Amy and Sheldon together turned out to be a major reason for the success of The Big Bang Theory. However, looking back, the show took a major risk, especially given how untouchable Jim Parsons was as Sheldon at the time. Fans didn't want the show to touch anything about the character, and that included putting Sheldon in a relationship. Lorre and company took a smart and gradual approach to the story, and it all worked out for the best.
As we'll reveal in the following, that chemistry between Parsons and Mayim Bialik was also very real behind the scenes. We'll take a look at their best outtakes together, while also revealing why they were able to get along so easily on and off-screen.
It truly was a sink or swim type of situation for Mayim Bialik on The Big Bang Theory. She was asked to be 'Sheldon-like' when first appearing on the series. This seemed to be an impossible task. Thankfully, Bialik was able to find her own persona as Amy along the way, and it made the actress a regular on the series, completely changing her career.
Bialik credits a certain aspect as to why she was able to find so much chemistry with her co-star Jim Parsons.
Mayim tells Today, "Jim and I had a lot of nice moments together on set," the actress reveals. "I think one of the things that worked so well for us as actor partners, and maybe as producing partners too, is that we're not overly sentimental as humans, which I think is helpful. It was helpful in our acting and also in the way we kind of processed ending a decade together."
The chemistry was very clear, and that extended to moments off the show as well that didn't make it onto the final cut.
Bloopers between Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik alone have a near 4 million views on YouTube. Clearly, fans want to see more of the duo and their real-life connection. Fans certainly were thrilled to see the many great moments that didn't make it on-air, particularly the parts that see Jim Parsons break character. Given the seriousness of Sheldon, it is quite the visual for fans.
Comments were nothing but positive for the duo.
"It's so adorable how Mayim and Jim really bonded even she entered the cast later. They really make a great comedy duo!"
"Now I understand when people say "his/her smile melted my heart". I feel the same way about Jim's. It's just so adorable and I can't help but smile back (even if it's at screen lol)."
The connection between the two stars was a real one, and Parsons admitted to protecting Bialik behind the scenes, especially if there was ever a thought of removing her role.
Parsons tells EW, "But at some point I felt a certain way about working with Mayim that I was like, If for whatever reason we seemed to be weaning her off of this show as a character, I would go and talk to them."
This just goes to show the respect between the two, and a connection that continued professionally once the show wrapped up.
Back in 2020, it was announced that Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik were reuniting, this time for a new series, Call Me Kat. Bialik was the star, while Parsons was playing the role of executive producer behind the scenes. Unfortunately for the series, despite its major potential, it would only last three seasons. Interest in the show was deemed as the major reason for the early cancelation.
Nonetheless, at the time, the two stars were excited about working together. Bialik also revealed that there were major differences on the show compared to The Big Bang Theory.
"Big Bang Theory was a finely oiled machine when I got there, which was fantastic because there was less pressure on me," Bialik said.
"They all already knew what they were doing. Essentially, I imitated Jim Parsons for the first couple of years, and that seemed to work. Now [on Call Me Kat] we get to build from the ground up… I've never had a job like this. My job on Big Bang Theory was fantastic and life-changing. And my time on Blossom was also fantastic and life-changing… This whole team has made this, for me, the greatest job I ever had."
It remains to be seen if the duo will reunite for another project down the road. It likely won't see Parsons in a starring role on television, given that the actor doesn't have much interest in TV roles in front of the camera.
