I still remember waiting for the last ever Friends episode to air, a finale which left me a mess of laughter and tears.
It’s fair to say that the finale of The Big Bang Theory – which has ran for unbelievable 12 years – will have a comparable effect on many viewers, with its similar focus on close, enduring friendships.
The sitcom which made it hip to be square is finally ending tonight, and it’s time to bid farewell to the endless physics jokes and comic book nights which made this show so distinctive.
The Big Bang Theory premiered in September 2007, and resonated with those who knew the importance of letting your inner geekiness shine when among true friends.
From Star Trek to World of Warcraft, Doctor Who to The Lord of the Rings, this was a show which celebrated nerd culture as a means of bonding.
Rather than opt for the ‘everyman’ characters which can so easily make a sitcom bland and samey, the creators took a risk on the quirky and obscure.
The relationship between Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler grew to be one of the sweetest in sitcom history, despite their respective obliviousness to social norms. Meanwhile, Rajesh Koothrappali’s journey from selective mutism to self confidence was genuinely lovely.
With its laughter track and apartment-based settings, The Big Bang Theory was an old-fashioned sitcom at heart, made fresh with its offbeat humour and a genuine appreciation of scientific exploration.
Although it initially received mixed reviews, later seasons were better received, with critics praising the improved variety of strong female characters, as well as the touching interpersonal relationships.
And now the finale is set to air tonight – at least for American fans – kicking off 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 16 on CBS.
The hour-long finale with reportedly be split into two episodes, entitled The Change Constant and The Stockholm Syndrome.
Speaking with Glamour, executive producer Steve Malaro hinted as to what we can expect:
Some big moments will be checked off, and others will remain elusive. There’s also a chance some things you didn’t even know you wanted answers to will finally be uncovered.
It’s often our goal to keep people surprised, so that was part of [our finale strategy].
Order in from your favourite Chinese takeaway and get the best position on the couch. It’s going to be emotional…
UK fans will have to wait another week before the final two episodes are broadcast on Channel 4’s E4, with the final ever episode aired from 8pm BST on Thursday, May 23.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.