Bazinga! Max and Warner Bros. are launching The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast today. Hosted and executive-produced by Jessica Radloff—the New York Times bestselling author of The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series—the podcast will, according to the official description, “analyze and explore every episode starting with seasons one and two, featuring cast and crew who were instrumental in shaping the series.”
Listeners can expect “backstage secrets, never-before-heard stories, and insights into the creative process and decision-making behind each episode,” shared through conversations with guests such as director James Burrows and cast members Kunal Nayyar, Kevin Sussman, and John Ross Bowie.
The inaugural episode dives into the unaired pilot with co-creator Chuck Lorre and former Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman Peter Roth. Additional guests include Sara Gilbert, Christine Baranski, Vernee Watson, and Sara Rue.
New episodes of The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast will drop weekly on Max and all major podcast platforms.
To build excitement for the behind-the-scenes discussions about beloved characters like Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Howard (Simon Helberg), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), and Amy (Mayim Bialik), here are a few fun facts about The Big Bang Theory:
- The show’s original working title was Lenny, Penny and Kenny before it became The Big Bang Theory.
- Penny was originally named Katie in the unaired pilot and portrayed by Amanda Walsh. Her more abrasive personality didn’t resonate with test audiences.
- Penny’s last name was never revealed until she married Leonard, becoming Penny Hofstadter.
- Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar did not appear in the original pilot, which instead featured Leonard and Sheldon encountering a young woman named Katie after a breakup.
- The series wasn’t an immediate ratings hit. It premiered in a modest Monday slot on CBS and ranked No. 68 in its first season. By season 11, however, it had become the No. 1 show in all of primetime.
- Before joining The Big Bang Theory, Mayim Bialik was widely known for starring in NBC’s Blossom. Her character Amy even references Blossom in a season six couples’ costume list.
- Several cast members previously worked together on Roseanne, including Johnny Galecki, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, and Meagen Fay.
- The Big Bang universe now includes three spin-offs: Young Sheldon (2017–2024), Georgie & Mandie’s First Marriage (renewed for season two), and the upcoming Max series starring Kevin Sussman, Brian Posehn, and Lauren Lapkus, with Sussman reprising his role as Stuart.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and Telepictures on a lookback podcast for one of the most beloved sitcoms of our time,” said Becky Rho, senior director of podcasts at Max. “We’re always looking for new ways to amplify and deepen the fan experience for subscribers who can’t get enough of their favorite titles on Max.”
