Young Sheldon, he hasn't played the character in the flesh since The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019. The same is true for Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler. According to Parsons when speaking with ET, filming together for the spinoff was a "beautiful" experience that didn't quite feel like just more Big Bang. He said:

One of the most obvious differences between The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon as sitcoms is that the spinoff is a single-cam show without a live studio audience. Just as filming in this format was a change for Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik, it will surely feel different to watch.

It's not clear just yet how the Young Sheldon finale will incorporate Parsons and Bialik as Sheldon and Amy, although my best bet is a flash-forward. Assuming that's the case, I'm interested to see if there will be any nods to reveals that we've gotten via Sheldon's narration, like an appearance from their son Leonard Cooper.

Parsons shared what it was like to reconnect with Bialik on the set of the sitcom:

Jim Parsons went on to credit the writers for how they've "continuously created such characters that people connect to, that people enjoy watching," which he described as "always the key" to The Big Bang Theory. The world of Big Bang also isn't ending with the upcoming finale of Young Sheldon. CBS confirmed that a spinoff based on Georgie and Mandy is on the way for the 2024-2025 TV season, with Montana Jordan and Emily Osment reprising their Young Sheldon roles. Another Big Bang spinoff is reportedly in the works at Max, with Chuck Lorre providing an update in late 2023.

For now, you can find new episodes of Young Sheldon on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC ahead of Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik's arrivals in the series finale. The seventh season of Young Sheldon so far is currently available streaming with a Paramount+ subscription, with the first six seasons as well as full run of The Big Bang Theory streaming via Max subscription.

Young Sheldon Season 7 premiered a few weeks back on the 2024 TV schedule, and it marked the beginning of the end of a nearly-decade-long journey. The spinoff of The Big Bang Theory is wrapping up, with the series finale set to air in mid-May. But one big aspect of this final episode has already been unveiled, as viewers can look forward to Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik respectively reprising Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah-Fowler, which I think we can all agree is the Big Bang Theory reunion we need for an occasion like this.

Now granted, Parson’s presence has always been felt on Young Sheldon (which Paramount+ subscribers can stream and has also been crushing on Netflix) since he narrates it and is an executive producer, but for this last hurrah, he’ll be appearing on camera with Bialik. This is the first time this has happened since The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019, though Bialik also provided voiceover work for two previous episodes. But because they’re back together, this will be our first opportunity to fully check in on the adult Sheldon and Amy following The Big Bang Theory coming to a close after 12 seasons.

It is worth pointing out that the Young Sheldon series finale technically won’t be the first time we’ve seen Amy Farrah-Fowler on camera during the show. The Season 2 finale depicted her, Leonard Hofstadter, Penny, Raj Koothrappali, Howard Wolowitz and Bernadette  Rostenkowski as children, at the same time that Iain Armitage’s Sheldon was listening to the Nobel Prize announcements. Still, learning that Jim Parsons’ Sheldon and Mayim Bialik’s Amy will be back together should be most welcomed by Big Bang Theory fans, and hopefully we can also officially meet their son, Leonard Cooper, whose existence was revealed back in 2020.

This is the latest bit of Young Sheldon-related news that’s trickled in over the last few days. First, it was revealed that Sheldon’s older best friend Tam, who was appeared throughout Seasons 1-4, will return during Season 7, likely to establish something viewers learned during The Big Bang Theory Season 12. Then it was officially announced that a spinoff focused on Georgie Cooper and Mandy McAllister has been greenlit. And, of course, before Young Sheldon’s final season is over, we’ll also witness the death of George Sr., Sheldon, Georgie and Missy’s father.

Catch new episodes of Young Sheldon Thursdays at 8 pm ET on CBS. If you’re now in the mood to revisit The Big Bang Theory, that can be streamed with a Max subscription.

Everything is bigger in Texas, they say, and that certainly includes the star power of its homegrown celebrities. From the biggest stars in music to the biggest on the silver screen, the biggest celebs in the squared circle, and almost everywhere else, Texas has bred them all. 

California may be home to Hollywood, but there might not be a Hollywood without its biggest legends who hail from the Lone Star State, so here is our list of some of the biggest stars from Texas

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey was born in Uvalde, Texas, raised mostly in Longview, TX, went to college in Austin, and got his first big break in show business in Dazed & Confused, which was, of course, filmed in Texas. McConaughey still lives in Austin. It makes sense that the proud Texan wants to see more movies made in his home state. McConaughey has also sparked rumors in the past that he might be interested in running for political office in Texas, though he's usually brushed them aside. Politician or not, the man sure loves his home state. 

Renée Zellweger

She may have won accolades for playing an English woman, but Renée Zellweger is Texas through and through. The Bridget Jones' Diary star was born outside Houston in Katy, TX, and grew up there before attending the University of Texas. It was in Austin that she discovered her love for acting and she landed her first on-screen role as an extra in Dazed & Confused. 

Owen Wilson

Dallas-born Owen Wilson has played a lot of fantastic roles over the years, but none better than his many roles in the films of Wes Anderson. Wilson and fellow Texan Anderson have been friends since their college days at the University of Texas. It's also worth noting that both of Owen Wilson's brothers, Luke and Andrew, also hail from Texas, of course. 

Jim Parsons

While some people ooze "Texas," Houston native Jim Parsons doesn't, really. You might guess he'd be from New York or Chicago, but nope, he's a Texan. Born and raised in the suburbs of Houston, he also attended the University of Houston before striking out for Hollywood and making it big. 

Carol Burnett

Comedy legend Carol Burnett grew up in California, attending high school right in Hollywood, but the Annie star was born deep in the heart of Texas, in San Antonio in 1933. Though her vast career has taken her far from Texas, the state can still call her one of its own. 

Beyoncé

If the stars are brighter and everything is bigger in Texas, then it only makes sense that one of the biggest stars would come from Houston. There is no bigger star on the planet than Beyoncé, who was born and raised in Texas along with her sister Solange and her Destiny's Child bandmate, LaTavia Roberson. 

Selena Gomez

Like many other native Texas, Selena Gomez is proud of her Mexican heritage. The Only Murders In The Building star was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, near Dallas, and although her many acting roles and career took her to California early in life, her family's roots are firmly in the Lone Star State. Gomez is named for another Texas native as well, the late Tejano superstar Selena, who was murdered in Corpus Christi in 1995. 

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson first got famous playing a farm boy-turned-bartender from Indiana on Cheers, and while he moved to Ohio as a teenager, Harrelson was born in Midland, Texas. He's also tight with his occasional co-star and fellow Texan, Matthew McConaughey, and, according to McConaughey, the two could even be brothers! 

Tommy Lee Jones

Sure, he was roommates at Harvard with Al Gore, but Tommy Lee Jones is all Texan. The No Country For Old Men star was born in the small town of San Saba, Texas, and raised in Midland. He's never really strayed far either, as he has resided in Terrell Hills, TX, near San Antonio, for years. He's also a member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Texas Film Hall of Fame. There really isn't another actor who screams "Texas" like Jones, is there?

Steve Martin

Waco-born Steve Martin is one of the funniest people in film history. While he grew up mostly in Southern California, his roots are originally in central Texas, where he was born in Waco, on August 14th, 1945, the same day that the Japanese surrendered in World War II. 

Jamie Foxx

The multi-talented Jamie Foxx started acquiring his many skills as a kid in Terrell, TX, outside Dallas, where he was born and raised. As a kid, he played piano and excelled at sports at Terrell High School. He moved to Southern California after school and in 1991, scored a role on In Living Color, and the rest is history. 

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner moved to West Virginia when she was just three, so she probably doesn't remember much of anything from her early life in Texas, but the Daredevil star was born in Houston. 

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson exploded into show business by winning the first-ever season of American Idol and she's been a star ever since. It's a journey that started when she was born in Forth Worth, TX, and raised in the suburb of Burleson, just outside the city. While her career may have taken her to LA and New York, her heart (and sports allegiance) has stayed in Texas.

Wes Anderson

People love to debate what the best Wes Anderson movie is, but if you are wondering what is his most personal, it's probably Bottle Rocket, which was filmed almost entirely in Anderson's home state of Texas. It stars a couple of fellow Texans as well, Owen and Luke Wilson. While the Wilsons are from Dallas originally, Anderson hails from Houston. 

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion is a triple threat. She proved herself on the mic, and on the dance floor, first, then she started taking over TV and movies by starring in her first film in 2023. Before all that happened, though, she grew up in and around Houston. The “H-town Hottie” even got her nickname, Stallion, in the city. 

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez has been in some huge film franchises, like Fast & Furious and Avatar. She kind of grew up all over, including in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, but she was born and lived for a few years of her life in San Antonio, TX. 

Ethan Hawke

Ethan Hawke's parents were high school sweethearts who had Ethan shortly after they were married. Born in 1970 in Austin, TX, Hawke moved to the Northeast with his mother but spent his summers in Fort Worth with his dad. His grandfather even served in the Texas House of Representatives for 10 years. He has deep Texas roots that he is proud of. 

Hilary Duff

Lizzie McGuire star Hilary Duff is another Texas girl. Born in Houston, her family also spent time in San Antonio before moving to California when Duff was still young to pursue her acting career. Boy did that pay off quickly! 

Jennifer Love Hewitt

From a young age, Jennifer Love Hewitt was showing off her talents, singing and dancing across Texas, where she was born in 1979. Eventually, even the Lone Star State could not contain her and she moved to LA with her family, where she soon landed her first starring role on the legendary Party Of Five, after having roles on the Disney Channel and elsewhere as a kid. 

Eva Longoria

Born in Corpus Christi, TX in 1975, Eva Longoria has always been proud of her Tejano roots. In fact, her ancestry and culture are so important to her that she returned to college to earn a Master's degree in Chicano studies from Cal State-Northridge.

Forest Whitaker

Though he went to high school in Los Angeles, Forest Whitaker's life began in Longview, Texas. Every summer of his youth, he spent time with his grandparents in Longview and still has family all over Texas. 

Taylor Sheridan

It's no surprise that Taylor Sheridan is from Texas. While he was actually born in North Carolina, the Yellowstone creator is the definition of a true Texan. Not only did he grow up in Fort Worth, but he owns a working ranch in the Lone Star state called 6666 Ranch. He and his family live in Weatherford, Texas.

Farrah Fawcett

She might have had the reputation of being the all-American blonde from California, but Farrah Fawcett was born and raised in Texas. After high school in Corpus Christi, she attended the University of Texas before heading to Hollywood where she immediately started landing acting and modeling jobs. Once she scored her role on Charlie's Angels, the rest is history. 

Isaiah Washington

Controversial actor Isaiah Washington's most prominent role was in the first three seasons of Grey's Anatomy. Since then, he's worked on numerous films and TV shows, before announcing his retirement in 2023. He was born and raised in Houston. 

William Jackson Harper

Star of The Good Place William Jackson Harper is a native Texan, born in Dallas and raised in Garland, TX, where he first started acting in high school. His Texas-sized determination kept him going when he struggled early in his career, before finding a starring role on the Kristen Bell-led sitcom. 

Dakota Johnson

It might be surprising to learn that despite being the daughter of Hollywood royalty, Dakota Johnson was born in Texas. She was born to Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson in Austin while her father shot a movie in the Lone Star State. The star was then raised in Los Angeles, of course, but Austin will always be where she came into this world. Since then, she's built a great career. 

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin

Steven James Anderson loves his home state so much, that he took a name based on its capital, Austin. Better known as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the WWE superstar was, in fact, born in Austin, though he was raised mostly in Edna, TX. The wrestler still owns property in the state, Broken Skull Ranch, near Tilden, TX. It's not like he hides his love for the state either, as one of his many nicknames is "The Texas Rattlesnake."

Gary Busey

People sometimes forget that Gary Busey was once nominated for an Oscar for playing Texan Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, and the actor also hails from Holly's home state. Busey was born in the Houston area; Baytown, Texas, to be exact. He moved to Oklahoma in elementary school and it was in Tulsa that the enigmatic actor began his show biz career. One of his first big breaks in Hollywood was a TV show that was set in Texas called, appropriately, The Texas Wheelers.

Gina Carano

Gina Carano was controversially dismissed from The Mandalorian and whether you agree with the decision or not, it's hard to argue that the MMA star brought a little bit of that strong individualism Texas is known for to the role and her career. Something that might be inherent in her, as she was born in Dallas County Texas.

Shaquille O'Neal

Texas is a huge state, with a lot of personality, so it only makes sense that a celebrity who's physically large and has a personality to match would hail from the state. Shaquille O’Neal is an Army brat, so he moved around a lot as a kid, including being born in New Jersey. It's in Texas, however, where the world started to pay attention to O'Neal as he became a standout basketball star, eventually becoming a top college recruit and going to LSU for school. He was drafted into the NBA as the #1 overall pick in 1992, and the rest is history.  

