After 12 years and just as many seasons of definitive television entertainment,

The Big Bang Theory and its roster of eccentric characters simply

disappeared from the public eye. It was a difficult absence to process,

considering the beloved nature of the show and how adored the cast was by fans of the series.

However, the show’s 12-year-long arc and its inevitable end affected

the cast more than anyone else. Not only had they grown accustomed to each

other’s company in the time they spent together filming 12 hilarious and beautiful seasons but they had also accepted each other as family (and some, lovers) in between the pilot and the finale from 2007 to 2019.

Johnny Galecki & Kaley Cuoco vs. Leonard & Penny

A year after the launch of the fan-favorite hit series, The Big Bang Theory, the real-life actors portraying the golden couple Leonard and Penny, aka Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco had secretly begun dating off-screen. But as viewers know all too well, the on-screen romance between the pair would take a long time to pay off.

Not seeking to confuse the fans while wanting to keep their private life separate from the public, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco decided to not announce their relationship at all. However, the weight of a secret that immense did catch up to them when Galecki stood firm on his decision, rather than understanding how it affected Cuoco.

In Jessica Radloff’s book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, Galecki revealed:

I think one of the things that created a chasm between us was my strict policies of privacy, and Kaley being very, very open about her life. I was very uncomfortable with being public about it, and I think that hurt Kaley’s feelings a little bit, and I can understand that.

It certainly wasn’t because I was embarrassed of her or our relationship, but I wanted to be protective of the audience’s acceptance of Penny and Leonard, without distraction from the tabloids.

Over time, the story of Leonard and Penny would grow to become one of the most adored couples on television. Reality was not so kind, on the other hand. The pair ended their relationship in 2010, a mere two years after they began dating, although both Cuoco and Galecki remained great friends throughout the duration of filming till 2019, even pulling off their couple act in the series.

The Big Bang Theory Casts a Tall Shadow

Over the years since Lucy & Desi revolutionized television, talk shows, game channels, and comedy have taken over the world of entertainment. Now, sitcoms and late-night chats are the popular breadwinners for the silver screen, and the audience is all the better for it.

However, despite innumerable projects, nothing has ever quite been able to replicate the success of The Big Bang Theory. The series not only catapulted some of the best actors and actresses to fame but also made the entire nerd culture singlehandedly cool again.

With each of their eccentricities outmatching and outdoing the others, there has never been one dull moment in the entirety of The Big Bang Theory and that is saying a lot, considering how the show could often get too caught up in the scientific jargon and the fact that the entire premise of the show was built around the lives of four socially awkward physicists.

Although it may be difficult to replicate the success of The Big Bang Theory (because let’s be honest, there can only be one Sheldon Cooper), it might just be enough to know that the show existed and blessed its audience with a heartwarming journey that makes us want to go back again and again.

The Big Bang Theory is available to stream on Max.