# The end for The Big Bang Theory? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969 "2014-07-24T20:55:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/41 "2014-07-26T04:19:22Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Stewart is the only one I can tolerate lately. Sheldon is great but the writing is so tired on the show that I simply don’t care about most of the characters anymore. It seems to me that Chuck Lorre is making so many millions of dollars for each episode that it is just very difficult to maintain that creative spark that helped him launch this show some 9 years ago? This show is now in its tenth season and I sure do feel that is just too long. Remember what happened to The Office in its final few years? It was a big mess and disaster. Talking about the plot for BBT, where can it go from here? They did boy meets girl and then boy and girl get together. Where can they go now? It’s sad to say, but it sure does seem that this show has run its course and has now run out of gas. It was real good while it was young. But it seems to have developed some form of Alzheimer’s or something similar now. Time to say goodbye and put it out of its misery. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/42 "2014-07-26T12:20:43Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > I certainly don’t doubt your numbers. > > Perhaps there is just a small group of viewers who feel the show has jumped the shark? > > Perhaps it’s just folks like QuickSilver and myself? And me! I still have the last three episodes from the past season on my DVR, unwatched. I got tired of the way the characters developed. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/43 "2014-07-26T12:23:43Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > This show is now in its tenth season and I sure do feel that is just too long. The upcoming will be the 8th season of _Big Bang Theory_. _Two and a Half Men_ just had its eleventh. Somehow. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/44 "2014-07-26T16:32:46Z")
> **[The Big Bang Theory (TV Series 2007–2019) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/)** > > The Big Bang Theory: Created by Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady. With Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg. A woman who moves into an apartment across the hall from two brilliant but socially awkward physicists shows them how little they... The above link shows it’s in its 10th season. But very strange … I can’t find any episodes past episode 7. I have no idea what is going on. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/45 "2014-07-26T17:07:37Z")
Charlie, they haven’t taped any season 8,9, or 10 episodes. They haven’t even written any season 9 or 10 episodes. They probably haven’t even written all the episodes for season 8 yet. All they have there on IMDB are placeholders for seasons 8,9 and 10. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/46 "2014-07-26T17:13:49Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > [The Big Bang Theory (TV Series 2007–2019) - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/) > > The above link shows it’s in its 10th season. But very strange … I can’t find any episodes past episode 7. > > I have no idea what is going on. That link lists years until 2016, probably because the show itself was given an extension and the contract runs that long. You’re also confusing seasons and calendar years. A normal network television season starts in October and goes past January, putting it into two calendar years. Season 1 took place in 2007 and 2008. Seven seasons take place in eight calendar years. Season eight will be 2014-2015 and season nine in 2015-2016, but no episodes for those yet exist. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/47 "2014-07-26T20:03:29Z")
[Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdajsDAh7kc) for Serial Apeist 2 ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/48 "2014-07-26T20:11:19Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Charlie, they haven’t taped any season 8,9, or 10 episodes. They haven’t even written any season 9 or 10 episodes. They probably haven’t even written all the episodes for season 8 yet. All they have there on IMDB are placeholders for seasons 8,9 and 10. Aha! I see. Thanks for explaining that. I just saw it list Season 10 and figured they would know. In a way, I’m kind of glad. Given the quality of the recent season(s), IMHO, they sure do not deserve to create any new episodes unless or until they can “fix” the quality of this show. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/49 "2014-07-26T20:14:25Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > And me! > > I still have the last three episodes from the past season on my DVR, unwatched. I got tired of the way the characters developed. I have a very strong feeling that no matter how professional any showrunner may be, if they continue to be paid millions of dollars and they continue to be paid more and more all the time, there comes a time when they will nolonber be able to find the energy to create any new product that is good. It certainly does seem to be the case with this show. It is enough to make me want to have a cry. I remember a time when people took great pride in their work - even if that was a TV show. That certainly seems to have now gone by the wayside. Such a shame. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/50 "2014-07-26T20:19:44Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > \ > So what are the odds that Sheldon bankrolls Stuart in opening a new comic book store, and maybe tries his hand at business instead of dead-end physics? Silenus! That is a great idea. The result could be a most EXCELLENT show. The producers would have a chance to get rid of a lot of the dead weight and Sheldon dealing with customers who cannot ever understand what he is saying could be truly hilarious. It may not seem like much of a big idea, but whoever originally thought of this deserves a big round of applause. If it was you, I certainly take my hat off to you. P.S. I would def get rid of Raj and some of the “creepier” chars - like that fellow with the speech impediment. I would keep Leonard and Penny. I think the other choices would be pretty clear. I just wonder if they would ever have the courage to try that. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/51 "2014-07-26T20:25:04Z")