Robin Wright

Robin Wright might be best known for playing a Washington insider on House Of Cards and a Buttercup in The Princess Bride, but before all that, she was born in Dallas in 1966. Her parents divorced when she was young and her family moved to Southern California, but for those two years, she was a Texan. 

Michael Strahan

He first made a name for himself playing football in New York, and now he's known for hosting Good Morning America in New York, but Michael Strahan is a born and bred Texan. He was born in Houston, and went to high school there, though for a little while he lived with his family in Germany where his father was stationed in the Army. 

There you have it, a list that proves everything is, indeed, bigger in Texas. The toast, the steer, the plains, and the stars. Not just the stars in the sky, but the stars in Hollywood and beyond. Few states can compete with the Lone Star state when it comes to star power. 

Very few series have been on the air anywhere near as long as The Simpsons has, which means very few TV shows come close to being on the same level when it comes to guest stars. Beloved characters like Sideshow Bob and Fat Tony wouldn’t exist without recurring guest actors like Kelsey Grammer and Joe Mantegna, but we’re here to appreciate a smaller sub-section of Springfield visitors: celebrities who have played themselves.

Though The Simpsons has relied far more on famous folks playing fictional characters, the series has also boasted a wide variety of celebs from the worlds of art, entertainment, sports and literature across the past 30+ years. (Speaking of Mantegna, he actually voiced himself during Fat Tony’s first episode “Bart the Murderer.”) Now let’s look at a bunch of famous faces who popped up in 2D alongside the Simpson family and other characters. All but one episode noted below is available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.

Tony Bennett

With a career that spanned 70 years, Tony Bennett earned innumerable accolades including a whopping 20 Grammy wins. One of his more noteworthy feats, at least for animation fans, is that he was the very first Simpsons guest star to play themself. Even if it wasn’t the meatiest of Bennett's many film and TV cameos, it still opened the door for others to follow in his crooning footsteps.

Appears As Himself In: Season 2’s “Dancin’ Homer” Also can be heard singing “Capital City” in Season 14’s “Bart Vs. Lisa Vs. the 3rd Grade” and Season 24’s “Whiskey Business”

Betty White

National treasure Betty White first made her way into The Simpsons’ universe in Season 11 as a pledge drive host, though the role was initially offered to her former co-star Mary Tyler Moore. She was presumably the first choice for her second appearance seven seasons later, however, in which she plays up the fact that she and Homer had met before. 

Appears As Herself In: Season 11’s “Missionary: Impossible” and Season 18’s “Homerazzi”

Anthony Bourdain

Celebrity chef and “food bad boy” Anthony Bourdain was no stranger to hosting his own TV shows, which played into his Simpsons cameo in one of Marge’s food-centric dreams. The award-winning chef and author wasn’t the only foodie guest star in that ep, as it also featured Gordon Ramsey and Mario Batali. 

Appears As Himself In: Season 23’s “The Food Wife”

Halle Berry

Academy Award winner Halle Berry graced the animated Oscars stage for her big Simpsons guest spot as the presenter announcing “Angry Dad” as the Best Animated Short winner. Though not before she introduced the show’s cracking Wallace & Gromit parody, nor before she confessed to dreaming about her teeth flying out of her mouth.

Appears As Herself In: Season 22’s “Angry Dad: The Movie”

Paul And Linda McCartney

Paul McCartney is one of three founding Beatles members to guest star on The Simpsons, and the only one to be accompanied by his wife, Linda McCartney. Their appearance came out under the specific condition that Lisa Simpson remain a vegetarian throughout the rest of the show’s run, and she’s stuck to her sustenance-minded guns since.

Appear As Themselves In: Season 7’s “Lisa the Vegetarian,” which also uses the song “Maybe I’m Amazed” over the end credits

Drew Barrymore

Multi-hyphenate celeb Drew Barrymore first popped up on The Simpsons back in 2000 as Krusty the Clown's daughter from a one-night stand, and it took another 24 years for her to return, this time as herself from the set of her daytime talk show.

Appears As Herself In: Season 34’s “The King of Nice,” and as Sophie Krustopfsky in Season 12’s “Insane Clown Poppy”

Stephen King

The King of Horror appeared on The Simpsons in 2000, which was the rare year in which Stephen King didn’t publish any finalized fictional works. (He did release the nonfiction memoir On Writing and the incomplete serialized e-book The Plant.) King turned down the offer to reprise himself for 2022’s Halloween parody special “Not It.”

Appears As Himself In: Season 12’s “Insane Clown Poppy”

• RELATED: Building The Ultimate Stephen King Collection: Every Book, Movie And TV Series A True King Fan Should Own

Britney Spears

In the months before the release of her second mega-popular album Oops!...I Did It Again, as well as her first Grammy nomination, the fictional version of pop star Britney Spears took on some low-hanging job fruit by co-hosting the annual Springfield Pride Awards opposite Kent Brockman. She also aided in the death of 108-year-old Cornelius Chapman, as her kiss sent him to the Circus in the sky.

Appears As Herself In: Season 11’s “The Mansion Family” 

Gal Gadot

A year after her blockbuster leading role in Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot attempted to land an acting gig playing Lisa Simpson for a faith-based movie sourced to Bart’s fabricated story about seeing heaven after a serious injury. The episode also featured a jokey reference to her handing out hamburgers at the 2018 Oscars.

Appears As Herself In: Season 30’s “Bart’s Not Dead”

Cheech And Chong

The comedic duo of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong teamed up once more in animated form for a Simpsons episode dating back to 2011, and one that didn’t hinge upon the leafy plant that fueled their early careers. Also noteworthy: even though Cheech and Chong technically first appeared on South Park, those cameos were recorded separately years before they formally reunited.

Appear As Themselves In: Season 22’s “A Midsummer’s Nice Dream”

Carmen Electra

Baywatch and Scary Movie fave Carmen Electra popped up in one of The Simpsons’ more bizarro celebrity cameos. After Marge and Homer were blamed and jailed for the death of an elderly woman (voiced by Frances Sternhagen), it was all revealed to be part of a new Fox prank show, and not only was the woman still alive, but she was actually Electra in disguise. 

Appears As Herself In: Season 13’s “The Frying Game”

Daniel Radcliffe

Harry Potter vet Daniel Radcliffe poked fun at his own massive fame when he appeared as himself following two previous Simpsons guest spots, running into Homer at a video game convention while in costume, though he immediately gave himself away, only to be consumed by a group of nearby fans. 

Appears As Himself In: Season 29’s “No Good Read Goes Unpunished,” as vampire Edmund in Season 22’s “Treehouse of Horror XXI,” and as Bart’s new friend Diggs in Season 25’s “Diggs”

50 Cent

Grammy winner 50 Cent appeared in one of The Simpsons’ music-centric episodes paying homage to hip-hop, though he didn’t contribute to the musical side of things, and instead tried to make inspiring Bart count as community service. The episode is also notable for inspiring the “Thursday the 20th” necklace meme.

Appears As Himself In: Season 16's "Pranksta Rap"

Suzanne Somers

While still in the midst of her run as a TGIF fan-favorite character in Step By Step, Suzanne Somers appeared as herself opposite an animated David Brinkley as the commentator hosts for the Itchy & Scratchy Show-themed parade. But while the Three’s Company vet did indeed provide her voice for the gags, Brinkley was voiced by Simpsons vet Harry Shearer. 

Appears As Herself In: Season 7’s “The Day the Violence Died”

Matt Groening

The Simpsons’ co-creator Matt Groening is one of the few guest stars whose celebrity status was directly influenced by the existence and success of the show itself. He first appeared as a featured celeb in the show’s Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con, and could be seen gloating about his wealth while loading comics into a truck in the Season 21 premiere, with both eps revolving around Comic Book Guy plots.

Appears As Himself In: Season 15’s “My Big Fat Geek Wedding” Season 21’s “Homer the Whopper” as an announcer in Season 23’s “Holidays of Future Passed”

Lady Gaga

The Season 23 finale stands out as a special one, in that Lady Gaga’s appearance as herself was a core part of the main narrative, as opposed to just a limited cameo. The episode’s focus on unhappiness wasn’t so well-received, but it’s still a great send-up of the singer-songwriter and American Horror Story vet.

Appears As Herself In: Season 23’s “Lisa Goes Gaga”

"Weird" Al Yankovic

Parody mastermind “Weird” Al Yankovic is always dependable for a great cameo, and his first Simpsons appearance featured the faux parody “Homer and Marge,” spoofing the John Mellencamp hit “Jack & Diane.” He next showed up in flashback form (with glasses and curly hair galore) for the layered parody “Brain Freeze,” sending up Homer’s Nirvana-spoofing grunge song “Shave Me.” He then showed up as himself to sing and play the opening theme for a Season 34 couch gag.

Appears As Himself In: Season 14’s “Three Gays of the Condo” Season 19’s “That 90s Show” Season 34’s “Hostile Kirk Place”

• RELATED: Weird Al Yankovic's Greatest Parodies And Other Songs About Movies

Bette Midler

A winner of multiple Grammys and Emmys, Bette Midler showed up in one of The Simpsons’ most eclectic batch of guest stars, many of whom were portrayed to be quasi-friends of Krusty the Clown. (Including Johnny Carson, Elizabeth Taylor, Hugh Hefner, and more.) In a callback to a similar performance devoted to Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, Midler sings “Wind Beneath My Wings” to Krusty, which is quite the surreal (and unearned) sight.

Appears As Herself In: Season 4’s “Krusty Gets Kancelled”

Jim Parsons

Less than a year after bidding adieu to The Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons achieved further geek cred by appearing as himself on The Simpsons for a fun educational-esque video about cryptocurrency.

Appears As Himself In: Season 31's "Frinkcoin"

Dolly Parton

Country music legend Dolly Parton was one of seven different guest stars who voiced themselves for the 1999 episode that aired following Super Bowl XXXIII, including NFL vets Dan Marino and John Madden. (And Rupert Murdoch, because why not?) But as the animated halftime entertainment, Parton is the only one who helped break Homer & Co. out of their stadium cell, so she gets the glory. 

Appears As Herself In: Season 10’s  “Sunday, Cruddy Sunday”

Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen

Before they turned down reprising the role of Michelle Tanner for Fuller House, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen appeared as themselves for a 2004 ep in quite a savvy way: as the voices beyond the audiobook for Marge’s torrid romance novel The Harpooned Heart.  

Appear As Themselves In: Season 15’s “Diatribe of a Mad Housewife”

Yo-Yo Ma

One of the most accomplished cellists in existence, Yo-Yo Ma made his official vocal and musical debut on The Simpsons in 2015, decades after he and co-creator Matt Groening lived in the same Harvard dorm. Yo-Yo Ma had the unenviable task of helping woo Marge's mom for Mr. Burns. The accolade-laden Grammy winner also performed the Simpsons theme song for the closing credits.

Appeared As Himself In: Season 27's "Puffless"

Eartha Kitt

William Daniels provided the voice of Knight Rider's KITT twice on The Simpsons, but here we're talking about the wildly talented singer, actress, and Broadway luminary Eartha Kitt. She appeared in Season 21 as one of Krusty's former wives, who notably didn't make it beyond six hours before getting divorced. 

Appeared As Herself In: Season 21's "Once Upon a Time in Springfield"

Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd is the rare celeb who seems to age better than his animated self, and there are multiple versions to look back on. The MCU vet first brought his Rudd-ity to The Simpsons in the faux biographical film Streaming Valor alongside occasional cohorts Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow. He next appeared as a version of himself who wanted little to do with a judgmental Comic Book Guy in an airport. 

Appeared As Himself In: Season 25's “Steal This Episode,” Season 32's “Three Dreams Denied,” and as therapist Dr. Zander in Season 22's "Love Is a Many Strangled Thing"

Martha Stewart

Homemaker extraordinaire Martha Stewart showed up as herself, or at least a fantasized version of herself, during Marge's dream sequence in Season 22's segmented Christmas episode. She didn't exactly save the holidays, but then nothing can with this family.

Appears As Herself In: Season 22's "The Fight Before Christmas"

Ringo Starr

One of The Simpsons’ earliest guest stars was also one of its most noteworthy. Ringo Starr was the first of the Beatles to appear as a guest star, as well as the subject of several paintings from Marge’s youth. He specifically chose for his Simpson-ized look to resemble his animated look in the 1968 film Yellow Submarine.

Appeared As Himself In: Season 2’s “Brush with Greatness”

Kylie Jenner

The first member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan to make it into the world of The Simpsons in an official capacity, Kylie Jenner lent her voice for the tech-based segment "Wild Barts Can't Be Token" in the 2023 "Treehouse" installment. Though she appeared alongside Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Fallon, she was the only guest star to provide her own voicework.

Appears As Herself In: Season 35's "Treehouse of Horror XXXIV"

Bob The Drag Queen

Bob the Drag Queen became a household name after he took the grand prize in Season 8 of RuPaul's Drag Race, and then reached a whole other kind of icon status by getting Simpson-ized alongside drag sister Monét X Change in Season 34 for a fabulous final "viral vid" scene depicting a Waffle House faceoff between the pair, which George R.R. Martin watches instead of working on his next book.

