The Big Bang Theory - by Jessica Radloff (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The Big Bang Theory is a television phenomenon. To the casual viewer, it's a seemingly effortless comedy, with relatable characters tackling real-life issues, offering a kind of visual comfort food to its millions of dedicated fans. But the behind-the-scenes journey of the show from a failed pilot to a global sensation is a fascinating story that even the most die-hard fans don't know in its entirety. THE BIG BANG THEORY: THE DEFINITIVE, INSIDE STORY OF THE EPIC HIT SERIES is a riveting, entertaining look at the sitcom sensation, with the blessing and participation of co-creator Chuck Lorre and executive producer Steve Molaro, as well as Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik, and more. Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff, who has written over 150 articles on the series (and even had a cameo in the finale!), gives readers an all-access pass to its intrepid producing and writing team and beloved cast. It's a story of on-and-off-screen romance told in hilarious and emotional detail, of casting choices that nearly changed everything (which even some of the actors didn't know until now), of cast members bravely powering through personal tragedies, and when it came time to announce the 12th season would be its last, the complicated reasons why it was more difficult than anyone ever let on. Through hundreds of hours of interviews with the sitcom's major players, Radloff dives into all this and much more. The book is the ultimate celebration of this once-in-a-generation show and a must-have for all fans"--

Book Synopsis

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the most popular sitcom of the last decade, packed with all-new, exclusive interviews with the producers and the entire cast--from journalist and the host of The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast, Jessica Radloff.

The Big Bang Theory is a television phenomenon. To the casual viewer, it's a seemingly effortless comedy, with relatable characters tackling real-life issues, offering a kind of visual comfort food to its millions of dedicated fans. But the behind-the-scenes journey of the show from a failed pilot to a global sensation is a fascinating story that even the most die-hard fans don't know in its entirety.

The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series is a riveting, entertaining look at the sitcom sensation, with the blessing and participation of co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, executive producers Steve Molaro and Steve Holland, as well as Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik, and more. Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff, who has written over 150 articles on the series (and even had a cameo in the finale!), gives readers an all-access pass to its intrepid producing and writing team and beloved cast. It's a story of on-and-off screen romance told in hilarious and emotional detail, of casting choices that nearly changed everything (which even some of the actors didn't know until now), of cast members bravely powering through personal tragedies, and when it came time to announce the 12th season would be its last, the complicated reasons why it was more difficult than anyone ever led on.

Through hundreds of hours of interviews with the sitcom's major players, Radloff dives into all this and much more. The book is the ultimate celebration of this once-in-a-generation show and a must-have for all fans.

"[An] exhaustive, almost academic oral history ... [T]his book serves as a general, and fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at how television is made." --Vulture

Review Quotes

"The book is a must for any The Big Bang Theory fan, but also a fascinating look at the television industry for even the casual viewer."--Paste Magazine

NAMED A BEST COMEDY BOOK OF 2022 BY VULTURE

"[An] exhaustive, almost academic oral history... [T]his book serves as a general, and fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at how television is made."--Vulture

"The Big Bang Theory, an epic behind-the-scenes oral history by Jessica Radloff, is a must-read book that goes above and beyond. . . I've read oral histories before but none have gone to the level of detail. . . It's impossible to put down and the minute you do, you want to read more!"--Solzy at the Movies

"If you're looking for the perfect Christmas gift for someone in your life who happens to be a big fan of "The Big Bang Theory," there is no better gift than this new book..."--Williamson Daily News

"A definitive and immensely entertaining oral history. . . Filled with delightful memories and charming candid photos, this is a treat for TV fans."--Shelf Awareness

"Each and every interview subject shares with Radloff the kind of stories that most folks save for their memoirs."--TV Insider

"The book is undeniably a valentine to the show."--New York Daily News

"From who was almost cast on the show -- literally Marisa Tomei nearly played Penny -- to the failed pilot that had to be reworked, [The Big Bang Theory] goes into all the behind-the-scenes details, and it's a fascinating read."--Buzzfeed

"[T]here may be no one better to document the series than journalist turned author Jessica Radloff, who undertakes the herculean task in the new, 500-plus page opus, The Big Bang Theory."--Forbes

"[T]his book is an excellent testament to the show that will leave fans wanting to rewatch the entire series. . . This extensive and enjoyable oral history of The Big Bang Theory will make fans feel nostalgic for its glory days."--Library Journal, starred review

"We spent 12 years together in a very safe bubble. There is no one we trust more than Jessica to share all those years on stage 25. You know the characters, now you'll get to know the people who played them."--Kunal Nayyar

"At some point while talking with Jessica, I realized how easy it had been for me to kind of put all 12 years of my time on Big Bang Theory under one general umbrella, as it were. The questions she asked and the information she'd reveal to me from someone else she'd interviewed forced me into a frame of mind where each season - and sometimes each episode - became it's own, separate entity again, revealing how much we as people had changed through this process, how much the characters changed... but also how certain things remained the same. Frankly, it turned into a version of therapy I hadn't realized I'd needed and couldn't have known how much I'd enjoy it, going down memory lane like this."--Jim Parsons

"I knew we would learn things in this book, but...wow."--Simon Helberg

"I'm so excited for fans to finally see my behind-the-scenes Polaroids for the first time. These photos are very special and super personal, so knowing Jess was taking such care with them, as she did with this book, was very comforting to me."--Kaley Cuoco

"Jessica Radloff is the ultimate Big Bang whisperer...if you're a fan of the show, you owe it to yourself to read every fascinating word she unearthed in this incredible book!"--Melissa Rauch

"There is no one more enthusiastic, more knowledgeable, more competent, or more dialed into the pulse of TBBT than Jessica Radloff. Jessica cultivated deep and rich relationships with all of us on TBBT over many years so that she can bring you the most detailed, delightful, and authentic TBBT book there will ever be. Bravo, Jessica, for putting up with us for so many hours of discussion, reminiscence, laughter and tears; thank you for being a part of our show's impact with this thorough and exceedingly well-researched work of art!"--Mayim Bialik

"A fun look at the sitcom megahit. . . Entertaining in its own right, this book examines the how and why behind the success of a landmark series."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Jessica Radloff is the Senior West Coast Editor at Glamour. She joined the brand in 2011 as West Coast entertainment correspondent before becoming West Coast Editor. She regularly appears on Access Hollywood, The Talk, Good Morning America, TODAY, and more on behalf of the brand.

Prior to Glamour, she wrote for AOL, The Huffington Post, Modern Luxury Media, WHERE Los Angeles, and Major League Baseball's St. Louis Cardinals GameDay magazine. She is a member of the Television Critics Association, the Critic's Choice Association, and Screen Actors Guild. She is also an Associate Member of the Television Academy.