The Big Bang Theory came to a close thanks to Jim Parsons and his decision to move on. However, all options were considered, and Chuck Lorre himself pondered about continuing on without the star, given how many jobs were at stake.
However, ultimately, the right call was made to end the show after 12 successful seasons. Simon Helberg was among the castmates to agree with the decision. This likely stems up from his close relationship to Jim Parsons.
In the following, we'll take a closer look at Parsons and Helberg's friendship behind the scenes. Parsons made mention in a previous interview that he'll miss Helberg the most.
As he revealed, the two had quite the connection behind the scenes. We'll take a look at how close Howard and Sheldon really were behind the camera.
Simon Helberg Agreed And Understood Jim Parsons Decision To Leave The Big Bang Theory
In reality, The Big Bang Theory could have lasted a few extra seasons. In fact, the cast was sure the sitcom was headed for season 13, especially Kaley Cuoco, who broke down following the news that Jim Parsons was not set to return.
Although Simon Helberg was also caught by surprise following the decision, he completely understood why Jim wanted to leave the show.
“I was ready to… get out of the security of the show to fully find out what was next for me," Helberg told TV Fanatic.
“Now, that didn’t mean that we, in any way, expected that the show would certainly end,” Helberg added.
"Or that there wouldn’t be any kind of attempt from the producers or the studio or the network to keep the show running, whether or not we were involved.”
For Jim Parsons, he never felt as though he'd go past 12 seasons, from the start of his journey on the show.
“I don’t think there was a part of me that actually thought I would do more seasons [of Big Bang] after the twelfth."
It was an emotional ending for everyone involved, including Jim Parsons. Despite the fact that he made the call to end the show, it didn't make his departure any easier.
Jim Parsons Missed Simon Helberg The Most, Given Their Close Relationship And Bond Behind The Scenes
It wasn't an easy time for Jim Parsons, when exiting the show. His pet was facing serious health issues at the time, while the actor was also going to miss several of the friendships that he had formed throughout the years. One of them in particular, was with Simon Helberg.
According to Parsons, he was going to miss Simon the most, given that they bonded for years, and spent lots of time in each other's dressing rooms.
"I’ll particularly miss Simon Helberg; we spend a lot of time together, we go back and forth to our dressing rooms, we’ve talked for almost 12 years now," Parsons tells Mirror.
Helberg would further reveal that he'll especially miss the closeness and deep conversations the two would engage in, off camera.
"Six months down the road after we finished, I will be like, I haven’t talked to Simon in a deep way in a long time. And that will be hard."
That close bond between the two was on full display during the finale episode of The Big Bang Theory.
Jim Parsons And Simon Helberg Got Emotional Shooting Their Final Scene Together
The last episode was not an easy shoot, especially at the table read, which saw the entire cast break down. During Sheldon's Nobel Prize speech, we finally see the character open up.
However, one moment in particular was extra special, as we finally see Sheldon refer to Howard as an astronaut. Parsons might've gone off-script during the moment, as he shed a tear following the line.
Viewed by over 2 million fans on YouTube, the top comments were in relation to the emotional moment between Sheldon and Howard.
"No one ever noticed that Sheldon almost chokes up from emotion when he says "astronaut Howard Wallowitz."
Another fan writes, "My eyes filled with tears when after all this time, Sheldon announces “Astronaut Howard Walowitz”. You have to be a BBT junkie to truly appreciate how beautiful that moment was."
A great moment and the perfect send-off for Howard and Sheldon's relationship.