Appears As Himself In: Season 34's "My Life as a Vlog"

Alan Moore

Comic book master Alan Moore has built up a reputation as one of the industry’s more prickly creatives, which makes it all the more incredible that The Simpsons not only landed him, but used him for an amusing Watchmen Babies gag two years before Zack Snyder’s Watchman film was released. The ep also featured cameos from another pair of brilliant comic creators in Art Spiegelman and Daniel Clowes.

Appears As Himself In: Season 19’s “Husbands and Knives”

The ever-energetic pianist Little Richard showed up on The Simpsons in all his gloriousness to present Edna with the Teacher of the Year Award. Though not before having to tell Homer to shut up for getting him confused with Prince (and Michael Jackson). 

Appears As Himself In: Season 14's "Special Edna"

Judy Blume

Four years before her famed book was adapted into the acclaimed film Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, bestselling author Judy Blume appeared as herself in a vision Lisa has that reignites her appreciation for America. If anyone has the power to inspire one of animation's smartest schoolgirls, it's Blume.

Appears As Herself In: Season 30's "D'Oh Canada"

Adam West

Years before he started voicing himself as the Mayor of Quahog in Family Guy, Adam West appeared as himself at the Springfield car show where Homer buys the snowplow that lends itself to the episode's title. The cameo is a fun one for Batman fans, with the camera angle slowly skewing diagonal in reference to the live-action series' villain shots. 

Appears As Himself In: Season 4's "Mr. Plow," and as Batman in Season 14's "Large Marge"

While most TV actresses and actors don’t make it more than a decade mark playing the same character, Jim Parson is one of the lauded actors who has, thanks to The Big Bang Theory ending in Season 12. His version of Sheldon Cooper lit up TV screens for ten seasons on CBS, but it apparently didn’t get easier playing the wordy genius over time. In fact, one interesting facet of playing the character had to do with how complicated it is to play a Ph.D and doctor of science with a genius level IQ on TV every week. 

While Sheldon was most known for his very short catchphrase “Bazinga” (which was eventually explained in Young Sheldon), a lot of the dialogue the character spurted out had to do with explaining complex science, tossing out lengthy diatribes and opinions on a variety of topics, or generally being long-winded in other ways. 

Think lines like, “Ah mimicry, I enjoy mimicry. I’ve been working on Admiral Akbar from Return of the Jedi. It’s a trap! You have to imagine me with a giant squid head. Or once when Penny asked, ‘What’s wrong with Geology?” Sheldon responded, “Let me put this in a way you’ll understand Penny. You remember how you explained to me that the Kardashians aren’t real celebrities? Well, geology is the Kardashians of science.”

So, you get the gist.  That little extra Sheldon-ness is difficult to turn into “magic” onscreen, and memorizing Sheldon Cooper’s dialogue wasn’t the easiest for Jim Parsons. I'd assume that's especially true given The Big Bang Theory cast rarely went off script. During an interview with his co-star Mayim Bialik, the two talked about his “magic notecards,” cue cards he apparently made up each week to help him memorize the complex dialogue – both of the “complicated science” and “Sheldon monologue” variety. He said: 

It sounds like a lot, but that's not even the full process. Jim Parsons went on to explain he'd do "one scene at a time" and sometimes he'd ultimately type out entire swathes of dialogue in order to make sure he had not just the words right but presumably the entire cadence of conversations. The whole thing sounds pretty intense. 

Working a TV gig is not exactly light work. Myriad stars have talked about the grind of filming in the past. A recent example was probably Jenna Ortega, who spoke about the crazy hours she worked for the Disney Channel as a child star. Network TV can run for 22 or more episodes a season, and as one of the most popular TV shows of all time, particularly from Season 4 through Season 12 The Big Bang Theory produced a whopping 24 episodes a season. I can't even imagine how much dialogue that meant the actor learned over time. 

The Big Bang Theory may have ended when Jim Parsons decided to leave the show, but he hasn't left Sheldon Cooper behind entirely. He still does voice work for Young Sheldon, which will also be ending with Season 7. At that point, I'd guess the actor will be just fine putting the notecards away, hopefully for good. 

For twelve seasons, the cast of The Big Bang Theory felt like a family of performers that welcomed the world into their chaotic universe on a weekly basis. That of course led to many stories of how performers like Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons all really got to know each other and form friendships. Now, even years after the CBS comedy ended, Parsons shared some sweet comments about Cuoco’s first pregnancy with boyfriend Tom Pelphrey, as he recently opened up about how he felt about this blessed event.

While speaking with ET at a red carpet event, the actor who brought Dr. Sheldon Cooper to life was asked about Kaley Cuoco becoming a mom early on in her relationship with Tom Pelphrey. Just as you’d expect, Jim Parsons went full sweetheart, and shared the following thoughts:

In contrast to the character that won him awards, acclaim, and pop culture stardom, Parsons’ reaction to the news is much warmer than what you’d expect from his Big Bang Theory character. Further highlighting the actor’s real life persona, Jim Parsons continues to show why it was a joy to work with him, and also why his decision to leave the show after twelve seasons was so shocking. 

For her part, Kaley Cuoco has been sharing updates throughout her journey into motherhood, revealing things like how she had to sideline her hobby of horseback riding. Cuoco did seem to tease her pregnancy on TikTok before anyone knew officially, so the voice of HBO Max’s Harley Quinn clearly knows how to tell a story. As such,  you can probably add storytelling to the list of skills that The Flight Attendant actor will be able to call upon as a parent.

As the former castmates of The Big Bang Theory continue to venture forth in life, hopefully they'll cross paths again over time. Jim Parsons’ glowing opinion of Kaley Cuoco’s future as a mother would certainly have us hoping to see more of them together, even though their professional futures seem to be following different paths.

Fans of both The Big Bang Theory and The Flight Attendant don't have too far to go if they want to enjoy either (or both) of those series! With an HBO Max subscription on your streaming device of choice, delivering laughter and/or mystery is as simple as clicking an app. Even Cuoco's Harley Quinn is available on the streamer. Just make sure you're careful with what you watch with any potential kids of your own in the room. In the case of Harley Quinn, animation definitely doesn't mean kid-friendly!

Ryan Murphy is one of the most notable television producers working today. He is the mastermind behind FOX's Glee, 9-1-1, and Scream Queens, and has produced a number of series for FX, including American Horror Story and American Crime Story, as well as Pose. In 2018, Murphy signed a $300 million deal with Netflix that resulted in a number of successful shows for the streamer, like The Politician, Ratched, and most recently Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and The Watcher. The latter two are a couple of the most popular series streaming right now.

There are several reasons for Murphy's success, including genre-bending entertainment, kooky characters, and outlandish storytelling that always intrigues. However, many cite his casts and frequent collaborators for tending to elevate the material. Here is a list of some of the most frequent and reliable collaborators who Murphy relies on for his fan-favorite television series.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson seems to find her way into almost every Ryan Murphy-produced endeavor. She has played a variety of characters on almost every season of American Horror Story, excluding Season 9, 1984. Her roles on the anthology series have ranged from a starring role as Ana Winters in Asylum and Roanoke, to a guest appearance in Murder House. 

She also starred in the hit Netflix show, Ratched, and American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson, for which she won an Emmy for playing lawyer Marcia Clark. In addition, Paulson played supporting roles in Feud: Bette and Joan, and American Crime Story: Impeachment, for which she received yet another Emmy nomination. The actress has collaborated with Murphy since the very beginning, when she played a guest role on Nip/Tuck. 

Evan Peters

Evan Peters is yet another darling of Murphy's. He has starred in nine seasons of American Horror Story, only excluding 1984 and New York City. Like Paulson, Peters' AHS roles have ranged from centerpiece characters like Tate from Murder House, to more experimental seasons like Cult and Apocalypse where the actor has portrayed multiple characters throughout. 

He also acted as a producer for the Double Feature season. In addition to AHS, Peters plays Stan Bowes, a member of the Trump Organization on the FX series, Pose.  Most notably, he plays the titular role in Netflix's Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. 

Darren Criss

Darren Criss has been a Murphy favorite since his Glee performance as Blaine, the a cappella-singing love interest to Chris Colfer's Kurt. He switched things up by following that with The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, where he played the leading role, serial killer Andrew Cunanan. His performance was critically acclaimed and he swept the awards' circuit. He went on to work with Murphy again in Hollywood. In addition, Criss guest starred in an episode of AHS: Hotel.

Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange is yet another favorite. The Oscar winning actress has participated in five seasons of American Horror Story, most notably, Murder House, Coven, Freak Show, and Asylum, and makes a guest appearance in Apocalypse. She also had a starring role in FX's Feud: Bette and Joan, where she played Joan Crawford. In addition, Lange plays the cunning grandmother to Zoey Deutch in The Politician. She is also set to star in another Murphy-led project about Marlene Dietrich for Netflix, so even if she's done with AHS, there is more Lange/Murphy to come. 

Emma Roberts

Nothing says Ryan Murphy like Emma Roberts, who is yet another American Horror Story alum. She participated in five seasons of the FX show, including Coven, Freak Show, Apocalypse, and 1984, while also making a single episode appearance in Cult. In addition, Roberts was the lead in the sorority horror show, Scream Queens, which ran for three seasons. 

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates is yet another Oscar winner who caught Murphy's eye. The Misery actress starred in five seasons of American Horror Story, including her iconic, bone-chilling character in Coven, for which she won an Emmy, and the fan-favorite evil concierge, Iris, in Hotel. Bates also continued her collaboration by playing Joan Blondell in Feud: Bette and Joan.

Dylan McDermott

Dylan McDermott is another familiar face for Murphy fans. The actor is one of the original stars of American Horror Story, and participated in five seasons, including AHS: Asylum. He is best known for his performance as the father of a problematic family in Murder House, which the season is centered around. He also plays a scandalous gas-station owner in the Murphy-produced Hollywood and makes an appearance in Netflix's The Politician.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is another favorite of the creator's. She is the star of FOX's 9-1-1, where she plays the badass Athena Grant. She has also made an appearance on the spin-off show, 9-1-1: Lone Star. In addition, Basset has been in a grand total of five seasons of American Horror Story. Most notably, in Coven, she portrays a fictionalized version Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. She reprised the role for Apocalypse. 

Finn Wittrock

Finn Wittrock has found his way into numerous Murphy projects, including five seasons of American Horror Story. He made his AHS debut in Freak Show, where his incredibly disturbed character earned him an Emmy nomination. He has gone on to appear in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and Netflix's Ratched. In addition, he plays a supporting role in the Murphy-directed television film, The Normal Heart. 

Patti LuPone

Nobody loves Broadway like Murphy, so it makes sense that Patti LuPone would be featured in many of his projects. LuPone participated in two seasons of American Horror Story, Coven and NYC, as well as more glamorous roles in Pose and Hollywood. The Broadway legend also makes a cameo appearance in Glee, where she plays herself.  

Matt Bomer

Who doesn't love Matt Bomer? Ryan Murphy sure does. The White Collar star has made a number of appearances in the showrunner's projects, including three seasons of American Horror Story. He had small roles in Freak Show and Stories, and most notably had a major role as Lady Gaga's lover in Hotel. Bomer has a major role in The Normal Heart and Boys in the Band, and makes brief appearances in The New Normal and Glee. He also got behind the camera, directing an episode of American Crime Story: Versace. 

Leslie Grossman

Leslie Grossman has worked with Ryan Murphy since the early days of Nip/Tuck. The actress had minor roles in his short-lived series, Popular, and The New Normal, and additionally starred in five seasons of American Horror Story, and has had leading roles in every season she's been in. She continues to be apart of the show, and was a definite stand out in the Season 11 cast.

Jim Parsons

When Jim Parsons left The Big Bang Theory, he made it a point to work with Ryan Murphy. The actor has had starring roles in films like The Boys in the Band and The Normal Heart, and plays the predatory manager to Rock Hudson in Netflix's Hollywood. The role was something very different for Parsons, but Murphy has a talent for drawing out performances from actors playing against type. 

Billie Lourd

Billie Lourd is another young actress Murphy has taken under his wing. The Star Wars actress started her collaboration with the producer in Scream Queens, where she played one of the killer sorority girls. She subsequently starred in six seasons of American Horror Story, playing a main role in most, including NYC, the most recent season. 

Connie Britton

Before The White Lotus, Connie Britton was a staple in the Ryan Murphy Universe. She is most known for her performance as Vivien Harmon in Murder House, a role she reprised in Apocalypse that landed her an Emmy nomination. She was also a fan favorite in 9-1-1, where she played a 911 operator. In addition, she played Faye Resnick, a friend of Nicole Brown Simpson in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. 

