Which sitcom features Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter?
Quick answer
Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter are the physicist roommates at the center of The Big Bang Theory, a CBS sitcom that ran for 12 seasons and 279 episodes, from 2007 to 2019. Sheldon was played by Jim Parsons, who won four Emmy Awards for the role, and Leonard by Johnny Galecki.
Key facts
- Network
- CBS
- Years
- 2007–2019
- Episodes
- 279
- Creators
- Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady
The main characters
| Character | Actor | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Sheldon Cooper | Jim Parsons | Theoretical physicist |
| Leonard Hofstadter | Johnny Galecki | Experimental physicist |
| Penny | Kaley Cuoco | Neighbor; aspiring actress, later sales rep |
| Howard Wolowitz | Simon Helberg | Aerospace engineer |
| Raj Koothrappali | Kunal Nayyar | Astrophysicist |
| Amy Farrah Fowler | Mayim Bialik | Neuroscientist |
| Bernadette Rostenkowski | Melissa Rauch | Microbiologist |
The show is set in Pasadena, California, where Sheldon and Leonard work at Caltech.
Real science, real scientists
Physicist David Saltzberg of UCLA checked the science for every episode, including the equations on the whiteboards. Famous scientists made guest appearances, including Stephen Hawking, Neil deGrasse Tyson and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Mayim Bialik actually holds a PhD in neuroscience.
Catchphrases and running jokes
- Sheldon’s “Bazinga!” after a joke
- His permanent “spot” on the couch
- The game Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock; see what beats rock
- Knocking three times and saying “Penny” each time
Spin-offs
| Show | Years | Premise |
|---|---|---|
| Young Sheldon | 2017–2024 | Sheldon’s childhood in East Texas, narrated by Jim Parsons |
| Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage | 2024– | Sheldon’s older brother starting a family |
Records
In its later seasons, The Big Bang Theory was often the most-watched comedy on American TV, and its final episode drew about 18 million viewers. It’s the longest-running multi-camera sitcom in US history by episode count.
For another long-running show, see where The Simpsons takes place. For a sitcom about friends in New York, see the coffee shop in Friends.
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