We can’t imagine “The Big Bang Theory” without Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Howard and Raj. And yet, one of them almost got kicked out of the series after the first episode…
We know how The Big Bang Theory could have been very different from the sitcom we know today. As we told you recently, the original pilot presented a version without Penny (and therefore without Kaley Cuoco) but with a certain Katie as the third main character of the series alongside Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard ( Johnny Galecki) – and above all, no Howard (Simon Helberg) or Raj (Kunal Nayyar) around but a scientist named Gilda in their place. The two friends finally came to complete the Sheldon-Leonard duo to make a shock quartet which entertained us for 12 seasons. But one of them almost got fired after filming the new pilot episode…
It’s in the book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story Of The Epic Hit Seriess that series creator Chuck Lorre told the anecdote in question. A manager of the CBS television channel had in fact decided to dismiss Kunal Nayyarour international Raj Koothrappali!
Chuck Lorre to the rescue
As Chuck Lorre said (via ScreenRant), he himself was not informed. When he landed in New York for the traditional “upfronts”, these events during which American channels present their new programs, and therefore during which The Big Bang Theory was also to be announced, he learned at the airport that Kunal Nayyar wasn’t there for the presentation because a CBS executive decided the actor wasn’t the right person for the role.
Chuck Lorre was then furious: not only because he had not even been consulted, but also because relying on a pilot alone to judge the actor’s performance was not sufficient. After all, her character isn’t the focus of the first few episodes – and doesn’t even speak in Penny’s (or any other woman’s) presence!
CBS Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar in the pilot of “The Big Bang Theory” (2007)
The showrunner therefore called the channel directly and simply opposed the dismissal of Kunal Nayyar. He made it clear that he believed in himself and took responsibility for it. Those in charge then trusted him.
Eventually, Chuck Lorre was right: Kunal Nayyar was made for the role of Raj and we can’t imagine another actor in his place. With his participation, The Big Bang Theory has become one of the most acclaimed – and most watched – sitcoms of all time with its 12 seasons and no less than 280 episodes… including 279 with Kunal Nayyar exactly !
The Big Bang Theory is currently available to watch in its entirety on Netflix and Prime Video.