Lea Michele

Some would say Ryan Murphy made Lea Michele a star when he cast her as Rachel Berry in the musical teen comedy, Glee. She became one of the most recognizable stars from the show, and the role earned her both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. She also dawned a neck brace as an unconventional sorority girl in Scream Queens. 

Clearly Murphy has his favorites, and continues to work with the same reliable, talented actors in order to make his projects as binge-worthy as possible. Other notable collaborators include stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, Frances Conroy, Lily Rabe, Adina Porter, Cheyenne Jackson, Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Lynch, and John Stamos. For more information on where to check out some of these iconic projects from these iconic stars, make sure to check out our Ryan Murphy streaming guide, as well as the 2023 TV premiere dates.

Jim Parsons spent over a decade playing Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory before his surprising decision to exit the CBS show. During his time on the hit sitcom, he worked closely with series co-creator and EP Chuck Lorre for 12 seasons. With that, the prolific TV producer and Parsons seemed to forge a pretty firm working relationship as well as a personal one. Now, a few years after the end of the show, Parsons is dishing on a key creative takeaway from working with Lorre.

It's not too surprising that Jim Parsons observed his boss while he worked on The Big Bang Theory as well as other hit TV properties like Mom and Mike and Molly. The working relationship was so fruitful that Parsons even ended up producing the hit Big Bang spinoff Young Sheldon. Looking back at his experience with Lorre, the Hollywood actor told THR that he was quite impressed with the producer's ability to run some many productions in harmony:

It's interesting that Jim Parsons would equate the 70-year-old producer's prolific output to a good pop song, though that analogy is fitting when you think about it. It goes without saying that the man has the magic touch when it comes to the sitcom genre. He's worked within the industry since the 1980s when he served as a writer on shows like Charles in Charge and My Two Dads. But he truly mastered his comedy musicality through '90s and 2000s sitcoms like Grace Under Fire, Cybill, Dharma & Greg, and Two and a Half Men, which he can now watch again. In short, he's overseen hundreds of episodes of TV and provided a record number of vanity card gags. 

Jim Parsons has since found his own success with multiple project over the last few years. But the TV and film actor’s producing streak wasn’t planned, as he's explained. Parsons fell into producing accidentally during renegotiations of his Big Bang Theory contract. From that new deal spawned Parsons' own production company. The 49-year-old actor-producer was skittish, as he wasn’t familiar with the Hollywood machine. In short, didn’t want the “headache” that producing would bring. 

Unfortunately, his first film project, A Kid Like Jake, proved him right, and he said that the indie film wasn’t “an encouraging experience.” The Normal Heart star attributed the less-than-stellar experience to the small budget and the fact that working both in front of and behind the camera was “really challenging” for him. However, seems to be getting the hang of it now.

Along with Young Sheldon, Jim Parsons produced the Netflix series Special and Hollywood alongside another prolific producer, Ryan Murphy. Parsons produces the Fox sitcom Call Me Kate starring fellow Big Bang alum Mayim Bialik. In addition, he developed the recently released emotional rom-com Spoiler Alert (which is based on a true story). Parsons definitely has a lot to be thankful for career-wise, and one would think that he'll always be grateful to Chuck Lorre for setting an example.

You can check out our 2023 TV schedule to see when Call Me Kate and Young Sheldon are returning, and you can also stream past episodes of The Big Bang Theory using an HBO Max subscription.

Usually, I would advise any moviegoer to avoid knowing the ending of a film as best they can before they see it, but I think I would make an exception with the aptly titled Spoiler Alert. Based on a memoir by Michael Ausiello, the new romantic dramedy — now in theaters — tells the story of his relationship with his husband, Kit Cowan, who was diagnosed with a rare form of neuroendocrine cancer in 2014 and passed away the following year.

I believe that knowing about the tragic event that inspired the film from The Big Sick director Michael Showalter might make watching the heartbreaking story unfold easier to process. On top of that, the LGBTQ+ movie is also rich in heartwarming humor and boasts a wonderful ensemble of talented actors. The following is a look at who plays whom in the Spoiler Alert cast and where else you may recognize each of them from.

Jim Parsons (Michael Ausiello)

Playing entertainment journalist Michael Ausiello — the author of Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies, the 2017 book the film is based on — is Jim Parsons, who admitted he may not have earned the role if he had not had a chance meeting with the writer years earlier. The actor, who also produces the film, is best known for his four-time Emmy-winning stint in CBS’s The Big Bang Theory cast as Sheldon Cooper, who he would also reprise as the narrator of the prequel series, Young Sheldon.

Parsons has also received Emmy nominations for other LGBTQ+-themed stories inspired by true events — namely the HBO original miniseries, The Normal Heart, for his performance as Tommy Boatwright, the Netflix original comedy, Special, as an executive producer, and the platform’s Ryan Murphy-created limited series period drama, Hollywood, for his performance as Henry Willson. Some of the actor’s most notable big-screen credits include 2004’s Garden State, Dreamworks’ animated sci-fi adventure, Home, from 2015, and 2016’s Oscar-nominated historical drama, Hidden Figures.

Ben Aldridge (Kit Cowan)

As Michael Ausiello’s late husband, photographer Kit Cowan, we have Ben Aldridge, who made his debut in the British TV movie Compulsion in 2008, leading to roles in the likes of the 2010 drama, Toast, BBC’s series adaptation of Flora Thompson’s Lark Rise to Candleford for a recurring spot, or a part in 2013’s The Railway Man opposite Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman. That same year, he played Luke in the History Channel hit miniseries, The Bible and, by then, he had already launched his career in video game voice acting with 2012’s The Secret World.

After joining the cast of BBC’s modern war drama, Our Girl, the English actor started appearing on Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Emmy-winning dramedy Fleabag in the recurring role of “Arsehole Guy.” In 2018, Aldridge starred in the Netflix original sci-fi movie The Titan, was cast on the hit DC prequel TV show, Pennyworth, as Batman’s father, Thomas Wayne, and can be seen next in M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming thriller, Knock at the Cabin.

Sally Field (Marilyn Cowan) 

Playing Kit Cowan’s mother, Marilyn, is Sally Field, who has portrayed real life people on screen before — including the title character of Sybil (a 1976 miniseries that earned her an Emmy), the title role of 1979’s Norma Rae (which earned her her first Academy Award), and Mary Todd Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln (which earned her a third Oscar nomination) in 2012. However, joining the Spoiler Alert cast was a more personal matter for her, being the mother of a gay man, even though she believes it is her job as an actor to keep her own life experiences separate from her work.

The star of The Flying Nun also received Emmys for her recurring role in the ER cast and her starring role on ABC’s Brothers and Sisters, and learned that the Academy “really, really like” her when she won her second Oscar for 1984’s Places in the Heart. Field’s other most notable cinematic credits make up a long list, but some of the most iconic include the Smokey and the Bandit movies, Mrs. Doubtfire, Forrest Gump, Steel Magnolias, and The Amazing Spider-Man movies.

Bill Irwin (Kit’s Father) 

As Kit Cowan’s father and Marilyn’s husband, we have veteran stage actor Bill Irwin, who made his feature film debut in Robert Altman’s live-action Popeye movie in 1980 and went on to star in the classic baseball movie Eight Men Out, the hilarious action movie parody Hot Shots!, and Bobby McFerrin’s music video for “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” alongside Robin Williams. Younger audiences may better recognize him, however, as Lou Lou Who from one of the best Dr. Seuss movies, Ron Howard’s live-action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or as Mr. Noodle from the “Elmo’s World” segment of Sesame Street.

Irwin later starred alongside Denzel Washington in one of two movies directed by Jonathan Demme (2004’s The Manchurian Candidate and Rachel Getting Married from 2008), 2006’s M. Night Shyamalan-directed thriller Lady in the Water, and Julie Taymor’s Beatles-inspired musical, Across the Universe, from 2007. Some of his more recent titles include Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, FX’s Marvel-inspired thriller, Legion, as Cary Loudermilk, and Hulu’s miniseries about Elizabeth Holmes, The Dropout. 

Jeffery Self (No Character Name Provided)

Also featured in the Spoiler Alert cast is Jeffery Self, who broke out as an internet sensation alongside Cole Ecola before making his credited acting debut as Liz Lemon’s cousin on 30 Rock in 2010. He later had a recurring role on the CW’s 90210 revival, scored guest spots on more hit dramas like BBC’s Torchwood and Desperate Housewives, and went on to star on and write for Funny or Die’s Gay of Thrones.

In 2015, he played the lead of the horror-comedy, You’re Killing Me, and guest starred on the Hulu sitcom Difficult People opposite Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner and, the year after that, joined the Search Party cast as Elliott’s off-and-on boyfriend, Marc. Self has starred in a lot more movies lately, including The High Note, the Covid-era rom-com 7 Days, and the fantasy comedy Mack & Rita from 2022.

Michael Ausiello could have not asked for a better ensemble to bring his story to life than the Spoiler Alert cast. See for yourself by checking out the romantic dramedy in theaters now.

Although it’s been three years since The Big Bang Theory ended, the show is very much still alive, and not just in the form of streaming. There is now an oral history from Jessica Radloff titled The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit, and the book shares behind-the-scenes secrets of the CBS sitcom. Now, after some comments from his former co-stars in the book, Jim Parsons reflects on making them feel bad with his decision to leave the series.

Jim Parsons has been open before about deciding when it was time to leave The Big Bang Theory, and the decision ultimately led to the end of the beloved series. In the oral history, Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki recounted what it was like when they found out, as they had thought that the meeting would be about renegotiating another season and were shocked when they found out it wasn’t.

In a new interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, Parsons reflected on his “bumpy” exit from The Big Bang Theory and how he never wanted to make someone angry or feel bad. He said:

Even a show as successful as The Big Bang Theory was bound to come to a close at some point, so perhaps it's not too shocking in hindsight that the departure of one star led to the end. Frankly, it wouldn’t have been the same show if it continued on without everyone, especially when Parsons' Sheldon Cooper had become so central to the comedy. Still, as he went on to share, he didn't know that his decision would affect his co-stars by ending the show:

In 2021, Kaley Cuoco revealed how she really felt about Jim Parsons deciding to leave The Big Bang Theory. She admitted that while she was shocked at the news since she and Johnny Galecki were both hoping for a 13th season, she and the rest of the team (including creator Chuck Lorre) had agreed that they all came on together, and they all would leave together. Parsons' decision to leave meant that ending was likely inevitable. 

Since The Big Bang Theory’s end, cast members have found ways to work together again. Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch reunited on Celebrity Jeopardy! while Jim Parsons and Bialik work together on Call Me Kat. Meanwhile, much of the cast have supported one another, whether it’d be for different projects or birthdays. As for whether there will be a TBBT reunion special in the future, it may be too early to tell, but anything is possible.

The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series is out now.

The term “based on a true story” is thrown around in movies, but Michael Showalter’s new drama Spoiler Alert definitely earns it. The movie is a film adaptation of Michael Ausiello’s acclaimed memoir of the same name, telling the story of his late husband’s diagnosis with terminal cancer and their final months together. Jim Parsons plays the journalist/author, while also serving as a producer on the moving project. And Parsons recently explained to CinemaBlend how the emotional true story inspired him to make the book into a movie.

Jim Parsons has been heavily involved with Spoiler Alert being adapted into a movie, working closely with Michael Ausiello in the process. As you can see in the video above, I had the privilege of speaking with the cast and Ausiello himself ahead of the movie’s release in theaters this weekend. I was particularly moved by seeing the way Michael was able to be present in the hospital for his late husband Kit. After all, this is is a privilege that countless queer couples haven’t been given over the years. I asked Parsons about bringing this to life on screen, where he shared:

Throughout the 111-minute runtime of Spoiler Alert we watch as the characters Michael (Parsons) and Kit (Ben Aldridge) lean on each other throughout the various heartbreaks that come with Kit’s cancer diagnosis. And while there are unimaginable struggles for the pair, the access to hospital visitation was never one of them. Instead there’s much-needed love and support, which is really what anyone deserves when in need of serious medical care.

Jim Parsons’ comments help to peel back the curtain on the process of making Spoiler Alert into a movie, and why he was so impacted by Michael Ausiello’s original memoir. The moving true story came to the Big Bang Theory alum coincidentally, when he was asked to host a Q&A for Ausiello. And he’d end up being one of the main champions of the book’s adaptation into film, wearing a variety of hats in the process. But given just how truly touching the true story is, it’s not hard to understand why.

Spoiler Alert obviously stars Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge as Michael Ausiello and Kit Cowan respectively. The cast also includes the great Sally Field (who offers another outstanding performance), as well as Bill Irwin, Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski, and Search Party actor Jeffrey Self– all of whom bring a ton of heart to their roles.

Spoiler Alert is in select theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater in the New Year. Hopefully Michael Showalter’s powerful movie gets in more theaters soon, or makes its way to streaming.