P.S. I would want to get rid of him - not because of the speech impediment - but because he is just so “creepy”. If the writers were able to have his speech impediment corrected somehow, I would be happy to keep him in the cast. Although, maybe give him an improvement in his basic personality? ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2014, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/52 "2014-07-26T22:47:20Z")
Well, Kripke is Sheldon’s professional nemesis/rival. Do you really want him to be likable? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/53 "2014-07-27T21:47:43Z")
I’ve given up on the show, due to poor writing. Howevever, I would love for the studio to say “not prepared to show up, say some lines and get paid $350,000 an epsode to do it? Fine, you’re fired, we’ll get a decent actor who who looks a bit like you, pay him 10 grand an episode, call him “Leonard” on screen and act as though nothing is amiss. Kaley, Jim do you have anything you want to say?” And actually do it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/54 "2014-07-27T22:01:09Z")
They’ve done that a few times. (For example, on Three’s Company, Suzanne Somers was replaced by another actress in the “dumb blonde” role.) In this case, though, the entire main cast is seeking more money. And Jim Parsons in particular has won three Emmy Awards for his performance. Do you really think he’s going to be easy to replace? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/55 "2014-07-27T22:15:11Z")
How long do you think it would take Jim Parsons to stop asking for more money, if Jonny Galeki was fired in the manner I suggested, with the extra “do _you_ have anything to say, Jim?” My guess is not long. I’m sure the show would get along fine without Jim Parsons. I don’t mean to pick on Galeki in particular, It could be any of the three in my hypothetical. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/56 "2014-07-27T22:26:40Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > How long do you think it would take Jim Parsons to stop asking for more money, if Jonny Galeki was fired in the manner I suggested, with the extra “do _you_ have anything to say, Jim?” My guess is not long. > > I’m sure the show would get along fine without Jim Parsons. > > I don’t mean to pick on Galeki in particular, It could be any of the three in my hypothetical. Bullllllshit. If the producers did something like that, the entire cast would walk. They are all millionaires already. They don’t need to put up with that kind of shit from asshole producers. The ratings would tank with record-setting speed as the news broke and the viewers boycotted every show the producers make/will make/even think of making. At that point the network, seeing their cash cow getting slaughtered, would bounce the production company off the lot with extreme prejudice, the producer’s wife and mistress would leave him and sue his ass off, and every other show out there would get into a bidding war for Parsons, Galecki et al’s services. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/57 "2014-07-27T22:27:48Z")
As I said upthread, the show is currently getting twenty million viewers an episode. Nothing else does as well. Would it continue to get those kinds of numbers with another actor in the role? It doesn’t help that they’ve already renewed the show for three more seasons. So they can’t even threaten to just cancel the dammed thing. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/58 "2014-07-27T22:33:37Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > How long do you think it would take Jim Parsons to stop asking for more money, if Jonny Galeki was fired in the manner I suggested, with the extra “do _you_ have anything to say, Jim?” My guess is not long. > > I’m sure the show would get along fine without Jim Parsons. > > I don’t mean to pick on Galeki in particular, It could be any of the three in my hypothetical. Fans would riot and the ratings would plummet. The cast holds all the cards in this discussion. They might quibble over the details, but they’ll all get paid. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/59 "2014-07-27T22:35:13Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Bullllllshit. If the producers did something like that, the entire cast would walk. They are all millionaires already. They don’t need to put up with that kind of shit from asshole producers. The ratings would tank with record-setting speed as the news broke and the viewers boycotted every show the producers make/will make/even think of making. At that point the network, seeing their cash cow getting slaughtered, would bounce the production company off the lot with extreme prejudice, the producer’s wife and mistress would leave him and sue his ass off, and every other show out there would get into a bidding war for Parsons, Galecki et al’s services. Parsons and Galeki don’t make that kind of money because they are such amazing actors that they are intrinsically worth that much. They make it because they happened to be cast on a show that made megabucks. It’s the show’s success that made them, not the other way around. Not that they’re bad or anything, but there would not be a massive stampede of people offering to equal or better their current salary. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969/60 "2014-07-27T22:38:53Z")
There wouldn’t have to be. See my previous about “already millionaires many times over.” The thing would be to screw over the producers, which would happen instantly should they do as you propose. Which is a moot point, because Lorre and Prady aren’t idiots. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-for-the-big-bang-theory/693969.md?page=4)