Mayim Bialik scored a massive win over Kate Micucci by securing the role of Amy Farrah Fowler in The Big Bang Theory.
Besides its witty science jokes, The Big Bang Theory also became one of the most popular sitcoms for its unique set of characters. Each character brought a distinctive style that made the CBS show so special to watch. Mayim Bialik’s Amy Farrah Fowler was also such a character who became insanely popular after her introduction in Season 3.
The Big Bang Theory played a major role in Mayim Bialik’s career. But it is interesting to think that we almost got a different version of Amy. Before Bialik was finalized in the role of Sheldon Cooper’s love interest, Kate Micucci was also a potential choice. Surprisingly, Micucci later appeared as Lucy in Season 6.
Kate Micucci faced a massive downgrade because of Mayim Bialik
When The Big Bang Theory was first developed by Chuck Lorre it was very different from the final product that we love now. Several of its cast members including Kaley Cuoco had a different character in the show during its initial phase. Something similar also happened with Mayim Bialik, whose role as Amy was almost taken by Kate Micucci.
In Jessica Radloff’s book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, several tidbits about the show’s background are revealed. In the book, Chuck Lorre admitted that Mayim Bialik had a major upper hand in the competition against Micucci due to her real-life scientific background (She has a PhD in Neuroscience).
According to /Film, casting director Ken Miller remembered that Chuck Lorre was so supportive of Bialik as her approach to the character of Amy was very similar to Jim Parsons’ Sheldon.
Chuck said, ‘You know, we’re looking for a female version of Sheldon,’ and Mayim goes, ‘I got it.’ She knew exactly what she was going to do with the character.
Still, it was not the end for Kate Micucci as she later returned to the show as Kunal’s love interest Lucy. However, it was a massive downgrade from Amy as Mayim Bialik earned almost $10 million for the final two seasons (via Celebrity Net Worth). Lucy was also an extremely minor character compared to Amy.
Mayim Bialik also contributed significantly to The Big Bang Theory‘s clever jokes
The fans can never stop thinking about the witty scientific jokes in The Big Bang Theory. Some of them are still insanely popular in memes. But none of the OG cast members were so well-acquainted with science. With the introduction of Mayim Bialik, the show also got someone to look over those jokes’ authenticity.
During a chat with Conan O’Brien, Mayim Bialik confessed that occasionally she used to help the show by correcting the scientific jokes or any other reference to neuroscience.
The $20 Million-worth actress also appreciated the sitcom for showing that scientists are more than one-dimensional people. Bialik also added that TBBT helped to normalize the nerd culture like no other show. Following TBBT‘s conclusion, the 48-year-old actress recently also appeared in the finale of its prequel spinoff series Young Sheldon.
