‘The Big Bang Theory’: Mayim Bialik Thinks Sheldon and Amy Had the ‘Longest-Running Nonsexual Relationship’ on TV
The Big Bang Theory ran on CBS from 2007 to 2019. In later seasons of The Big Bang Theory, the friendship between Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) turned into a romantic relationship. The relationship between Sheldon and Amy on The Big Bang Theory was unique for a sitcom couple.
While the couple dated for many years, Sheldon opposed traditional romantic declarations and physical intimacy. For this reason, Bialik thinks the characters might have had the “longest-running nonsexual relationship” on TV.
Sheldon and Amy dated for many years on ‘The Big Bang Theory’
Bialik’s character Amy was introduced at the end of the third season of The Big Bang Theory. Originally, Amy was intended to be a guest star and she has a number of qualities in common with Sheldon when they first meet.
The two begin to spend more time together, and in the fifth season Sheldon proposes that the two date. Amy and Sheldon begin holding hands, and in the seventh season they share their first kiss.
Because Amy craves a relationship with more physical intimacy, the two briefly break up. They get back together, and in the Season 9 episode titled “The Opening Night Excitation,” Amy and Sheldon have sex for the first time after five years of dating.
The Big Bang Theory ran for 12 seasons, and in the Season 11 finale, Amy and Sheldon get married. The final season ends with Sheldon and Amy winning the Nobel Prize in Physics together.
Mayim Bialik never expected Amy and Sheldon’s relationship to be so beloved
In an episode of PeopleTV’s Couch Surfing, Bialik discussed her roles in Blossom, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and The Big Bang Theory. In the interview, she revealed that she did not know the relationship would be so popular with fans.
“I think Jim and I both didn’t know where this relationship would go,” Bialik said.
She continued, “There was a lot to us not being a sexually active couple but still being romantically and intimately interconnected in so many ways. I would say it’s probably the longest-running nonsexual relationship on television, at least that I know of.”
Why Mayim Bialik auditioned for ‘The Big Bang Theory’
In addition to acting, Bialik has a Ph.D. in neuroscience. After she earned her doctorate, she auditioned for The Big Bang Theory so she could have health insurance.
“It is true that after I got my doctorate I had an infant and a toddler and I was running out of health insurance,” she said on PeopleTV’s Couch Surfing. “I had been teaching neuroscience for about five years after getting my degree, and I figured if I could just get a job here or there I would be able to get health insurance.”
Before the audition, Bialik did not know much about the TV series, and she did not think the role would take off if she managed to get the part.
“And I had never seen The Big Bang Theory, I didn’t know what it was. It was a guest spot, possible recurring role, and that’s how I ended up auditioning,” she said. “Then it led to this.”
