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The Big Bang Theory started on CBS in the fall of 2007. Fans were still unsure of the sitcom early on, however, that all changed when the cast made an appearance at Comic Con. Given the amount of buzz they generated, the cast knew they had something special. CBS agreed as the show last 12 seasons and 279 episodes. In truth, Chuck Lorre’s show could have gone on longer had it not been for Jim Parsons’ decision to step down and leave The Big Bang Theory.
The final season and last episode was an emotional one for fans as they said goodbye to their favorite characters. Some of the final storylines were loved, while others scenes had fans and even the cast confused.
In the following, we’ll take a closer look at what went down behind the scenes when deciding the future for Penny and Leonard’s relationship. Penny announced her pregnancy, despite the fact that she hinted otherwise throughout the sitcom. We’ll reveal what Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki thought about the storyline, and why the showrunners were motivated to make this decision.
The Producers Debated What Would Happen To Penny And Leonard During The Final Season
There was a lot of back and forth in regard to Penny and Leonard’s conclusion on The Big Bang Theory. Ultimately, the decision was made to honor a statement made by Leonard during the pilot, all the way back at the start.
Steve Molaro revealed, “We couldn’t help but go back to the pilot when they met—which was such an early structural piece of the entire series.”
He continues, “And Leonard says that someday their babies would be smart and beautiful. It seemed to be a landing place that was satisfying.”
However, there were still iffy about the storyline given Penny’s intentions throughout the series. “At the same time, we still tried to honor her feelings about having been against it earlier in the season,” he stated.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Steve Holland revealed that the biggest reason for the pregnancy was to ensure fans that Leonard and Penny’s love would continue on into the future.
“Their relationship was really the jumping-off point of this whole show, and it felt important to us to honor that relationship. I love them together, and I wanted to know that they were ending in a happy place.”
Despite the happy ending, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco weren’t exactly thrilled with the reveal at the start.
Johnny Galecki Did Not Expect The Penny Pregnancy Storyline And Was Confused By It At The Start
Johnny Galecki revealed that he was confused by the storyline, and he would even have a conversation about possibly fixing it and changing Penny and Leonard’s finale.
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Galecki revealed, “The pregnancy shocked me. I didn’t get it at first. Molaro and I talked about them maybe not [being pregnant]. We talked about relationships, and there was one in particular to his life that he felt was similar to Leonard and Penny’s.”
Although Galecki didn’t quite understand the finale given Penny’s thoughts on pregnancy. Though he understood that it was done to ensure everyone was going to be okay and more importantly, stay together.
“The main takeaway is that these friendships will continue; the writers didn’t want someone to move away. We wanted to leave the audience with the idea that these friendships and the love that they have continues.”
It seems like Kaley Cuoco felt quite similar to Johnny Galecki when it came to the final episode.
Kaley Cuoco Would Have Done Things Differently, With The Show Honoring Penny’s Wishes Not To Have Kids
Kaley Cuoco had another goal in mind and that was to empower Penny by honoring her decision not to have children throughout the series. Cuoco wanted her relationship with Leonard to continue, but without children.
“I actually wished that they did not [make Penny pregnant] because I loved that message [of Penny not wanting kids] so much.” She goes on to say, “I was actually voting for her not to [get pregnant].”
Ultimately, Cuoco came around to the idea, and she was excited for Leonard and Penny’s future as parents.
“I was super happy. I didn’t expect it at all because they’ve been playing against it for so long. I thought they did it so well and loved how it was a surprise and she was wrapping her brain around it,” Cuoco revealed with The Hollywood Reporter.
“I think they’re going to be awesome parents. They waited so many years, and they’re so fun and easygoing. Or Penny is really kind of easygoing! I think they’d be adorable parents. I can only imagine.”
It ended up adding another twist to the final season and one fans really did not expect.
