Why The Big Bang Theory scripts didn't leave room for cast members to improvise

If there's one thing fans love to look for in sitcoms, it's unscripted moments. Scroll down to the comments section under the YouTube video “It's Always Sunny” and you'll surely see someone point out how Rob McElhenney is completely trying not to break in that one take, or how that one actor's line was actually made up on the spot so the other characters' confused reactions were genuine.

There's no such fun on “The Big Bang Theory,” which relies on a format that leaves very little room for the actors to have fun. “Big Bang” has a very tight script. Because we're filming in front of a live audience, it's really like making a filmed piece of theater,” said Melissa Rauch (who plays Bernadette) in the 2016 film The Interview. “I really like it, but you don't want to mess with what they're writing because it's almost like this beautiful concerto where you don't want to mess up a single note.”

It's a respectable approach, similar to that of “Friends,” “Cheers” and most traditional sitcoms. As much as fans might love it The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” strategy of encouraging actors to just riff on each other and see what comedy gold comes out of it. This approach is mostly only possible because there is no studio audience laughing at every joke and slowing everything down. The style of excessive improvisation can lead to unpredictable episode durations; it's fine on HBO, but not on network TV, which has a strict 30-minute time slot and projected commercial breaks.

Despite the cast of The Big Bang Theory sticking closely to the script, there are still a few small moments throughout the show where things don't go according to plan, and we get to see how the actors (and viewers) react to these comments. wonderful rounded balls. There is a brief moment in season 4 where Sheldon (Jim Parsons) throws a stack of papers into the air in frustration, only for one of them to land on his shoulder and sit across from his head for the rest of his line. This wasn't scripted, of course, but it helped emphasize Sheldon's anger even more; he is so pissed at Leonard that he doesn't even notice the newspaper.

This may not sound very exciting, but the show follows the script so closely that it's still one of the most noteworthy surprises for the cast. There are a few smaller moments of improvisation – guest star Wil Wheaton once surprised people by appearing on stage in Spock's uniform, and Stuart (Kevin Sussman) improvising the silent “I love you” line to Penny in season 3 – but viewers rarely get the sense in this show that that actors do something on the spur of the moment. If you're looking for that kind of experience, it's definitely worth watching shows like “Curb,” “New Girl,” “Reno 911!” and “30 Rock.”

There is also something admirable about the show's professionalism, which sticks to the script and always maintains its character. With the cast of “SNL” now appearing in almost every other sketch, the appeal of performers laughing at their own jokes is starting to lose its appeal. This runs the risk of feeling too smug, as if performers think they are so special that they don't even have to try. Critics can say what they want about The Big Bang Theory, but the fact that each actor stays in character throughout the entire series is impressive and something many other sitcoms should probably take note of.