The Big Bang Theory is one of the most beloved modern-day sitcoms and has had a huge cultural impact. The show was centered around a group of scientists in LA and their adventures in navigating the social world after the entry of an attractive neighbor. Jim Parsons, who played Sheldon Cooper, won four Emmys for his role.
While the show had a perfect pilot that established the four lovable nerds, it was actually the second one made for the show. Though not that different, the first unaired pilot had some variations in characteristics and plot. However, one key difference in Sheldon’s character that fans were not ready to accept was his s*xualization in the unaired pilot.
Sheldon Cooper Was So Different In The Big Bang Theory’s Unaired Pilot
Fans love the train-loving, arrogant physicist Sheldon Cooper due to the same characteristics. He is a nerd, who is obsessed with Star Trek, Doctor Who, and comic books while being the smartest of the bunch in The Big Bang Theory. What makes him even more comical is despite his extensive knowledge, he is socially awkward and inexperienced.
Actor Jim Parsons played him to perfection in all twelve seasons of the show and even returned to be a narrator on the spinoff show Young Sheldon. The actor won four Emmys for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for the role and even won a Golden Globe. Parsons and Johnny Galecki were the only two actors retained from the unaired pilot.
While Sheldon is known for his lack of understanding of social cues, he was less oblivious in the unaired pilot for the show. The first version of the pilot saw him and Leonard in a sperm bank and actually donating samples instead of running away like in the actual pilot. However, one key difference is that Sheldon is shown to have preferences, which fans did not like.
Good thing this was not aired
-Alik013
I like that Wills Mum is in it lol. Leonard was still great in this! Sheldon was way too sexual compared to the actual series, though it was pretty cool to see a historic glimpse of how ‘Sheldon’s spot’ sort of started out. The ‘Weird Science’ music feels cheesy af and out of place lol. The lighting is very dark and it looks like they are living in a slum which makes it feel kinda depressing. It wasn’t the worst thing i’ve ever seen, glad it didn’t make it as official though!
-KomitoDnB
This was weird, it feels nothing the the BBT we know and love but their are still some jokes and moments that made me go, hang on, they kept that in.
-DomNessMonster07
Everything about this is wrong. Sheldon being so sexual is wrong. Them being so poor is wrong. This girl is wrong
-lucysteele1
Completely unwatchable.
-DiscombobulatedLuck8
Sheldon makes multiple references to his preferences in women and even mentions that he has seen n*de women (all of whom were not relatives). Though Leonard is the one who invites Katie (a previous iteration of Penny) into the fold, Sheldon still seems to be partly interested in her, which is the stark opposite of what fans saw in The Big Bang Theory.
The Big Bang Theory Creator Said The Original Pilot Sucked
The Big Bang Theory was co-created by the sitcom king Chuck Lorre along with Bill Prady. Lorre is known for many hit sitcoms such as Dharma & Greg, Cybill, Two and a Half Men, and more. Many of his shows have gone on to become sitcom classics and have had longevity.
However, the first iteration of The Big Bang Theory might have been a stinker had the network accepted it. The unaired pilot differed in many ways from the show, including a different lead actress, a lack of Howard and Raj, and a terrible opening theme. Lorre mentioned in an interview at the San Diego Comic-Con in 20008 (via CBR),
We did the ‘Big Bang Pilot’ about two and a half years ago, and it sucked…but there were two remarkable things that worked perfectly, and that was Johnny and Jim. We rewrote the thing entirely, and then we were blessed with Kaley, Simon, and Kunal.
The rejection of the pilot allowed the makers to change many things about the show and characters, including introducing Penny, played by Kaley Cuoco.
The Big Bang Theory is available to stream on Max.
