Amy Rickman - An independent, amazing, unofficial A-Z of The Big Bang Theory

(Because it All started with the Big Bang!)

It was an unlikely formula. Four socially inept geniuses, most of whose dialogue written in by a professor of astrophysics is completely incomprehensible to the actors, let alone to the average viewer, gradually befriend a ditzy, blonde wannabe actress-neighbour who shows them what life is really all about. I remember reading about [The BigBang Theory]and thinking, Naah, itll never fly, said one TV critic, Bob Mr. Media Andelman, to co-creator of The Big Bang Theory Bill Prady. At the time, I thought that Cavemen, the exact opposite of your show, actually seemed like a better bet on paper. It was the thought of all that geeky, complicated science that put most critics, including Andelman, off the idea so much so that he thought a show about cavemen living in modern day San Diego would be a better bet. Could a show dedicated to science really take off with mainstream viewers?

Clearly, it could! Four years since its first airing, The Big Bang Theory is one of the fastest growing comedies around the world. It has reached a whole generation of viewers who really connect with Leonard, Sheldon, Penny and the rest of the gang; viewers who had been crying out for a smart but still hilarious show that spoke their language: the language of geeks.

Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, the two creators of the show, are no strangers to small screen success. They had previously collaborated on Dharma and Greg, and had had separate successes with Two and a Half Men (for Chuck) and Gilmore Girls (for Bill). They knew they wanted to work together again, though, and so they started throwing ideas around for a new pilot.

We were discussing two different ideas together, recalled Chuck, speaking to Collider magazine. One was about a woman whos pretty much getting her life started at the beginning of adulthood. And Bill was talking about the 80s and the genius computer programmers that he was one of. They put both of these shows into development, and started working up scripts. Fairly quickly in the writing process, they realised that as individual shows the scripts just werent working. But they did start to wonder what it would be like if Bills computer programmers met Chucks ditzy woman. How would they deal with that situation? Suddenly, a light-bulb went off, and they realised they had all the elements to make a show that might really succeed.

Now that they had their great idea, the normal next step for the pair would be to pitch the show to network. A pitch would involve a one- or two-line snapshot of the idea, a detailed outline of the premise, character sketches and a vision for how the show would play out long term. Then would come the nerve-wracking wait to see if the pitch would be given the go-ahead from the powers that be. But because of Chucks long-standing relationship with the network, and with his track record for success, he was able to bypass the traditional methods and try a more unconventional approach instead. Bill and Chuck wrote down a few key scenes, hired actors and went to the office of CBS President and Chief Executive Leslie Moonves to perform the script live in front of him. It was crazy, Chuck said while telling the story to the audience at PaleyFest. The unconventional approach paid off, and the two got the go ahead to make a pilot episode. Of course, it still wasnt an easy road, and they had to work through two different versions of the show to get there. If you want to read more about the unaired version of the show, jump to Original Pilot.

Lee is a true jack-of-all-trades in the television industry, covering everything from writing and producing to directing and writing music. He was the co-executive producer of The Big Bang Theory from 20072011, and helped bring the show to life alongside Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. He told the Lincoln Journal Star (very modestly) that one of his biggest contributions to the show was deciding on Pennys hometown: It was something I threw out, I think, Lee said. We knew she wasnt from Los Angeles. So where is she from? Nebraska. I knew a little bit about Nebraska. So fine.

L EE A RONSOHN, B IG B ANGT HEORY C O-CREATOR

Lee knew about Nebraska because he lived for two years (19751977) in the state capital, Lincoln. Born on 15 December, 1952, he grew up in New York and attended the University of Colorado. He wasnt immediately sure what he wanted to do with his life, and so he moved out to Lincoln to be with his then girlfriend. A lover and collector of comics, he opened his own comic book store in Lincoln called Trade-a-Tape Comic Center (which probably helped with all the comic book knowledge in Big Bang!). When he and his girlfriend split, he sold the store to his co-worker Larry Lorenz, who still runs it now.

Left at a loose end, Lee moved to Los Angeles, with the dream of becoming a stand-up comedian. But it wasnt for stand-up that he was bound; although he clearly had comedic talent, he was encouraged by a friend who was a writer and producer on the sitcom The Love Boat to consider writing. [Writing scripts] is like having a term paper due every day of your life, said Lee, and at first he wasnt interested. But then he was told what they were paying writers on The Love Boat, and then I said, On the other hand . Fortunately Lee gave it a try, and ended up on the writing staff of The Love Boat from 1978 to early 1980. Success writing for other sitcoms, like Whos the Boss? and Murphy Brown followed.

His association with Chuck Lorre goes back to 1993, when they started working together on a show called Grace Under Fire. We discovered we worked really well together, Lee continued to the Lincoln Journal Star. After a while, we learned what we produced together often was better than what either one of us could produce on their own. With Chuck, he co-created Two and a Half Men, and the show premiered in September 2003. Lee has an extra-special involvement with Two and a Half Men as he wrote the catchy theme song, which is sung by the three male leads: I have two sons, and we used to march around our house singing, We are men, we are men, we are manly men. We are men, men, men, men, men, Aronsohn told the Journal Star. So when it came time to talk about a theme song for Two and a Half Men, I thought, how about something like that?

After four years with Two and a Half Men, Lee came onboard with Lorres next big hit, The Big Bang Theory in 2007. Now, with two of the most successful sitcoms on TV under his belt, Lee can hardly believe his success: Its become my reality. When I stop and think about itIm not only an executive producer on Two and a Half Men, but Im an executive producer on The Big Bang Theory, so its a very busy life.

T HE STARS OF T WO AND A H ALF M EN, J ON C RYER, A NGUS T J ONES AND C HARLIE S HEEN

Aspergers Syndrome

Aspergers syndrome is a form of autism. People who are diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome often have difficulty in judging social situations or participating in social interaction. Some people with Aspergers possess a laser-like focus or a high degree of interest in a particular subject. Several times it has been brought up in the media that Sheldon appears to possess many of the traits associated with Aspergers.