There’s been a ton of conversation over the past few years about the power of representation, with the TV and film industry taking major steps forward. A number of exciting projects featuring queer characters have been released throughout this year, and that will continue with Michael Showalter’s drama Spoiler Alert, which is based off Michael Ausiello’s memoir of the same name. The film depicts the real-life story of Ausiellio caring for his late husband Kit Cowan during his final months battling terminal cancer. The cast includes the great Sally Field as Kit’s mother, and she recently explained why she had to push her own feelings as an LGBTQ+ ally aside while filming Spoiler Alert.

Much like Michael Ausiello’s memoir Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies, the upcoming movie adaptation starring Jim Parsons is a deeply touching story that is sure to touch the hearts of many. I had the privilege of speaking with the cast and Ausiello himself about working on bringing this true story to life. As you can see in the video above, I asked the iconic Sally Field about her process of bringing her role to life. Specifically, if she felt the importance of playing a mother who is wholly accepting of her queer son after he came out. As she told me:

That makes a great deal of sense. The primary job of an actor is to disappear into their role and become a different person. And as such, Sally Field had to keep her feelings as a queer ally to the side when working on Spoiler Alert. Although she clearly has very strong emotions about what it means to parent a LGBTQ+ child, partly thanks to her own personal experience. 

As Sally Field mentioned, she’s the mother of a queer child. Her youngest son Sam is gay, and the Mrs. Doubfire actress has been a vocal supporter of the queer community. She joins the ranks of other celebs like Jamie Lee Curtis who have publicly supported their LGBTQ+ child, and served as a possible example to others in the process. Although as Field mentions, she tried not to use her own personal experience when filming the Spoiler Alert movie.

Later in our same conversation, Sally Field explained further how she collaborated with her cast and crew during Spoiler Alert’s principal photography. In particular the scene where Ben Aldridge’s Kit unexpectedly comes out to his parents as gay. As she explained,

Given Sally Field’s accomplished career on the screen and stage, she’s definitely got an important perspective when it comes to her scenes. Spoiler Alert is no exception in this regard, with Field able to flex both her comedic and dramatic muscles throughout its runtime. And through her performance she’s able to help make the world of the movie feel truly authentic.

Spoiler Alert will arrive in theaters on December 2nd. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theaters in the New Year. And as someone who has seen this movie I've got some advice: bring your tissues. 

Plenty of movies claim to be based on a true story, with some a bit closet to reality than others. Michael Showalter’s new drama Spoiler Alert aims to be as authentic as possible, as it’s an adaptation of the memoir of the same name by Michael Ausiello. In both the book and movie we follow an 11-month period where his late partner Kit Cowan was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and their final times together as a couple. Jim Parsons plays Michael in the movie, in addition to serving as a producer. And the Big Bang Theory alum revealed to CinemaBlend that he owed his role(s) in Spoiler Alert thanks to a coincidental meeting with Ausiello himself.

Michael Ausiello released Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies back in 2017, and received acclaim for its emotional, truthful depiction of family and loss. I had a privilege of speaking with the cast and Ausiello himself ahead of the movie adaptation’s release, where I asked Jim Parson about his collaborative relationship with the author/journalist. As you can see in the video above, he revealed how his involvement in the Spoiler Alert movie seemingly came by chance, telling me:

How cool is that? While they might not have thought much of it at the time, Jim Parsons getting involved in a Spoiler Alert Q&A opened up the door to him bringing the story to life on the big screen. Not only did he end up playing Michael Ausiello, but he worked closely with him as a producer on the upcoming drama. Sometimes you’re really in the right place at the right time.

Later in our same conversation, Jim Parsons shared his thoughts about what it was like working with Michael Ausiello on the Spoiler Alert movie. Obviously the movie is something that’s got deep real-life emotions attached to it, and the cast is playing people who are still alive and likely grappling with the complicated emotions that accompany grief. The Emmy-winning actor told me:

As you can see in the video above, many cast members from Spoiler Alert leaned on Michael Ausiello throughout the movie’s filming process. Chief among them is actor Ben Aldrige, who plays his late husband Kit. Ausiello specifically helped him keep track of his character’s physical state, and how much pain he was in during various points of the movie’s runtime. 

Aside from Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge, there’s a number of familiar faces in the cast of Spoiler Alert, who help adapt this story for the screen. The great Sally Field plays Kit’s mother, while stage and film actor Bill Irwin plays his father. Other cast members include Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski, The Book of Mormon actress Nikki M. James, and actor/comedian Jeffrey Self (Search Party, The High Note). 

Spoiler Alert will arrive in select theaters on December 2nd, before hitting more screens on December 9th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your final trips to the movies before the New Year.

Although The Big Bang Theory only ended a few years ago, we're now 15 years removed from the pilot's first airing on CBS, and rarely discussed details are still somehow being revealed to this day. In this instance, a new book about the sitcom's history shined a light on a scene from the pilot about Sheldon's money-making attempts being subsequently cut from future airings, and Jim Parsons shared his response to co-creator Chuck Lorre's choice.

In the original pilot, Sheldon and Leonard go to a high IQ sperm bank in the hopes of donating their specimen to create intelligent offspring, but more importantly to earn some quick money. While filling out the forms, the two slowly change their minds and leave, never to really be talked about again. The new oral history The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series by Jessica Radloff (via TVLine) tapped into all kinds of details about the episode, including that creator Chuck Lorre made sure that the scene was eventually cut out of the syndicated version of the pilot, noting that the show didn’t truly begin until Leonard and Sheldon awkwardly said hi to Penny while she was unpacking her boxes.

Although Jim Parsons defended the scene in a vacuum for the time-frame, he does agree with Chuck Lorre's reasoning overall, admitting that the episode works much better without it:

For a first episode, the scene is understandable enough for its nerdily risqué nature, and probably isn't as cringey as it could have been, but it's likely no one ever directly mourned its absence from TV reruns. Except perhaps maybe high IQ sperm bank employees who finally felt seen. The fact that the establishment and their potential offspring never came up again made it easier to snip out, I'm sure. 

The Big Bang Theory had some questionable storylines, but that sperm bank one is definitely at the top, considering how Sheldon's relationship with all things sexual expanded over time. Perhaps if it had been pitched later in the series, it would have been crafted in a way that paid off more with whatever storylines were happening at the time. Maybe if there’s a Big Bang Theory reunion or reboot in the future, we can find out what happened to those deposits. 

Meanwhile, the oral history book also revealed that Kaley Cuoco was up against three others for the role of Penny, who was then a somewhat different character named Katie. Marisa Tomei, Tara Reid, and Elizabeth Berkley were all in the running to play Sheldon and Leonard’s neighbor, but obviously, Cuoco ended up winning the role, and I can’t imagine it going to anyone else.

Even though the scene is cut from any future airings, it is still part of the first episode that's available to stream with an HBO Max subscription, so you can watch it there to make your own case and see if it was worth cutting or not. And then check out the best shows to stream on HBO Max once you’ve finished your hundredth binge of The Big Bang Theory.

When it comes to sitcom romances, there have been few delightfully nerdier couplings than The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler, whose romantic foibles culminated in matrimonial bliss, as officiated by Star Wars legend Mark Hamill. Such a positive fate was not immediately foreseen when Mayim Bialik was brought into the show, however, and for a short while, it seemed as if Amy wasn’t destined for virginity-taking. But star Jim Parsons sounds like he would never have let the creative team lose the character, and shared his thoughts on why he thinks adding Amy (and Bernadette) was one of the smartest decisions the writers ever made.

Hitting stores two and a half years after the CBS sitcom’s series finale, Glamour editor Jessica Radloff’s new behind-the-scenes oral history The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series delves into all the anecdotes and background info from the ever-popular comedy’s twelves years on the air. In an excerpt from the book focused on Amy’s future after the Season 3 finale (via EW), Mayim Bialik claimed she thought she wasn’t due for the long haul, given the one-episode-at-a-time booking structure, though former showrunner Steve Molaro said co-creator Chuck Lorre argued for keeping Bialik despite the “female Sheldon” comparison factors.

And there was apparently one point in the fourth season where Parsons decided he would step up to the plate when it came to keeping Mayim Bialik’s quirky physicist around. In his words:

Now, it’s not clear exactly how hardcore Jim Parsons had to get by way of convincing the show’s creative team to keep Bialik around, but I like to picture him in ‘30s Hollywood gangster mode, walking around the offices and making casual threats. It almost definitely didn’t need to come to that, but it’s awesome to know that the Big Bang star was dedicated to keeping his newest co-star around. Which in some ways would foreshadow Parsons bringing the actress into the fold when putting together the post-BBT comedy Call Me Kat.

The future Hollywood star went on to say why he thought The Big Bang Theory adding Amy and Bernadette was so smart, specifically for the timing of it all. In his words:

All too often, TV shows introduce haphazard new ideas at times when the norm has become stale, but BBT brought in Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch at a time when things were already rolling along smoothly, which just made everything gel together that much better. 

For what it's worth, Bialik says while she wasn't confident she would be going forward with the show beyond the early days of Season 4, it was more a product of her own thought patterns, as opposed to anyone on the show making her feel unwelcome. Here's how she put it:

I can't even imagine what The Big Bang Theory Season 10 would have looked like without Amy around. Or what it would be like to watch Young Sheldon without knowing that he ends up with someone just as spectrum-aligned. Thankfully, such imagining is entirely unnecessary.

The Big Bang Theory is available to stream with an HBO Max subscription, while Jessica Radloff’s new book is in stores everywhere October 11. Head to our 2022 TV premiere schedule to see what new and returning shows are on the way.

It’s June, which means that it’s Pride Month, so we should celebrate in the best ways and watch movies with some iconic queer roles that deserve all the praise in the world, from classics like Brokeback Mountain to some newer films like Love, Simon. 

But, as I watched many of these, I realized that there are now several queer actors who would play the role just as well, if not better than some of their predecessors. Here are eight LGBTQ+ actors who I believe would be great picks if these movies ever got a remake.

Billy Porter - Frank N’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show

I mean, the fits, the style, the sass - Billy Porter would be absolutely perfect as Frank N. Furter if the iconic musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was ever remade. While I do love Tim Curry in the original role, as he’s always had a very spirited acting style and certainly knows how to step into character, I just know that Billy Porter would be fantastic in a part like this. 

Look at Porter on shows such as Pose, where they regularly show off their dance moves and singing ability. Or even them in Cinderella - while they weren’t in the Amazon original movie for very long, there’s no denying that they stole the show with that dress and their awesome song. Porter would absolutely embody this role and become the best Frank N. Furter possible, I’m sure of it. 

Matt Bomer - Jack Twist - Brokeback Mountain 

Brokeback Mountain was a revolutionary film for the movie industry and was a huge stepping stone for queer cinema everywhere. Without movies like Brokeback Mountain, movies such as Love, Simon or even the latest Netflix hit, Heartstopper, would not be around now. 

But, that doesn’t change the fact that the two lead actors in the film weren’t in the LGBTQ+ community themselves. That’s not to say that they weren’t amazing in their roles, as both gave very compelling performances, but I know that if it were to be redone now there are several great queer actors who could portray the cowboys, and in this particular instance, I’m going to focus on Matt Bomer, who would play the heck out of Jack Twist, who was originally played by Jake Gyllenhaal. 

Again, Gyllenhaal is great, and he’s been in so many amazing films, but Bomer has surprised me with his ability as a dramatic actor in the FX drama, American Horror Story, or even the HBO original film, The Normal Heart. He would play a great Jack Twist, for sure. 

Joe Locke - Simon - Love, Simon

Love, Simon was another one of those movies that truly was a stepping stone in queer cinema for modern day films because it was so popular when it released and displayed a very wholesome, LGBTQ+ love story that anyone could enjoy. The film was so beloved that it received its own Hulu original spinoff, Love, Victor, a year later. 

Nick Robinson, who starred as Simon in the film, is not a part of the LGBTQ+ community, but certainly gave a great performance and created a great career from it. However, if the movie was redone now, I think that Heartstopper breakout, Joe Locke, would be absolutely perfect as Simon, as he’s already had that practice as a kid who falls in love with someone at school, and has that charming charisma to boot.  

Laverne Cox - Celie - The Color Purple 

I love Laverne Cox. I also love Whoopi Goldberg. Which is why I think Cox would be perfect to play Celie from The Color Purple if there ever was a remake. 

Whoopi Goldberg is, honestly, irreplaceable as Celie. Her performance was fantastic, and she won an Academy Award for it. There’s no denying that she is perfect as the character. But, we’re taking a look at iconic queer roles and seeing who could play them just as well today, and I do think Laverne Cox has what it takes. 

I’ve watched Cox ever since she first appeared in the Orange is the New Black cast as Sophia Burset, a transgender woman in a minimum-security prison, and God, she has made me cry so many times with her acting. While I love her in comedic roles, like her part in the Inventing Anna cast, there is something about her dramatic takes that just get me, and I have a feeling that she would be an amazing choice for a modern-day Celie.  

