The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory is a CBS sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady that premiered on September 24, 2007.

Premise
Two male scientists in their twenties live together in a two-bedroom apartment, and work together at Caltech. Leonard Hofstadter is an experimental physicist, and Sheldon Cooper is a theoretical physicist. They live across the hall from current Cheesecake Factory waitress and aspiring actress/writer Penny. Leonard and Sheldon's intellect and awkwardness contrast with Penny's social skills and common sense.

In addition, Howard Wolowitz and Rajesh Koothrappali (Raj) are equally socially awkward. Howard is an engineer that lives with his mother, and Raj is terrified of talking to women. They spent much of their time hanging out with Leonard and Sheldon at their apartment.

Production History
The pilot episode, simply titled "Pilot", directed by James Burrows, led to a 13-episode order on May 14, 2007. Prior to the premiere of the show on CBS, the pilot episode was distributed on iTunes free of charge.

On October 19, 2007 the show was picked up for a full 22-episode season, the first new comedy of the 2007-2008 season to be given a full season.

Production on the show was halted on November 6, 2007 by the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike.

On February 14, 2008, CBS officially picked up The Big Bang Theory for a second season along with eleven other shows for the 2008-2009 television season.

The show returned on March 17, 2008 with an earlier time slot and nine new episodes.

The second season premiered on September 22, 2008.

David Saltzberg, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of California, checks scripts and provides dialogue, math equations and diagrams used as props. He says he's more consultant than contributor. Executive producer/co-creator Bill Prady said, "In fact, we're working on giving Sheldon an actual problem that he's going to be working on throughout the (first) season so there's actual progress to the boards ... We worked hard to get all the science right."

In a December 2008 Parade magazine article, creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady acknowleged that the two main characters are named after legendary producer Sheldon Leonard.

Cast

 * Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hofstadter, PhD.
 * Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, PhD.
 * Kaley Cuoco as Penny
 * Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, M.Eng.
 * Kunal Nayyar as Rajesh Koothrappali, PhD.

Recurring Guest Stars

 * Mark Harelik as Eric Gablehauser, PhD.
 * Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle, PhD.
 * Sara Rue as Stephanie Barrett, M.D.