TV Show Review: The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)

Quote by Raj Koothrappali

“Ok if no one else will say it, I will. We really suck at paintball.”

Creators: Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady

Total Seasons: 12

Episodes in Each Season: 17 to 24

TV Rating: TV-14

Running Time of Most Episodes: 18 minutes

*******

When Big Bang Theory premiered in 2006, none of the main actors and actresses knew how long the series would last or how big of a hit it would be to the world.  It took me a while to get invested into the show (I see a recurring pattern here) and glad I continued with it.  I think it really started to excel when Bernadette and Amy came along and complimented the group. I think it ended at the right time even though it would have been renewed for two more seasons. Whether roommates, friends, and couples, the group somehow centers around Sheldon Cooper’s needs. I thought the last two part episode was perfect ending to the series. I listed the best episode of each season and let’s all agree Howard Wolowitz, Amy Farah Fowler, and Barry Kripke were the funniest characters.

*******

Major Cast in Season 1: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, and Kaley Cuoco as Penny

Recurring Cast in Season 1: Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle, Brian Patrick Wade as Kurt, John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Sara Rue as Dr. Stephanie Barnett, Mark Harelik as Dr. Eric Gablehauser, Carol Ann Susu as Mrs. Wolowitz, Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali, Alice Amter as Mrs. Koothrappali, Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstader, and Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom

Best Episode in Season 1 = “The Loobenfeld Decay” is the 10th episode where Leonard and Sheldon realize Penny can’t sing and come up with plan not to watch her perform.  It aired on March 24, 2008.

Major Cast in Season 2: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, and Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle

Recurring Cast in Season 2: Brian Patrick Wade as Kurt, John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Sara Rue as Dr. Stephanie Barnett, Mark Harelik as Dr. Eric Gablehauser, Carol Ann Susu as Mrs. Wolowitz, Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali, Alice Amter as Mrs. Koothrappali, Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstader, and Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom

Best Episode in Season 2 = “The Killer Robot Instability” is the 12th episode where Penny is tired of Howard’s flirtations while Sheldon and Barry Kripke have a competition with their robots.  It aired on January 12, 2009.

Major Cast in Season 3: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, and Kaley Cuoco as Penny

Recurring Cast in Season 3: Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle, John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Sara Rue as Dr. Stephanie Barnett, Mark Harelik as Dr. Eric Gablehauser, Carol Ann Susu as Mrs. Wolowitz, Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali, Alice Amter as Mrs. Koothrappali, Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstader, Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom, Laurie Metcalf as Mary Cooper, Brian Thomas Smith as Zack Johnson, and Wil Wheaton as himself

Best Episode in Season 3 = “The Staircase Implementation” is the 22^nd episode where Leonard tells Penny how he met Sheldon.  It aired on May 17, 2010.

Major Cast in Season 4: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, and Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler

Recurring Cast in Season 4: John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Carol Ann Susu as Mrs. Wolowitz, Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali, Alice Amter as Mrs. Koothrappali, Aarti Mann as Priya Koothrappali, Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom, Brian Thomas Smith as Zack Johnson, Joshua Malina as President Siebert, Vernee Watson as Althea, and Wil Wheaton as himself

Best Episode in Season 4 = “The Boyfriend Complexity” is the 9^th episode where Penny convinces Leonard to pretend dated in order not to disappoint her father.  It aired on November 18, 2010.

Major Cast in Season 5: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, and Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler

Recurring Cast in Season 5: Aarti Mann as Priya Koothrappali, John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Carol Ann Susu as Mrs. Wolowitz, Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali, Alice Amter as Mrs. Koothrappali, Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstader, Laurie Metcalf as Mary Cooper, Joshua Malina as President Siebert, Vernee Watson as Althea, Casey Sander as Mike Rostenkowski, Pasha Lynchnikoff as Dimitri Rezinov, Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom, Wil Wheaton as himself, Mike Massimino as himself, and Stephen Hawking as himself

Best Episode in Season 5 = “The Flaming Spittoon Acquistion” is the 10th episode where Amy goes on a date with Stuart which makes Sheldon jealous.  It aired on November 17, 2011.

Major Cast in Season 6: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, and Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom

Recurring Cast in Season 6: John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Carol Ann Susu as Mrs. Wolowitz, Regina King as Janine Davis, Casey Sander as Mike Rostenkowski, Pasha Lynchnikoff as Dimitri Rezinov, Margo Harshman as Alex Jensen, Kate Micucci as Lucy, Bob Newhart as Dr. Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton, Brian Posehn as Dr. Bertram Kibbler, Wil Wheaton as himself, Mike Massimino as himself, and Stephen Hawking as himself

Best Episode in Season 6 = “The Closet Reconfiguration” is the 19th episode where Sheldon rearranges Howard’s closet with consequences.  It aired on March 14, 2013. 