Jim Parsons - George Falconer - A Single Man

A Single Man was another great romantic drama with a fantastic cast, lead by Colin Firth, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of George Falconer. And while his role was well done and he truly gave a great performance, I know that there’s a gay actor who could have done just as well - and in my mind, I think that’s Jim Parsons. 

While many know him as comedic, smart, and awkward Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory cast, Parsons has proven time and time again how much of a fantastic dramatic actor he is, from parts in Hidden Figures, to the Netflix film, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, or even his starring performance in The Normal Heart. If he wanted a truly dramatic, romantic role, A Single Man would be the best option for him. 

Kiersey Clemons - Megan Bloomfield - But I’m A Cheerleader

Another teen comedy classic. Natasha Lyonne starred as Megan Bloomfield in But I’m A Cheerleader, a story about a teenager who learns that she likes woman more than men, and is sent to a conversion therapy camp. The film is so funny in so many ways, and if it were to be made today, I think Kiersey Clemons would be a good pick for the lead role. 

Kiersey Clemons, who identifies as queer, has already shown her talent in dramatic roles in films like Dope and Hearts Beat Loud, but she’s also shown her comedic acting skills in the movie Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. I think a remake of But I’m A Cheerleader would be the perfect chance for her to combine both of those comedic and dramatic skills and really show her talent off, because she can be extremely funny, just like Lyonne. 

Elliot Page - Brandon Teena - Boys Don’t Cry

Boys Don’t Cry was a biographical film about a real-life trans man, Brandon Teena, who was trying to live his life in Nebraska but falls victim to a hate crime. In the original film, Hilary Swank, a cis woman, portrayed Brandon, and while she was great in the part and won an Academy Award for Best Actress, I do think that this role should go to an amazing trans actor, and I think Elliot Page would be the perfect choice. 

Elliot Page has already shown off his acting ability in many other critically acclaimed films, such as Juno, Inception, and many others, and considering he recently went public with his very personal transition and how much more content he feels in his own body now, I think that playing a role like Brandon in Boys Don’t Cry would be the best role for him to take. 

Jodie Foster - Carol - Carol

Last but not least, we have Carol in the 2015 film, Carol, originally played by Cate Blanchett, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. While Blanchett was amazing in as the character, as she is in many of her film roles, there could have been a more appropriate pick for a lesbian love story between an older woman and a young female photographer.

You know who would have played the role perfectly? Jodie Foster, an icon of the '90s. An Academy-Award winning actress who is also a part of the LGBTQ+ community, she would have embodied the role of Carol to perfection and truly shown some incredible talent to boot, at least as much as Cate Blanchett did. 

There are so many incredibly iconic LGBTQ+ rolls out there that I know would be fantastic today as well, and these are just some of my picks for who I think would be just as great. And if you haven’t had the chance to see all these films, be sure to check them out soon. 

When it comes to proper representation within the LGBTQ+ world, it can be hard to find those characters that truly stand out and are accurate portrayals. What’s even better is when you find an actor behind the character who is also a part of that community and shines in that role. That’s what we aim to talk about today.

There are so many actors we could point to in both movies and TV, from Owen Thiele in Adults, to some amazing films of the last few years, such as All of Us Are Strangers, Bombshell, and more. Let’s talk about some incredible performances of LGBTQ+ characters from the LGBTQ+ community in honor of Pride Month.

All Of Us Strangers – Andrew Scott As Adam

All Of Us Are Strangers released in late 2023 to rave reviews and while I personally don’t think it got nearly as much hype as it should have, the one thing I will comment on is Andrew Scott. While the LGBTQ+ actor has taken on roles such as this before, there’s just something so raw and real about his portrayal of Adam.

The story follows a lonely screenwriter who begins a romance with his mysterious neighbor while also experiencing a strange instance where he is able to see his parents again – the movie itself certainly feels like there’s a small layer of fantasy, but the themes itself make this film that much better, including the lovely portrayal from Scott, who has talked about beinga part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Love, Simon - Keiynan Lonsdale As Bram Greenfeld

Released in 2018, Love, Simon is a story about a closeted gay young adult who struggles to balance his life amongst the blackmailer that is threatening to out him at school – while also trying to identify the anonymous classmate that he has fallen in love with. The film became so popular that a Hulu spinoff, titled Love, Victor, premiered not that long after, but was canceled after Season 3

In Love, Simon, Keiynan Lonsdale portrays Bram Greenfeld, one of Simon’s classmates and an openly gay student, and Keiynan himself came out in 2017. The film made strides for having a gay protagonist, becoming one of the first mainstream film to showcase a gay teen romance.

Adults – Owen Theile As Anton

Hailing from FX on Hulu, Adults is a series about a group of twenty-somethings literally just trying to survive daily life in New York City and going through the motions of becoming a functioning adult. One character in it that I absolutely love is Anton, who is played by the fabulous Owen Theile.

While Thiele has appeared in various shows beforehand, 2025 has really shown just how talented he is with both lead roles in Adults and Overcompensating (but I kind of like Adults just a smidge more). Anton is a hilarious character, and Owen Thiele rocks it. Thiele is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and has even called for action to demand equal rights by donating to several charities (via Instagram).

Rustin – Colman Domingo As Bayard Rustin 

Rustin itself was more of an under-the-radar critical darling of 2023, as it was one of CinemaBlend’s best movies of 2023, but you want to know what wasn’t? Colman Domingo’s performance as Bayard Rustin. It follows the story of the real-life civil rights activist who worked with MLK Jr. to organize the iconic 1963 March on Washington for equal rights in America.

Colman Domingo shines in his portrayal of Bayard Rustin, and his performance was so critically acclaimed that he earned an Academy Award nomination. Colman Domingo has become a much bigger name the last few years with many of the roles he had portrayed, and he even spoke in an interview with Advocate in 2021 that he hopes he’s breaking new ground for young Black gay men in Hollywood:

Bombshell - Kate McKinnon As Jess Carr

Moving into the drama genre, we take a look at Kate McKinnon in Bombshell. You might recognize her name from her amazing performances on the classic late night television show Saturday Night Live, which she left in 2022, or maybe even from comedy movies such as the 2016 Ghostbusters or Office Christmas Party. But Kate McKinnon has an amazing range as an actress, and she showed that off when playing Jess Carr as part of the Bombshell cast.

While her character was fictional (set within a film that was based on true events), her role as the Fox News employee Jess Carr was impactful, and showed what it might be like for a closeted lesbian who works in a primarily conservative news space.

Yellowjackets – Liv Hewson as Vanessa Palmer

While Liv Hewson has been around in the TV world for a while, I absolutely love them as teenage Vanessa Palmer in the hit Showtime series, Yellowjackets. Vanessa is a character that had both stakes in the flashbacks of the world as well as modern-day, and her story of resilience is one that I truly love.

Hewson in real life identifies as non-binary, and uses they/them pronouns, according to Teen Vogue. The actor says that they have “never been happier” since they received gender-affirming surgery:

The Normal Heart - Jim Parsons As Tommy Boatwright

Since starring as Shelden Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons continues to take on new and exciting roles in both film and television. Everyone knows who he is and how often he has spoken about his sexuality. That’s why his portrayal of Tommy Boatwright in The Normal Heart felt even more compelling than any other role he has done, at least in my opinion.

The Normal Heart, based on the Larry Kramer 1985 play of the same name, depicts the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City during the early eighties, and Parsons plays a gay activist fighting to address the issue. Parsons is a talented actor, so it’s no surprise that he absolutely rocked this role. The film gives interesting insights into what happened back in the eighties and the struggles that activists had to face every single day.

Everything Everywhere All At Once – Stephanie Hsu As Joy Wang

I think out of all the movies that released in 2022, Everything Everywhere All At Once was the one that touched fans’ hearts the most, even if some of it was just straight-up weird. However, the film tells a beautiful story of love, family, and acceptance of one's faults, mainly led by two fantastic performances from both Michelle Yeoh and Stephanie Hsu.

Hsu portrayed Joy Wang, the daughter of Evelyn Quan Wang and one of the primary characters of the movie. Joy has a girlfriend in the movie, but Hsu also identifies as queer in real-life, according to The Eagle Online.

Harlem – Jerrie Johnson as Tye Reynolds

Harlem is a great TV show, one I would recommend to anyone, and a great character in it is Tye Reynolds, whose stories in the show are always some of the best. Reynolds is a hilarious character, but the actor behind the screen is even better.

Jerrie Johnson is a part of the LGBTQ+ community and got engaged to their girlfriend, and their wedding dresses were even featured in the New York Times (via Instagram) in April 2025!

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Tituss Burgess As Titus Andromedon 

Few have truly made me laugh out loud as Titus Andromedon on the classic Netflix series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. This show, which primarily followed a young woman learning to adapt to normal every-day life after spending more than a decade locked below ground by a reverend, has always brought the laughs and provided some hilarious inside jokes, usually because of Titus Andromedon. He’s sassy, talented, and the best gay friend that we all need in our lives that will be blunt with you no matter what.

Tituss Burgess has been active in television for some time, including guest spots on 30 Rock, performing in musicals like Annie, and more, but nothing has quite come close to the hilarious nature of Titus Andromedon and the impact he made on television as a whole. Truly, there is no one like him.

I Saw The TV Glow – Justice Smith As Owen

I Saw The TV Glow released in 2024 by A24, and while it certainly wasn’t a huge hit at the box office, it’s slowly picking up steam on the internet, mainly due to Justice Smith’s amazing role of Owen. The film tells the story of two friends whose lives begin to spiral when their favorite show is cancelled – because honestly, same.

Jokes aside, Smith’s performance of Owen is gutting and cuts straight to the core, without spoiling anything, and if you want an excellent psychological horror-drama, this is the film for you. Justice Smith came out in 2020 as a queer person, and ever since then he’s advocated for the support of Black queer and trans lives.

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire - Adele Haenel As Heloise

Released in 2019, Portrait of a Lady on Fire follows Adele Haenel portrayed Heloise, a young 19th-century lesbian who fiercely opposes the arranged marriage set up for her, but later has a romance with a woman who was commissioned to paint her wedding portrait.

Adele Haenel publicly came out back in 2014 when she won a Cesar Award, and has since been very open about who she is. The film portrays what it’s like to have that kind of romance that changes you for the rest of your life, and that it doesn’t matter what gender that you are – love is love, and when you meet that one person that can change you, it sticks with you until the end.

Bodies, Bodies, Bodies – Amandla Stenberg As Sophie

Hands down, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is one of the best horror movies from A24, and tells a hilariously horrific story of a group of young adults who are staying in a mansion and play a murder-game that actually turns real, and soon it’s a whodunit as they try and stay alive. Amandla Stenberg plays Sophie, the main character, and while her queerness isn’t the main plotline of the film, it certainly plays an important role.

In 2016, Amandla Stenberg came out as bisexual, but she also said that “pansexual” was a good term to describe her as well, according to Elle. The actress has appeared in a variety of roles since then, but personally, I don’t think any of them have come as close as the craziness that is Bodies, Bodies, Bodies.

Looking - Jonathan Groff As Patrick Murray

Jonathon Groff has an impressive resume for plenty of people to admire. From voicing Kristoff as part of the Frozen and Frozen II cast to portraying the king in Hamilton, he’s been around the block plenty of times, showing off his amazing acting and singing skills. But one show that you may or may not remember him from was in the HBO series Looking, where he portrayed Patrick Murray.

The series follows the story of three gay men living in San Francisco, and their lives and friendships. The series went on for two seasons, which were followed by a feature-length film in 2016. Looking may have only lasted for a short amount of time, but its impact on television is felt all the same. In an interview with the New York Times, Groff talked about the significance of the show. When asked how he'd feel if he were able to watch the show as a teenager, he said:

Bottoms – Ayo Edebiri As Josie 

Bottoms was the queer comedy of 2023 in my eyes. The movie tells the story of two teenagers in high school who start a female-only fight club in order to have sex with cheerleaders. Yes, this sounds exactly like a 2000s teen comedy and yes, it’s just as funny as you can expect it to be, especially with two leads like Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri as part of the Bottoms cast.

While Ayo Edibiri’s best roles include plenty of other shows and movies, like The Bear or Big Mouth, I freaking love her in Bottoms as Josie because she perfectly exemplifies what it’s like to be a young LGBTQ+ person in high school who is just trying to survive and be somehow cool. Even Ayo Edebiri said in an interview with Refinery 29 in September 2023 that it’s “radical” she gets to be a young Black queer person and do the crazy stuff she’s done in a movie in Hollywood nowadays.

Glee - Chris Colfer As Kurt Hummel

Glee, when it released, was an iconic show, becoming a huge hit for Fox. The series was all about misfits coming together in a high school glee club in order to find companionship when it felt there was no one there for them, and one of those characters that stuck around from the very first season was Kurt Hummel, a closeted gay student (at first) at William McKinley High School.

