‘The Big Bang Theory’: The Pilot Episode Almost Opened With a Much Different Conversation
The Big Bang Theory aired its final episode in May 2019. For 12 years, fans connected with Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, and their friends and romantic partners. They became accustomed to Sheldon’s quirks and Leonard’s people-pleasing nature. That wasn’t how it was supposed to be, though. Initially, Leonard and Sheldon were much different characters, and a cut scene from the pilot episode proves it.
‘The Big Bang Theory’ fans agree that Sheldon and Leonard’s sperm bank conversation set the tone for the series
In the pilot episode, Leonard and Sheldon walk into a high IQ sperm bank. The roommates plan to donate their sperm so they can afford a high-speed internet connection. Leonard annoys the receptionist by solving her crossword puzzle in mere seconds. A short time later, the duo is filling out paperwork when Sheldon brings up the ethics of what they are doing.
Sheldon argues that there is no guarantee that their genetic contribution will result in children with above-average IQs. He points to his twin sister working as a hostess at Fuddruckers as proof that the genetic contributions of the same people can result in two vastly different people. The pair sneak out of the bank without donating.
Leonard and Sheldon’s interaction at the sperm bank almost looked much different
The scene, which networks often cut from reruns, seems to set the tone for the series and the relationship between Sheldon and Leonard. While the dialogue is funny, it was originally much different. According to Metro, the scene was much longer and crasser initially.
According to the publication, the deleted content has Leonard making a quip about masturbation. It also paints Sheldon in a much more sexual light. Sheldon was largely uninterested in sex and sexuality in the early seasons of The Big Bang Theory. He found very little need for physical intimacy even after meeting Amy Farrah Fowler. In the deleted scene, Sheldon hints at a specific preference in adult content, suggesting he is a sexual person.
The sperm bank scene wasn’t the only thing changed about the pilot
The sperm bank scene doesn’t seem like an important moment in the series. In the end, it wasn’t, but if the production team had left the scene as it was, it could have changed the entire tone of the series. That wasn’t the only thing about the pilot that changed, though. To ensure the series got to air, showrunner Chuck Lorre had to change a lot, including the famed next-door neighbor and how the guys interacted with her.
Believe it or not, Penny, Leonard’s love interest, wasn’t included in the unaired pilot. Instead, a female lead named Katie was cast. Katie, instead of renting the apartment next door to Leonard and Sheldon, was supposed to live with the duo after they meet her on the street. The original female lead was a hard-partying, dark character, opposed to the ever-bubbly Penny.
Katie was cut from the script when test audiences found the character to be too gruff and mean. Her part wasn’t the only one cut from the unaired pilot, though. The character of Gilda, a female member of the friend group, was also axed after she was ill-received by test audiences. Amanda Walsh portrayed Katie. According to Fandom, Iris Bahr took on the part of Gilda.
