The Big Bang Theory's Lost Penny: How Its Original Setting Could Have Drastically Altered the Show!

Kaley Cuoco's character Penny in The Big Bang Theory would have been impractical if the show had kept its original setting. The initial pilot for the show underwent significant revisions, with most of the cast being replaced. The original character Katie, played by Amanda Walsh, was replaced by Penny, portrayed by Cuoco, who was kinder and friendlier. Additionally, the character Gilda, played by Iris Bahr, was transformed into Howard and Raj, played by Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar respectively, completing the initial five-person group in Pasadena.

In its early years, The Big Bang Theory heavily relied on its original cast, with Penny being the sole main character before the addition of Amy and Bernadette in season 4. This resulted in some narrative issues that are now regretted by those involved in the project. These issues included the objectification and sexualization of Cuoco's character, as well as confining her to the stereotype of a dumb blonde, which contrasted with the scientific background of the other characters. Despite these shortcomings, it is hard to imagine the show without Penny, a possibility that could have occurred if the show had not changed its location.

Big Bang Theory Was Supposed To Be In The East Coast (Not In Pasadena)

Over the years, there have been numerous discussions surrounding the original pilot of The Big Bang Theory. Although the full episode cannot be found online, snippets of it have been shared on social media, giving fans the opportunity to see parts of it for themselves. While the most impactful changes to the show were the recasting of the lead female role and the addition of Howard and Simon, there were also lesser-known alterations made. In a recent interview, Parsons revealed that the original plan for The Big Bang Theory was for it to be set on the East Coast.

Despite the fact that the sitcom had very few outdoor scenes and was primarily filmed on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, the cast mostly shot the series inside a sound stage. It would have been easy to create a fake East Coast location, as many other shows have done in the past, such as Friends and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. However, it is difficult to imagine The Big Bang Theory not taking place in Los Angeles, with the cast not being in Pasadena. All four main male characters, as well as Amy, worked at Caltech.

East Coast Big Bang Theory Would Mean Kaley Cuoco's Penny Wouldn't Work

Parsons did not disclose the specific location on the East Coast where The Big Bang Theory was originally intended to be set before the pilot was revised. However, considering that the show aimed for realism with some elements of fantasy, it is possible that co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady had intended to place it in Massachusetts, where prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT are located. This would have necessitated several alterations, especially in regards to Sheldon, who often made jests about both universities. He particularly made fun of MIT because it was Howard's alma mater, and he harbored animosity towards him for being an engineer, as explained in Young Sheldon.

However, setting TBBT in Massachusetts, or even in Boston, would have made it impossible to introduce Cuoco's character Penny. In the sitcom, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, although she ultimately did not succeed and had to give up on her dream. This was a significant aspect of Penny's storyline in The Big Bang Theory. The entire New England region is not known for its entertainment industry, therefore it would have been difficult to justify Penny's decision to move to Massachusetts with the desire to become an actress. New York could have been plausible in this regard, but institutions like Columbia and New York University do not hold the same level of prestige in the boys' fields of study.

How Penny's Absence Would Have Changed Big Bang Theory

Penny was unjustly treated in The Big Bang Theory. Howard subjected her to harassment, while Sheldon relentlessly mocked her and her intelligence. However, the sitcom would likely have failed without her. The show's success became evident when Cuoco came on board to replace Walsh's Katie. Penny displayed kindness and understanding, but she also had her limits, creating an intriguing dynamic between her and the male characters. In fact, she served as the viewers' perspective, enabling comedic moments that made the socially awkward characters relatable to the public.