Chris Colfer played the character, and over time, Kurt became more sure of himself not only as a gay man but as a voice for his community, and showing that just because someone might not like your sparkle, that doesn’t mean you need to dim it for anyone else. His voice was always unique and made for some amazing covers. The Glee cast was so talented in so many ways, but Colfer stood out amongst the rest.

The Last Of Us – Bella Ramsey As Ellie

As someone who grew up playing The Last of Us, Ellie was a bit of a gay icon for me. She was a lead character (in a HUGE video game) that was openly lesbian and as someone who was struggling with her own bisexuality at the time, it was freaking fantastic to see the representation on screen. That’s why when I discovered that the young person also playing Ellie, Bella Ramsey, was non-binary in real-life, I knew it would be a perfect fit.

I just knew they would understand how Ellie was portrayed, and my favorite video game character suddenly turned into my favorite TV character. Ramsey is known for their portrayal of Lyanna Mormont as well as in the Game of Thrones cast, but her role in The Last of Us Season 2 has been a game-changer.

Hearts Beat Loud - Kiersey Clemons As Sam Fisher

Kiersey Clemons has had some awesome roles in the past, from her breakout role as a teen lesbian in the 2015 comedy-drama Dope to her role in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, or even her more recent role in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. However, one of her best roles from the films I have seen has to be Hearts Beat Loud, the musical comedy, where she stars as Sam Fisher.

Hearts Beat Loud is all about Sam Fisher and her father, played by Nick Offerman, who is a record store owner and tries to convince her to start a band with him after a song they recorded went viral. The story not only has some great music but captures what it’s like as a young gay teenager to try and develop a true relationship with their family when some of them don’t quite understand what you’re going through. It’s definitely one of the underrated picks on this list and deserves so much more praise.

Jennifer’s Body - Megan Fox As Jennifer

In Jennifer’s Body, the titular character, characterized as bisexual, is possessed by a demon, who goes on a rampage in school to fill its need for human flesh, whether that be boys or girls.

Megan Fox herself is bisexual, telling Esquire back in 2011 about her thoughts about her sexuality.

After seeing her star in several films for her beauty and talent as an actress, it’s empowering to hear Megan Fox speak so openly about who she is, and even more interesting to rewatch her portrayal of Jennifer years later. It’s awesome to see sexuality portrayed in something like a horror movie, but I’m here for it regardless.

Happiest Season - Kristen Stewart As Abby Holland

2020 was a year of few big film releases, with so many dates changing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many viewers turned to streaming for their entertainment and Happiest Season was one of them, telling the story of a woman who is struggling to come out to her conservative family when she brings her girlfriend home for the holidays.

Kristen Stewart takes on the lead role as Abby Holland in the Happiest Season cast, the girlfriend of Harper, who comes home with her during the holidays. Kristen Stewart herself has come out as queer, and discussed in an interview with InStyle, how her journey of coming out helped her portray the character in the film. When asked if it was her own experiences that drew her to the role, she discussed the challenges of dating and fame during her early twenties, and being asked about her sexuality, stating:

When an actor goes through something so personal, it’s not a surprise that the character comes off so organically real, and that was the case with Happiest Season. Not only is it a great Christmas film, but it’s certainly a great portrayal of what coming out to a conservative family can be like.

Clean Slate – Laverne Cox as Desiree

While Laverne Cox has been in the business for a while, there are so many amazing roles we could point to that I knew I wanted to focus on a new one of hers. While everyone knows her as Sophia from Orange is the New Black, I wanted to focus on Desiree, a trans woman from Clean Slate who wishes to rebuild her relationship with her father.

Cox has identified as transgender for many years and is actively a part of the LGBTQ+ community. The show, which is on Amazon Prime, actively dives into modern-day complexities within the American family of learning to adjust to life changes and how people live their lives while also dealing with the topic of rights within the LGBTQ+ community – all while telling jokes that make you chuckle throughout it. Cox is a star, as always.

Schitt's Creek - Dan Levy As David Rose

Of course I had to put Schitt’s Creek on here. Schitt's Creek ended up becoming extremely popular in 2020, even going on to sweep the comedic awards at the 2020 Primetime Emmys for its final season. One of the stars of the show - as well as one of the creators - was Dan Levy, who played David Rose, the pansexual son of Moira and Johnny. And in my opinion, David Rose was one of the funniest characters that Schitt's Creek had, and I am going to miss him terribly now that the show is over.

Dan Levy, who is gay, did an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2022 about David's pansexuality, and how it affected Schitt's Creek as a whole.

All representation starts somewhere, and I believe that David Rose was the perfect step in the right direction. Besides, who else would have been able to pull off that character other than Dan Levy? And if you had another option, I'm very uninterested in that opinion.

I can’t wait to see who from this list appears in our 2025 movie schedule or what they might be doing next in the 2025 TV schedule. I’m champing at the bit for any new projects they might have coming – but maybe I could just rewatch some of these and enjoy the ride all over again.

Kevin Smith is a treasure trove of Hollywood stories related to his career as an active screenwriter and director. He’s been open about his experiences, like witnessing "true darkness" while working with Bruce Willis. Many times, Smith has disclosed information on multiple projects he came close to doing or was shelved by the studios, and this time is no different. For the latest edition of Kevin Smith’s Hollywood stories, the Clerks 3 director spoke on the time he was hired to write a DC superhero project for The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons.

Jim Parsons in a superhero film sounded like one of Sheldon Cooper’s best dreams. In real life though, the actor came close to being a DC superhero, according to Kevin Smith. Like many failed projects, Smith came across the script while doing a deep dive. The director spilled on his podcast Fat Man Beyond which DC superhero the Big Bang Theory alum would’ve played in the failed project.

From the tidbits Kevin Smith revealed, it sounded like DC fans almost got an animated series featuring the elastic superhero. Parson already does voiceovers for Young Sheldon, so taking on the beloved superhero wouldn’t have been too farfetched. While Smith didn’t get into the details as to why the Plastic Man project was shelved, it seemed like the studio couldn’t work what to do with the property. Still, it would’ve been nice to hear Jim Parsons voice Plastic Man.

If the series had come to fruition, it would’ve been the most recent small-screen adaptation based on the DC superhero. Plastic Man headlined an animated series for five seasons from 1979 to 1981, and a pilot for a new series was commissioned in 2006, but it wasn't picked up. Since then, the character has popped in animated DC shows like Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Young Justice, and Justice League: Action.

The Plastic Man script isn’t the first failed DC project Kevin Smith has been hired to work on. Most notably, he was tapped to write the unrealized Tim Burton Superman film Superman Lives. Smith has said in the past he had Guardians of the Galaxy’s Michael Rooker in mind to play Lex Luthor. The director did get his comics fix by teaming up with the Russo brothers for a docu-series about DC and Marvel history called Slugfest. Outside of the comic book realm though, one project Smith had a hand in came to fruition – Good Will Hunting. The film’s stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon gave the Clerk 3 director credit for saving the film.

Of course. Kevin Smith is busier than ever after wrapping up production on Clerks 3 with an appreciation post to the cast and crew. While we wait for more news on what Smith has cooking, don't forget to look through our lineup of upcoming movies and the 2022 TV schedule.

One of the most beloved sitcoms of the modern era is The Big Bang Theory, which came to an end a little over two years ago. While most of the cast has moved on from the CBS series, many of them are still rightfully paying tribute to the past every now and again. Stars Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik, who portrayed couple Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler on the series, are still working together on the Fox comedy Call Me Kat. Bialik recently shared a throwback photo of the two of them working on their previous series together, and it's giving me all the big-bang feels.

Mayim Bialik must have been feeling some things of her own when the actress took to Instagram to share a picture of her and Jim Parsons from The Big Bang Theory set. Check it out!

As one fan pointed out, the photo appears to have been taken as Mayim Bialik, Jim Parsons and other cast members were filming for Amy and Sheldon's wedding episode. And with that in mind, other fans started assuming that the specificity could mean something more, though it's not exactly clear what it could be. Whatever it means, even if it's nothing, the pic alone was enough to make fans very nostalgic for the sitcom.

The two stars have remained close since The Big Bang Theory came to an end, whether it's in public for fans to see through social media, or with their post-BBT projects, like Call Me Kat. It just shows that one reason why Sheldon and Amy worked so well together on the series is because of Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik’s chemistry off-screen. Earlier this year Bialik shared a video on Instagram of some bloopers between her and her on-screen hubby in honor of Parsons’ birthday, and their chemistry definitely radiates.

Mayim Bialik has reflected over the years on what it’s like working with Jim Parsons, as well as why the two of them mesh so well together. She has purported that neither of them are “overly sentimental as humans,” which also plays a part in why they've maintained closeness as both acting and producing partners. Working with someone for a decade can definitely have that affect and you can really know and connect with someone during that time. When it was announced that they would be working together again on Call Me Kat, it was another match made in heaven, although Parsons still has yet to make a guest-spot appearance.

Even though it hasn’t been too long since The Big Bang Theory came to an end, it feels like it was forever ago, considering how long 2020 was, and how prevalent the sitcom was before that. Although it might be a while until The Big Bang Theory gets the Friends reunion treatment, it doesn’t look like the cast is straying far from each other. It’s great to see that Bialik and Parsons are still close with Call Me Kat, and we're hoping to see some cameos happen on Kaley Cuoco's The Flight Attendant down the line, too. But it makes you wonder just where Sheldon and Amy would be these days? Probably flaunting their Nobel Prize and changing the world, and then taking pictures of themselves in mirrors.

No premiere date has been set yet for Season 2 of Call Me Kat, but in the meantime, check out what other shows to look forward to this fall!

While Kaley Cuoco has been garnering praise and accolades over the past eight months for her Golden Globe-nominated performance on the HBO Max series The Flight Attendant, there's no doubt that a huge number of TV viewers will forever think of her as The Big Bang Theory's Penny [Last Name Redacted]. And that fanbase is one that apparently has little problem approaching the highly successful actress and displaying their Big Bang Theory fandom on the spot. It sounds like everybody could use some new material, however, with Cuoco saying a ton of people end up making the exact same show reference when they see her.

Kaley Cuoco spoke with other hyper-talented Hollywood actresses such as Jean Smart, Lena Waithe, Aidy Bryant, Holly Hunter and Cristin Milioti for THR, and the group was asked what fans tend to recognize them from the most, and how they usually react in public. Everyone had great answers, with several pointing out how their voice gives their identities away before their faces do. And it's here where Cuoco mentioned the Big Bang Theory callback she gets peppered with the most. In her words:

For those who might somehow be unaware of what Kaley Cuoco is talking about, one of The Big Bang Theory's longest-running gags was the triple-knock from Jim Parsons' Sheldon Cooper, whose OCD tendencies were always readily apparent when making a visit to Penny's apartment. And while the show does have other catchphrases and regularly occurring bits that viewers have kept alive following the CBS sitcom's end, it's apparently Sheldon's knocking that BBT fans automatically go to when Kaley Cuoco is around.

While it's all fine and dandy that fans show their love by knocking on inanimate objects, it's probably not the best move to go up to a famous actress like Kaley Cuoco and start rapping one's knuckles against any part of her body. Even if she's fine with it in the end, maybe a TV reference isn't the best impetus to infringe on someone's personal space. Especially if the reference is the same ol' shit that everybody else is doing.

Though The Big Bang Theory went quite a few seasons without directly addressing the meaning behind Sheldon's knocking pattern, the truth did eventually surface. In the Season 10 episode "The Hot Tub Contamination," which aired in 2016, Sheldon confessed to Mayim Bialik's Amy that his over-abundant knocking goes back to a time when he was a kid and unwittingly walked in on his father having sex with another woman, which had quite the traumatizing effect on the quirky genius.

Funnily enough, The Flight Attendant featured a scene where Kaley Cuoco's character Cassie tells another character to "knock three times" when he returns to her hotel room, so that she can know it's him. However, the actress claimed after the fact that it was not an intentional callback to Sheldon, and was only coincidental.

Both The Flight Attendant and The Big Bang Theory can be streamed in full on HBO Max, though the former will hit linear TV at some point in the future. Season 2 of The Flight Attendant is currently in development, but be sure to check out all the awesome shows hitting the 2021 Summer TV schedule while waiting.

2021 has already been a huge year for Mayim Bialik. She reteamed with The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons in bringing to life Fox's Call Me Kat, a sitcom revision of the UK comedy Miranda that she considers a career highlight. She started up her own mental health podcast with Mayim Bialik's Breakdown. And Bialik also managed to earn a spot as a Jeopardy! guest host, with her episodes coming soon. Now, her celebrations are continuing, with Fox having officially confirmed Call Me Kat has been renewed for Season 2.

