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“The Big Bang Theory” began as a sitcom centered around a group of socially awkward scientists whose lives are enlivened by their charming neighbor. By the series finale, it had transformed into a story about three couples and one single friend navigating adulthood in Pasadena. If you’re curious about how the inaugural season contrasts sharply with the rest of the series, as well as how certain episode tweaks may have altered your view of the show, check out our video above for a detailed rundown of these changes.
From the start, “The Big Bang Theory” didn’t shy away from quirky humor. The original pilot episode features Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons) and Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) at a sperm bank for geniuses, aiming to boost their Wi-Fi speed. This scene, however, is omitted in syndicated versions, so if it doesn’t ring a bell, consider dusting off your DVDs. The show was also a showcase of then-cutting-edge technology, with Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and the guys using gadgets that were state-of-the-art at the time. For those who recall “Fractional T-1 Internet,” you’ll appreciate the humor behind Sheldon and Leonard’s Skynet jokes, though such references might now elude newer audiences.
Despite eventually becoming known for its impressive lineup of guest stars, Season 1 features few celebrity appearances. Sara Gilbert makes her first appearance as Leslie Winkle, and Laurie Metcalf debuts as Mary Cooper. Apart from these, the notable guest is James Hong. It’s a modest beginning for a show that would eventually welcome legends like William Shatner, Bob Newhart, and Stephen Hawking.
In its first season, the show also introduces “Soft Kitty,” a comforting song that becomes a recurring theme for Sheldon throughout the series. This seemingly innocuous tune led to legal troubles when Ellen Newlin Chase and Margaret Chase Perry, daughters of Ellen Newlin, claimed it closely resembled their mother’s poem “Warm Kitty,” published in the book “Songs for the Nursery School.” They filed a copyright lawsuit against Warner Bros., arguing that the rights had been improperly assigned. Warner Bros. countered that they had legally acquired the rights from Willis Music Co. However, the Chase family contended that neither Willis Music nor CBS had consulted or compensated them for the song’s use.
Geeky guests and the controversial origins of Soft Kitty — occurred in Season 1
CBS
The legal battle concluded in March 2017 when a judge ruled that the copyright renewal by Willis Music did not cover the poem itself. To explore more about how Season 1 of “The Big Bang Theory” has evolved over time, check out our video above. The entire series is available for streaming on HBO Max.
Lastly, Season 1 introduces the wholesome song “Soft Kitty,” which will become a recurrent tune for Sheldon as the series goes on. The snippet of music actually brought about a scandal as it was subject to a lawsuit. Ellen Newlin Chase and Margaret Chase Perry — daughters of Ellen Newlin, whose poem “Warm Kitty” were published in a book titled “Songs for the Nursery School” — filed a copyright claim against Warner Bros. noting a close similarity between “Warm Kitty” and “Soft Kitty.” Warner Bros. stated they paid its rights holder, Willis Music Co, to use the poem. But the Chase family claimed that neither Willis Music nor CBS never compensated them or consulted them regarding the lyrics’ use.
The suit was extinguished in March 2017 when a judge noted that a copyright renewal of the book by Willis Music did not reflect any renewal of copyright on the poem. Want to learn a little more about how completely different Season 1 of “The Big Bang Theory” looks with time and distance applied? Click our video above. “The Big Bang Theory” is streaming in its entirety on HBO Max.
