The Big Bang Theory is an incredibly successful show that inspired a whole franchise. With its 12 seasons and two full-blown spin-offs, it’s hard to believe this wasn’t even going to be the title of the series. At some point in production, The Big Bang Theory was going to be called “Lenny, Penny, and Kenny.” As happens with most sitcoms at the time of its creation, writers considered other options when crafting the show we all know and love. The Big Bang Theory could have had very different characters and a much less appealing title, so it’s safe to say it all turned out for the better.
People might believe that the title of a sitcom doesn’t really affect it, but in the end, it’s the audience’s first approach to the show. An off-putting title can totally change someone’s opinion on watching a new series if they don’t have much information about it. A title like “Lenny, Penny, and Kenny” wouldn’t have appealed to geeky audiences that relate so much with these characters, for example. This means that the beloved sitcom Young Sheldon probably wouldn’t have existed either, as Sheldon’s character (named Kenny at the time) was very different and way less likable. “Young Kenny” simply doesn’t sound like something viewers would have liked to watch. Marketing a show is a complex machine, and with this unimaginative name, The Big Bang Theory might have died in its early days.
The Big Bang Theory Could Have Been a Very Different Show
With a Different Title, Opening Theme, Title, and Even Characters and Premise
Before The Big Bang Theory’s official pilot, another pilot was produced, but it wasn’t picked up. It featured Jim Parsons’ Sheldon and Johnny Galecki’s Leonard, but other characters were absent. Instead of Penny, Howard, and Raj, the characters were friends of Katie and Gilda, two radically different girls. The former, a street-smart, sarcastic woman, ends up living with the nerdy pair. The funniest part is that Sheldon was way more sexual, maybe having both the current Sheldon’s and Howard’s personalities. The reception wasn’t great, so the network allowed the writers to come up with another version of the pilot, the one fans know and love today. The team maintained the beloved duo, but with a less sexual Sheldon that seemed to be more likable for the audience. Kaley Cuoco’s Penny replaced Katie, Glinda was completely written off, and they added Howard’s and Raj’s characters.
At some point in the production process, the writers considered using the title “Lenny, Penny, and Kenny,” which implied that those characters would be the main focus of the series. At that point, Sheldon was going to be named Kenny, which explains the last name in the title. When the writers went for the names Leonard and Sheldon (honoring TV figure Sheldon Leonard), they dropped the aforementioned title.
What’s more, “The Big Bang Theory Theme” wasn’t yet the opening song, but Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me with Science.” It was not until later that Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady approached the Canadian band Barenaked Ladies when they heard them rap a song about the Big Bang in one of their concerts. This could mean that this was the origin of the iconic title The Big Bang Theory, and that’s a good thing because Lenny, Penny, and Kenny was a terrible one, and “Lenny, Penny, and Shelly,” if it was ever considered, doesn’t sound much better.
“Lenny, Penny, and Kenny” Could Have Completely Ruined The Big Bang’s Theory Success
Shows Like Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 Died Early Because of Their Poor Titles
A title is one of the many aspects of a sitcom that can make it a hit or a failure. As the first element the audience usually knows about the show, it is key to getting people’s attention. Many funny, interesting, and well-written sitcoms don’t make the cut simply because of their title. Fans believe that Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 was canceled because of its wordy, brazen, and unappealing title. Something similar happened with Kevin Can F**k Himself, especially since many people might have missed the reference to Kevin Can Wait.
Even successful shows can suffer from a bad title, gaining reasonable popularity but never becoming truly timeless. For example, many fans acknowledge that Schitt’s Creek’s off-putting title kept them away from the show for a long time. It wasn’t until they encountered a particularly funny scene or a great recommendation that they decided to give the show another shot. It comes from the expression “up sh*t creek, without a paddle,” which means that someone is in an awful place. However, not many get the reference, and it ends up not telling much about the series. The same happens with sitcom titles like Selfie, which doesn’t say much about the show, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which sounds a little misogynist, and New Girl, which sells itself as a sitcom for girly girls, which is not totally true.
Great sitcom titles manage to sum up the premise of the series in very few words without limiting the scope of the show, in case it needs fewer or more characters or a change in angle as the show progresses. Friends is simply about a group of friends. It was supposed to be called “Six of One” or “Insomnia Café,” but Friends is simple and to the point. It already suggests that people are going to see a feel-good series focused on friendship and wholesome dynamics, in a way that “Six of One” doesn’t convey. Modern Family is also a terrific title because it already informs the audience that they are going into a family sitcom that examines new and innovative relationships. The same happens with popular and iconic titles like That ’70s Show, Sex and the City, The Office, and many others that make sure to keep them sweet, brief, and descriptive.
Other titles, like Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Parks & Recreation, might not be as descriptive, but they convey some of the series’ vibe. Brooklyn Nine-Nine already refers to a police precinct, as that’s how it is worded, while Parks & Recreation is a basic government office. While not as straightforward as the others, they still give away the genre and the vibe. The same happens with The Big Bang Theory. It might not exactly describe the setting of the show, but it leads the audience into the physics and academic themes of the series, perhaps even piquing their curiosity.
Lenny, Penny, and Kenny is simply not a good title because it doesn’t really tell the audience anything. The only thing people know is that there will be three characters, one of whom is a woman. The dynamics between them are unknown, and people would have been put off by that lack of information. Furthermore, the cheesy alliteration of the three name diminutives suggests a slapstick comedy of sorts, such as The Three Stooges or the cartoon Ed, Edd, and Eddy, which is not at all what The Big Bang Theory is about. Additionally, Lenny, Penny, and Kenny would have left out many other equally beloved characters that truly make the show better: Howard, Raj, Amy, and Bernadette.
The Big Bang Theory Creatively & Innovatively Alludes to the Main Themes of the Show
The Meaning Behind The Big Bang Theory Title
The Big Bang Theory might be a puzzling title, but it is perfect for the series. Sheldon is a theoretical physicist, while Leonard is an experimental physicist. The Big Bang is a physical theory that tries to explain the creation of the universe, which started with a “big bang” that continually expanded the world as we know it, much like the iconic opening song explains. The name, therefore, suggests the academic and scientific environment of the show, especially since these are highly intelligent individuals who work doing physical research at a university.
However, the name could also have been intended as a pun on “bang,” which in slang means to have sex with someone, which is what this group of geeky young men — except for Sheldon — want to finally do, especially with their hot neighbor, Penny. Combined with the theme song, The Big Bang Theory’s title created a unique vibe that truly resonated with audiences and gave the show a quirky, scientific, yet playful tone.
