Chuck Lorre’s unyielding guideline that ensured the success of The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon.
The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik has opened up about one very significant rule while working with Chuck Lorre on the popular sitcom. The actress took on the role of Amy Farrah Fowler starting in Season 3 and recently reprised her role alongside Jim Parsons in Young Sheldon.
Her time working on the Emmy-winning TV series helped her gain many insights into comedy. One crucial lesson was a key rule that showrunner Chuck Lorre adhered to was to always prioritize the audience’s perception of what’s funny.
Mayim Bialik Reveals Chuck Lorre’s Golden Rule for Comedy Success
One of the many names behind the success of hit shows like The Big Bang Theory, Dharma & Greg, and Cybill, has been Chuck Lorre, who is also known as the ‘King of Sitcoms.’ And actress Mayim Bialik has revealed the secret behind his success.
During a webinar, The Reality of Non-Reality TV, she revealed one very significant rule that he has always adhered to when it comes to bringing out the best in his sitcoms. The actress shared that despite his extended experience working in such shows, he lets the audience be the ultimate judge of what is funny.
She said, as per CheatSheet,
One of the things he says is if he thinks something’s funny, if the writers’ room thinks it’s funny, if those 250 people in the audience don’t think it’s funny, it’s not funny.
Bialik further explained that Chuck Lorre believes that the true measure of a joke’s success is the live audience’s reaction and if they don’t find it funny, the joke must be changed accordingly.
While she acknowledged that some of the scenes were pre-taped, and do use laugh tracks, they do so by recording a live audience reacting to pre-recorded segments. And sometimes the laughing track is edited for timing purposes.
Mayim Bialik Reflected on The Big Bang Theory as an Exciting Journey
Mayim Bialik embodied the character of Amy Farrah Fowler for almost a decade before the sitcom officially ended after Season 12. And the actress has described her journey on the series as an exciting thrill ride.
In an interview with Fox News, she said, “Being part of The Big Bang Theory… was a thrill.” She further explained that it offered her the opportunity to be employed while doing something that she really enjoyed.
It was a real thrill as an actor to be employed for that long and to be employed at something that I enjoyed so much with people that I enjoyed working with so much. As a neuroscientist in real life, I really enjoyed going to a job where our intellect is appreciated and our characters’ intellects were appreciated.
The actress also reflected on how the dynamic between the castmates has changed since the show ended. While she acknowledged the challenge of recreating the close bond they shared during filming, Bialik also mentioned that she continues to stay in contact with several of her co-stars.
