Jim Parsons felt as though it was time to move on, and this caused the end of The Big Bang Theory's run. In truth, most of the cast had anticipated a season 13, but there was no path forward without Sheldon.
Throughout its impressive 12 season run, the show itself saw ups and downs creatively. We're going to reveal some of the top moments, and those that were forgettable. We'll reveal the worst rated episode, along with the show's worst season. In addition, we'll reveal what contributed to Big Bang's worst season, and it appears as though Kaley Cuoco might've been a factor.
Let's take a closer look!
The Big Bang Theory's Worst Episode Took Place During Season 10, But It Wasn't Considered The Worst Season
With a 6.7 rating on IMDb, The Cognition Regeneration proved to be The Big Bang Theory's worst-rated episode. Episode 22 of season 10 saw the return of Zack, who offers Penny a job. The plotline reads, "Leonard is less than thrilled when Penny considers accepting a job offer from her ex-boyfriend, Zack. Sheldon worries that he hasn't reached his full potential soon enough."
It proved to be underwhelming for fans. However, two seasons later, the show put on its best rated episode during the finale. The Big Bang Theory writers and creators were praised for the way the show ended. It wasn't a typical finale and instead, it gave the fans a sense that everything would continue on for the main characters together, without major changes. Of course, aside from a few details like Penny and Leonard becoming parents.
Although season 10 had the show's worst episode, it wasn't considered the worst season. Instead, season 8 was viewed as the very worst, and Chuck Lorre might've predicted this ahead of time.
Chuck Lorre Revealed Kaley Cuoco Took A Major Risk With Her Haircut During Season 8, And It Resulted In The Show's Worst Season
In-between seasons, Kaley Cuoco kept active on the independent film, Burning Bodhi. Although the creators didn't make much of it, they ultimately got very worried once Cuoco returned to the set of the series with her new look. Chuck Lorre saw his most popular character look completely different and he didn't get any type of warning.
Lorre was especially troubled given that he experienced character changing looks in the past, and it would lead to a decline in the ratings department.
Chuck Lorre tells Glamour, "We didn’t have a heads-up on the haircut! When you think back on it, it was startling. I wish we had been in the loop. Had she come to me, I would have told her how the ratings dropped on Dharma & Greg when Jenna Elfman did the same thing. And they dropped on Felicity as well.
He continues, "The audience had become infatuated with the character, and not just the character’s behavior and flaws and strengths, but in how the character looked. They became iconic, and to disregard that audience attachment was a mistake. And I witnessed it firsthand. It would have been the same thing if Johnny [Galecki] had come to the wrap party and had shaved his head. We’re all in this together!"
Ultimately, Lorre was completely right with his assessment as the show received its lowest rating for season 8.
The co-creator called it a small bump in the road looking back. "I love that Kaley recognized it for what it was. She’s very self-aware, and we survived it. As bumps in the road go, that was a small one."
As for the actress, she also showed regret for the moment and not notifying the others prior.
Kaley Cuoco Showed Regret Over Not Telling Anyone About Her Makeover
Kaley Cuoco admitted that she was attempting to shake things up for season 8, and wanted to make a major change. However, that might not have been what fans were looking for in terms of a shakeup. Cuoco also revealed that she felt as though the adjustment would lead to less time in the makeup chair, but it turned out to be the exact opposite.
Kaley reveals, "I don’t know if I was being rebellious. I mean, I did do it for the movie, which was my excuse to cut it. At that point we were heading into our eighth season and something needed to shake up. I was bored and sick of the hair, and what’s funny is I thought by cutting my hair, I would spend less time in the hair and makeup chair, even though I loved the hair and makeup team. And then in my attempt to spend less time on my hair, that decision bit me and it took way longer to do my short hair.
Cuoco continues on, "I was like, This is the worst decision! What was I thinking?! I thought I was cutting off all this time, because I hated going in and getting ready. That’s why I was wearing my hair up so much in season six and seven. So then I cut it and it ended up being more work because it wasn’t easy to style."
Cuoco and the show ended up surviving the mini storm.
