Look, there’s no denying that “The Big Bang Theory” is a popular show. That doesn’t mean we have to enjoy it. And though the ratings have dwindled over the last few seasons, the CBS comedy is consistently one of the most-watched shows on TV. That’s why, even after over a decade on air, it’s pretty shocking that ‘Big Bang’ is ending its run after the upcoming 12th season. And according to a new report, it came down to one person — Jim Parsons.
Parsons, who plays Sheldon Cooper (known for his annoyingly popular “Bazinga!” catchphrase… *shudder*), is by far the biggest star of the series and is the lynchpin of the entire cast. EW is reporting that CBS had approached the cast with massive paydays that would have earned Parsons over $50 million, if he agreed to two more seasons. However, much to the network’s surprise, the actor turned them down, as he wants to move on from the series.
As you might have gathered from the headline of this article, “The Big Bang Theory” is not a show that most of us at The Playlist enjoy. It’s horribly written, relying on tired nerd jokes and sitcom tropes, and the acting is so ridiculous that it calls to mind comedies from the ‘90s such as “Home Improvement” and “Family Matters,” with over-the-top stars spouting off stupid catchphrases as canned laughter pours from the “live” audience. All that being said, it’s a big moneymaker for CBS, as the cast has already earned incredible amounts of money for their work, and has already spawned a popular spin-off focusing on Parsons character, titled “Young Sheldon.”
But apparently, it’s not all about money, for Parsons at least. That means the upcoming 12th season, which earns ‘Big Bang’ the distinction of being the longest-running mulit-cam series in TV history, will be its last. And while we can’t say that we’re sad to see it go, we have to hand it to everyone involved, those involved really did create a series that has dominated for a decade, despite being pure garbage.