Television
![Jessica Radloff - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B0BFG19JND.jpg)
The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2022 BY GLAMOUR
"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. . . 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." -Jim Parsons
The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the most popular sitcom of the last decade, The Big Bang Theory, packed with all-new, exclusive interviews with the producers and entire cast.
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.
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2022 BY GLAMOUR
"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. . . 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." -Jim Parsons
The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the most popular sitcom of the last decade, The Big Bang Theory, packed with all-new, exclusive interviews with the producers and entire cast.
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.
Editorial Reviews
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
"[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
"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
"Each and every interview subject shares with Radloff the kind of stories that most folks save for their memoirs."―TV Insider
"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
"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'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
"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 det...
"[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
"[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
"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
"Each and every interview subject shares with Radloff the kind of stories that most folks save for their memoirs."―TV Insider
"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
"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'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
"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 det...
Readers Top Reviews
MichelleKindle J
Got this for my husband. He said it is easy reading and really enjoyed it.
LeslieMichelleKin
This book is excellent! If you love the show you will love this book. It literally tells you everything about how the show started to the individual characters to how they decided each scene each prop all the way to how they ended the show. It gives you full details that I never even new. I would highly recommend this if you love the show.
C. DesnoyersLesli
Exceptional book. Did not get hooked onto Big Bang until the third season and the show saved me during the pandemic as it was good clean fun. The book is simply amazing. I loved how everyone had something to say about how the characters progressed and the behind the scenes information where eye opening. Discovered things I wasn’t aware off and was able to then watch some of them on you tube, which was great. Someone who studies people who are on the spectrum will find this book eye opening, I discovered I was an Amy with a touch of Sheldon LOL. It’s a fascinating read, so fascinating that I would love to hear this author speak live about her process and the pure empathy she showed about the people and the show. There is something for everyone in this book and I highly recommend it. This is my first review of a book which shows how impressed I was with it. Bravo to everyone involved.
TomC. DesnoyersLe
I really enjoyed reading the in-depth analysis of the life and times of the BBT. What a great read. I couldn’t put it down. I realized early on just how human these actors were and are. They make acting look easy. As a scientist and meteorologist for over 40 years at a major university, the show was spot-on. The book was well written, very informative and entertaining. Thank you Jessica Radcliffe!
David SeamanTomC.
I begin by admitting that I am a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory. Sometimes we are proud that we didn’t get sucked up into the commercial fantasy world of television. I did not share but did chuckle at the memes that declared “I have never seen an episode of Game of Thrones”. As if this was a monumental achievement worthy of a statue or blue ribbon. But I can’t say that about TBBT. Because it was smart and loving and funny. So with that in mind I must also confess that I am a fan of this book. I’m a Big Bang Nerd and I emerge from the closet with good news: this book is a remarkable work for two reasons. One. It satisfies something in the gossip hungry fans who desire just a little more from CBS and Chuck Lorre Productions. And two. In the future it will serve as a fantastic recording of television history, much the way books about Mary Tyler Moore and M*A*S*H* are today. But this one goes above and beyond what any other cultural phenomenon has done. Hundreds of hours of interviews, mostly by Zoom with the multitudes of actors, producers (meaning writers) directors, ADs, PAs, costumers, set designers, and network executives. All during the pandemic. Every stone is overturned and whom ever set the standard of honesty and openness in the interviews has established an inviting and honest story. When I think of the work that Jessica Radlof did to bring this book to fruition it makes me remember writing thesis’ and dissertations from grad school. Her work in this book is so cleanly done that we never see her as front and center but rather it’s the story that we focus on. And it’s one hell of a story.
