The Big Bang Theory was a light-hearted sitcom, lasting 12 seasons. However, behind the scenes, things were a little more intense during the 12th season, especially when Jim Parsons made his announcement that he wouldn't be returning.
The decision caught a lot of the cast off-guard, as his co-workers weren't expecting such an announcement. The only cast member that knew, was Simon Helberg. The cast struggled with the decision and Kaley Cuoco herself couldn't make eye contact with Parsons the following day at the tapings.
We'll take a look back at Jim Parsons side of it, and how the actor felt about ending the show. We're also going to reveal how Parsons felt about continuing on for an extra season in a limited role. As it turns out, the sitcom star wasn't into this idea either.
Jim Parsons Felt Like A Liar During The First Table Read For Season 12 Of The Big Bang Theory
For 12 seasons, Jim Parsons was a major part of The Big Bang Theory's success. However, entering season 12, the actor knew his time on the show was up.
According to the actor, he planned on bringing the topic up during negotiations for the following season, however, that moment didn't come, and before he knew it, the show was doing a table read for season 12. It was at that point, in which the actor realized it was time to speak up.
He said, "I felt like a liar at that [first] table read, because I knew that at the end of these next 24 episodes, that was it for me," Jim recalled in the book. "So I asked Chuck [Lorre] and Steve [Molaro] if we could talk."
The decision sent shock waves among the cast. However, Parsons had his own worries about making the call to end his run on the show, especially if an offer was put in place to shoot one more season, with a condition in place.
Jim Parsons Worried The Show Would Offer Him A Limited Contract For Season 13 Of The Big Bang Theory
We've seen this formula in the past before. A star decides to leave the show, but still makes cameos here and there. That was the case with Topher Grace on That '70s Show, who returned for the finale. However, it was clear when the actor left the show, it was never the same.
This likely would have been the case had Parsons stepped down, and the show continued without him. According to Buzz Feed, the actor worried he'd be offered something like a six episode agreement to appear in the 13th season.
Buzz Feed writes, "Jim even thought about what would happen if Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro asked him to be in only "six episodes or something" of a hypothetical Season 13, and Jim knew that was something he didn't want to do."
The actor had another worry if the show continued, and that was the future of Mayim Bialik. Parsons didn't want his decision to lead to her departure as well. However, there was no discussion and attempt to continue the series without the actor.
The Creators Never Even Considered Continuing The Show Without Jim Parsons
Despite Parsons' concerns about the show continuing on, there were never any discussions. Steve Molaro, the show's showrunner made mention that there was no consideration ever made to resume once Parsons made his announcement.
“There was never a question about continuing on without him,” Molaro explained in the oral history. “The show was this ensemble and the thought of doing some strange version without him didn’t seem right.”
As for Jim Parsons, he understood the show could've continued, but they had already done a lot throughout their 12 seasons.
"There is no negative reason to stop doing Big Bang. It felt like we have been able to do this for so many years now, it doesn’t feel like there is anything left on the table. Not that we couldn’t keep doing it, but it feels like we’ve chewed all the meat off this bone.”
Although the cast initially had a hard time processing the decision, they all understood that it was time to move on from the sitcom.