Major Cast in Season 7: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, and Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler

Recurring Cast in Season 7: Recurring Cast in Season 6: John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Carol Ann Susu as Mrs. Wolowitz, Regina King as Janine Davis, Casey Sander as Mike Rostenkowski, Kate Micucci as Lucy, Bob Newhart as Dr. Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton,

Brian Posehn as Dr. Bertram Kibbler, Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom, Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstader, Laurie Metcalf as Mary Cooper, Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom, Brian Thomas Smith as Zach Johnson, Ian Scott Rudolph as Captain Sweatpants, Laura Spencer as Emily Sweeney, Wil Wheaton as himself, Mike Massimino as himself, and Stephen Hawking as himself

Best Episode in Season 7 = “The Scavenger Vortex” is the 3^rd episode where Raj has a scavenger hunt for everyone where it’s Sheldon and Penny, Leonard and Bernadette, and Howard and Amy.  It aired on October 3, 2013. 

Major Cast in Season 8: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, and Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom

Recurring Cast in Season 8: Recurring Cast in Season 6: Laura Spencer as Emily Sweeney, John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Carol Ann Susu as Mrs. Wolowitz, Regina King as Janine Davis, Laurie Metcalf as Mary Cooper, Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali, Alice Amter as Mrs. Koothrappali, Wil Wheaton as himself, Mike Massimino as himself, and Stephen Hawking as himself

Best Episode in Season 8 = “The Misinterpretation Agitation” is the 7^th episode where Leonard, Sheldon, and Howard get locked in the basemetn of Dr. Lorvis because he has a crush on Penny.  It aired on October 30, 2014.

Major Cast in Season 9: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, Kevin Sussman as Stuart David Bloom, Laura Spencer as Dr. Emily Sweeney

Recurring Cast in Season 9: Recurring Cast in Season 6: John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Casey Sander as Mike Rostenkowski, Alessandra Torresani as Claire, Bob Newhart as Dr. Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton, Brian Thomas Smith as Zach Johnson, Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle, Wil Wheaton as himself, and Stephen Hawking as himself

Best Episode in Season 9 = “The Convergence Convergence” is the 24th episode where everyone bickers at the second wedding ceremony of Leonard and Penny.  It aired on May 12, 2016.

Major Cast in Season 10: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, and Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler

Recurring Cast in Season 10: Recurring Cast in Season 6:  Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstader, Brian Posehn as Dr. Bertram Kibbler, Laurie Metcalf, Dean Norris as Colonel Richard Willams, Brian Posehn as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali, John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, and Pamela Adlon as Halley Wolowitz (voice only)

Best Episode in Season 10 “The Long Distance Dissonance” is the 24^th episode where Dr. Ramona Nowitzki has a crush on Sheldon and he flies New Jersey.  It aired on May 11, 2017.

Major Cast in Season 11: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, and Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom.

Recurring Cast in Season 11: Recurring Cast in Season 6: John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Bob Newhart as Dr. Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton, Brian Posehn as Dr. Bertram Kibbler, Laurie Metcalf as Mary Cooper, Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, Regina King as Janine Davis, Dean Norris as Colonel Richard Williams, Brian Thomas Smith as Zack Johnson, Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali, Pamela Adlon as Halley Wolowitz (voice), Joshua Malina as President Siebert, Wil Wheaton as himself, and Stephen Hawking as himself

Best Episode in Season 11 = “The Sibling Realignment” is the 23^rd episode where if Sheldon doesn’t invite his brother to his wedding, his mother won’t come.  It aired on May 3, 2018.

Major Cast in Season 12: Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hoftstadter, Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, Mayim Bialik as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, and Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom

Recurring Cast in Season 12: Recurring Cast in Season 6: John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke, Bob Newhart as Dr. Arthur Jeffries/Professor Proton, Brian Posehn as Dr. Bertram Kibbler, Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali, Joshua Malina as President Siebert, Lauren Lapkus as Denise, Keith Carradine as Wyatt, Rati Gupta as Anu, Brian Thomas Smith as Zach Johnson, Lindsey Kraft as Marissa Johnson, Kal Penn as Dr. Kevin Campbell, and Sean Astin as Dr. Greg Pemberton

Best Episode in Season 12 = “The D&D Vortex” is the 6th episode where Sheldon meets William Shatner on Professor Proton and leads to Dungeons & Dragons hosted by Wil Wheaton.  It aired on February 21, 2019.