Jim Parsons seems to have a love-hate relationship with his The Big Bang Theory character, Sheldon Cooper. But no, "hate" is too strong a word. "Exasperation" might fit. By now, we know Parsons is the reason why The Big Bang Theory is ending after Season 12. He was ready to leave. Speaking of leaving, Parsons was asked to share a goodbye message for his character and the result was hilarious -- and very Sheldon. Here's how Parsons addressed his alter ego:
Hello Sheldon, this is Jim here. I've helped bring you to life for 12 years now. And now it's time, I suppose, that I'm supposed to say goodbye. So, um -- but you know what, I'll never be able to say goodbye completely. Because A) I helped make you, so I own part of you. And B) playing you for this long will always be part of who I am and has changed me in some ways. I can't say it's made me smarter. Sorry. I'm not even sure it's made me a better person, 'cause you really don't bring those kinds of qualities. I think that, if anything, I've helped make you a better person. But wait a minute, we were saying goodbye. You know what, I'll see you around. You are on syndicated repeats on television all the damn time, so I can't avoid you -- although you get to be free of me. Congrats.
Bazinga! If only Sheldon could share his own response. Jim Parsons has so much Sheldon to him naturally, but it would be fun to see him get into character as Sheldon, saying his own shade-ridden goodbye to the actor who played him all these years. May I suggest several loaded references to the money Parsons has made off Sheldon's back all these years?
Jim Parsons was one of the Big Bang Theory cast members asked to share video messages to their characters for Entertainment Weekly's Instagram. In another clip, Parsons said there was no negative to doing the show, it just felt like they had chewed all the meat off the bone, so to speak, so it was time to say goodbye.
Jim Parsons previously revealed which Big Bang Theory cast member he'll miss the most. Kaley Cuoco (Penny) has been more emotional about saying goodbye, sharing openly that she didn't want the show to end. (She also said she plans to take a specific prop from set as a souvenir.)
It's possible CBS will try to keep the ball rolling with a Penny-Leonard spinoff, but nothing has been announced on that front. Right now, everyone is focused on making the final season the best it can be. They haven't taped the final episode yet -- the finale will be taped on April 30, which is also Kunal Nayyar's (Raj) birthday. That is going to be hugely emotional day for the whole cast.
The Big Bang Theory Season 12, the final season, has 24 episodes. Episode 13, "The Confirmation Polarization," airs Thursday, January 17 at 8 p.m. on CBS. Here's what else is playing during TV's busy 2019 midseason.
