I loved this show. And to think that it was nearly cancelled before it ever got off the ground.
this would have never got off the ground. the crass homeless Penny (Katie) living on the streets and piggybacking off those guys would have never flown. Or Sheldon as promiscuous.
At 2:17 when the creator (or producer?) says “we didn’t understand how fragile these characters were” was an epiphany. They were fragile. They were the geeks we all know. Down the road in a great episode where a girl moves into their building and toys with them, Penny tells her “they don’t have shields” I thought that a poignant a moment as ever was on that show…
7:41 was Penny’s hiring. Marissa Tomei wanted that role? Wow. The Cuoco girl was perfect in hindsight.
They got their act together at the last minute before the Pilot.
Love this show. This was interesting.
Kaley Cuoco as Penny was a genius-level change. Sometimes you think back to big-time stars that were supposed to star in movies - like Tom Selleck as the original choice for Indiana Jones - and wonder what would have been.
This is absolutely fascinating. I never watched a lot of the series, but my wife is a huge fan. I am so glad that first piece of trash was … trashed. LOL Of course, I hate 2.5 Men.
Love the show. It is so good that they cast Kaley Cuoco as Penny. Nothing against Katie. She is a marvelous actor on her own. Some of the first season dialogues that got me hooked.
From the first aired pilot episode
Lenorard: Our babies will be both beautiful and intelligent.
Sheldon: Not to mention imaginary.
Another one
Leslie: Hello, Sheldon.
Sheldon: [looks terrified] Leslie Winkle!
Leslie: Yeah, Leslie Winkle! The answer to the question, “Who made Sheldon Cooper cry like a little girl?”.
A few more
Amy: It says here you can get an annulment if any of the following conditions were met: Were you unable to consummate the marriage?
Sheldon: Penny!? Ha! Next …
The final gem from S02, Episode 3
Gablehauser: People, I am very busy today.
Sheldon: I realise that Dr Gablehauser but it is your job, as head of the department, to mediate all inter-departmental disputes. University policy manual chapter four, subsection two, mediation of inter-departmental disputes.
Gablehauser: Fine. Dr Winkle, what colourful name did you call Dr Cooper this time?
Leslie: Dr Dumbass.
Gablehauser: Dr Cooper, Dr Winkle apologises.
Sheldon: No she doesn’t.
Leslie: No I don’t.
I think Leslie won every Leslie vs Sheldon dust up 
.
This show had so many gems..