While it can only be assumed that the great Leslie Jordan had to be coaxed down from throwing massive roof parties after Call Me Kat's renewal news was announced, Mayim Bialik took a quieter and more subtle approach by celebrating the news on social media. Here's how she shared her excitement on Twitter:

Meow indeed! While Call Me Kat obviously didn't end on any Breaking Bad-esque cliffhangers with its Season 1 finale, one of her cats did die to coincide with the cafe's one-year anniversary. Plus, viewers were left wondering whether Mayim Bialik's Kat would stick with Christopher Rivas' Oscar, who made up for joking about the cat's death by driving far out of his way to pick up the cremated ashes, or if she'd continue building her feelings for Cheyenne Jackson's Max, who was far kinder about the cat's death in the first place. The best news here is that we won't have to learn what happens from creator Darlene Hunt in a post-cancellation interview; we get to actually watch it!

Having Season 2 already locked down will also give Call Me Kat's creative team a chance to potentially do more with Jim Parsons, who serves as an executive producer on the Fox sitcom. He's actually the one who brought the Miranda remake pitch to Mayim Bialik in the first place, thinking she would be perfect as the lead, so the former Big Bang Theory star is very much just as enthusiastic as Bialik is by Fox's renewal news. Here's what he had to say on Instagram:

Jim Parsons said at one point that he wouldn't be automatically against making an on-screen appearance for Call Me Kat if the role and situation made sense. At this point, he seems fine to just stay back on the sidelines while letting Mayim Bialik and her fantastic co-stars earn all the attention. However, Parsons is absolutely aware how much fans would love to see him appear in a scene with Bialik again after so many years of Sheldon and Amy's atypical relationship. And if not in Season 2, then in Season 3!

With Call Me Kat's 12-episode first season having wrapped back in March, it legitimately wasn't clear at all what its future might be, as it goes for many on-the-bubble shows at this point in the year. The sitcom's viewership numbers were not always so impressive following its post-NFL series premiere, and Fox hasn't gone very heavy on live-action comedies in the past few years, with more animated and unscripted series filling the network's time slots. Still, Mayim Bialik prevailed, and Call Me Kat survived against any and all odds to keep Leslie Jordan on TV for at least one more season.

Stay tuned for more info on when Call Me Kat Season 2 might make its way to Fox, but the 2021 Summer TV schedule has lots to keep everyone busy in the meantime.

One of the most beloved fictional couples in the modern TV area would definitely be Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler from The Big Bang Theory. The two geniuses were absolutely perfect together and awkwardly melted millions of hearts every week. Mayim Bialik, who portrayed the female physicist on the CBS sitcom, shared her thoughts about why she's such a good match to work with on-screen partner Jim Parsons, whom she also teamed up with behind the scenes for her newest comedy, Fox's Call Me Kat.

Chemistry is key when it comes to a long relationship, whether it’s a real-life partnership or one for TV or movies, and it's a big part of why some projects go on for years, and why some die on the vine. The bond the actors have is the key, and if what you see on TV looks heartwarmingly real, then it probably is, with Mayim Bialik and Jim Parsons' work on The Big Bang Theory a well-documented example. Bialik told Us Weekly that she and Parsons have something specific in common that helped their working relationship become such a success both on- and off-screen. In her words:

The Big Bang Theory ran on CBS from 2007 to 2019 for 12 seasons and 279 total episodes, with Mayim Bialik coming onto the series as a guest in Season 3 before becoming part of the main cast in Season 4. Working with the same people for nearly a decade obviously relies on building strong relationships, so it can be extremely emotional a job ends and everyone goes in (mostly) different directions. Thankfully for Bialik and Jim Parsons, neither actor is particularly keen on drawing out the psychological impact of such life changes. They apparently prefer to mute the drama and take things in stride.

That said, it's not like Mayim Bialik and Jim Parsons are stone-faced monsters incapable of having any feels. Bialik did admit that while filming the final scene, having all eyes on Sheldon and Amy was not only emotional for the actors portraying them, but for everyone else on the set as well. In her words:

After Mayim Bialik joined The Big Bang Theory, fans jumped on board the Amy and Sheldon bandwagon, despite their romantic stops and starts early on. The pair eventually got married, with Mark Hamill serving as the officiant, and they also won a Noble Peace Prize together in the series finale. The chemistry between Bialik and Jim Parsons radiated both on-screen and off, which is why they worked so well together on the series, and will hopefully lead to them working again together in the future. Just don't expect them to get all weepy about it.

Relive Sheldon and Amy’s relationship on The Big Bang Theory, streaming all twelve seasons on HBO Max.

Big Bang Theory fans have been going through Shamy withdrawals since the CBS sitcom signed off in 2019, as Mayim Bialik’s Amy Farah Fowler and Jim Parsons’ Sheldon Cooper were truly a match made in nerdy awkwardness. That chemistry translated into strong (and plattonic) working relationship during the show's run and after it ended, and Bialik showed that closeness by celebrating Parsons’ birthday on social media.

Since the hit sitcom went off the air, Mayim Bialik and Jim Parsons have found a number of ways to connect, whether it’s social media posts or new projects. Recently, Bialik paid tribute to Parsons by making a special post on Instagram to celebrate his birthday. Her Instagram post featured some throwback Shamy moments from The Big Bang Theory. Check out Bialik’s sentimental and funny post about Parsons below:

Seeing Mayim Bialik’s Instagram throwback really shows just how much fun she and Jim Parsons and had on the set. It was incredible how many times Parsons broke character in scenes with Bialik, but the same could be said about Bialik. As evidenced by her post, the two seemed to get the giggles at the slightest joke. Seeing the co-stars’ bloopers is a nice peek into their off-screen friendship. Parsons and Bialik’s closeness is no surprise given how much the entire cast still interacts with each other on social media. They also still congratulate one another when new projects come out.

As previously mentioned, Mayim Bialik and Jim Parsons have kept their working relationship going after The Big Bang Theory. The two decided to team up to bring the British sitcom Call Me Kat to Fox, Parsons serving as producer while Bialik plays the title role. According to the actress, she was surprised the actor wanted to work with her again, as she believed she was “annoying” while they were on the hit sitcom. But apparently, Bialik wasn’t too annoying, as she was Parsons’ first choice to play the character.

As the show airs, Shamy fans are still waiting for the moment Jim Parsons might pop up onto the Fox sitcom. Even though they wouldn't be playing Amy and Sheldon anymore, it would still be cool to once again see the chemistry between the two actors.

All in all, you have to love the tight-knit nature of the whole Big Bang Theory cast, which is something that naturally happens considering when you work on a show for 12 years. To be honest, the cast probably saw each other more than their actual family and friends. But given the work they did, viewers are definitely appreciative of their efforts, and one can bet that Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik won't be the only stars to have some sweet interactions as time goes on.

After twelve seasons that drew millions upon millions of viewers to CBS, The Big Bang Theory and its ensemble cast are pretty much set in stone in fans' memories, and it would be difficult to envision any major switch-ups happening within the hit sitcom during its early years. However, as strange as it may be to believe, the standout character Sheldon Cooper could have easily been portrayed by a completely different actor if co-creator Chuck Lorre had been solely in charge of handling all the casting choices.

The Big Bang Theory obviously had more going for it than just Sheldon's high-functioning behavior – from Kaley Cuoco's adorable woman-next-door appeal to Kunal Nayyar's often anti-suave approach to Raj's bachelorhood – but it's safe to say the show would have felt wildly different with another actor beyond Jim Parsons portraying the brainy physicist. But that scenario is one that fans might have seen play out had co-creator Bill Prady not been alongside Chuck Lorre during the audition process. Here's how Prady explained that process to the podcast The Creative Coalition:

To be sure, it doesn't sound like Chuck Lorre was totally put off by Jim Parsons' audition, and he likely didn't think poorly of the actor's talents. However, Lorre apparently thought that Parsons didn't have the performance stamina to keep his Sheldon portrayal tuned into that particular frequency for the long haul. Thankfully for fans, Bill Prady was pretty confident in Parsons' chops, and he claims this is perhaps the one time in their working relationship where his opinion successfully overrode Lorre's stance. He continued:

Even Jim Parsons has shared that when he attempted to audition for Greg Daniels' U.S. adaptation of The Office, he didn't quite get what the appeal was. But that clearly wasn't the case with The Big Bang Theory, since he nailed his audition (twice) with flying colors.

Chuck Lorre and others have previously discussed that the Big Bang Theory's original pilot was vastly different from what fans are familiar with, with Kaley Cuoco taking on a slightly darker version of Penny who handled Leonard and Sheldon in completely different ways. So maybe the Sheldon role would have been molded and morphed to match up with whatever other actor might have secured the part in Parsons' wake. But would the show have still lasted a dozen years on the air?

Jim Parsons definitely maintained the success that was earned through his many years on The Big Bang Theory, having recently earned a Golden Globe nomination for his work on Ryan Murphy's Netflix drama Hollywood. He's also serving as an executive producer on the first-year Fox sitcom Call Me Kat, which reteamed him with former co-star Mayim Bialik, and is still lending his voiceover talents to CBS' Young Sheldon, now in its fourth season.

The Big Bang Theory reigned as one of television’s biggest comedies during its 12-season run. One of the main reasons for its success was the insufferable, yet lovable, Sheldon Cooper, played by Jim Parsons. Fans know that Sheldon had many quirks, but many were surprised when the typically animal averse scientist adopted numerous cats. This fact was Parsons, who is allergic, and the actor recently recalled what it was like working with cats on the set despite this.

Jim Parsons mastered the intricacies of Sheldon Cooper over The Big Bang Theory's 12 seasons, and the character's eccentricities would put the actor in some interesting positions. Most recently, he and former Big Bang co-star Mayim Bialik reunited for the cat-centric Fox sitcom Call Me Kat, which he produces. When the two recently stopped by The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss the new sitcom, Parsons reflected on his own feline experience on their former show:

Luckily, Jim Parsons managed to get through the episode without having an allergic reaction. He revealed how he kept it from happening:

The irony of Jim Parsons’ cat allergy is that Sheldon’s favorite song was “Soft Kitty,” which was sung many times as a lullaby for the character. Still, That fact that Parsons pushed through his cat allergies for The Big Bang Theory shows how committed the actor was to his role.

Jim Parsons starred on CBS' The Big Bang Theory with Bialik, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, Simon Helberg and Melissa Rauch from 2007 to 2019. For his performance, he received three Lead Actor in a Comedy Emmys and a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Comedy/Musical along with multiple TV Critics’ Choice and SAG Award nominations. The series became the number one show on television after seven seasons in the top ten.

Since Big Bang ended, Jim Parsons has found roles that don't involve cats, as he played a key role in the Ryan Murphy Netflix miniseries Hollywood. And aside from Call Me Kat, he's also served as a producer on Young Sheldon, a spinoff prequel of Big Bang. Along with television, the actor began taking on more film projects. He appeared in the Ted Bundy biopic Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile as well as the ensemble drama The Boys in the Band with Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer.

If you want to check out Jim Parsons' hilarious performance as Sheldon Cooper, you can stream The Big Bang Theory on HBO Max.

The film industry has been greatly changing over the past few years. Many of these changes have occurred as a result of conversation over representation/ inclusion, both behind and in front of the camera. Lately there's been a more specific debate around casting straight actors in LGBT roles, given how few and far between these characters often are. And now Big Bang Theory alum and queer actor Jim Parsons has weighed in.

Jim Parsons came out of the closet in 2013 in the midst of his wildly successful run as Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory. He's since collaborated with Ryan Murphy in bringing iconic gay characters to life in the film adaptations of both The Normal Heart and most recently Netflix's The Boys in the Band. Parsons recently spoke to the ongoing conversation around LGBT representation, as well as straight actors playing roles like in Brokeback Mountain. In his words,

That's certainly one way of looking at it. While Jim Parsons understands the importance of telling LGBTQ+ stories and have well-rounded queer characters, he doesn't necessarily feel that straight actors can't play queer characters. And if there were simply more queer stories being told, it wouldn't be such a race to land one of those coveted roles.

Jim Parson's comments to LA Times came as the ongoing debates about onscreen inclusion focused on the concept of straight actors playing gay roles. This most recently made its way around the Twittersphere after Ryan Murphy's The Prom was released on Netflix. Some advocates and LGBTQIA+ took umbrage with James Corden's casting as Barry, especially as the late night host/actor put on a lisp for the role.

Later in that same interview, Jim Parson went on to speak specifically about the universally acclaimed 2005 drama Brokeback Mountain. Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger are both straight men, who were acclaimed for their performances as Jack and Ennis. As Parson put it,

Clearly it's a delicate situation when handling LGBTQIA+ stories, either for the big or small screen. And while advocates will continue to call for these stories to be portrayed by queer actors, Jim Parsons doesn't seem to believe in being a hard and fast rule. Citing Brokeback Mountain specifically, the 47 year-old actor seems to think the best actor should get the role--regardless of their sexual identity.

Jim Parsons can currently be seen in The Boys in the Band on Netflix, and his next movie role is in the upcoming project So Much. In the meantime, check out our 2021 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.