The Big Bang Theory’s series finale culminated in Sheldon and Amy being awarded the Nobel Prize for their work in physics, with Sheldon giving a heartfelt speech about everyone who’s supported him along the way. Getting a Nobel Prize had always been one of Sheldon’s goals in life, and it seems the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences took note of that by showing The Big Bang Theory some love during the real-life Nobel Prize ceremony.
Over the course of 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory has made such a huge impact around the world. That was made very clear during the presentation of the Nobel Prize for physics. The ceremony, which took place in Stockholm, Sweden, opened with a reference to the now-concluded CBS sitcom.
Academy member Ulf Danielson quoted the opening lyrics to The Big Bang Theory’s theme song, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state, then nearly 14 billion years ago expansion started...
It was an incredibly fitting way to introduce things, considering the Nobel Prize was being awarded to a trio of scientists who had made advancements in understanding the universe and its evolution post-Big Bang.
The secretary general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Goran Hansson, called The Big Bang Theory a “fantastic achievement” because the show made physics more accessible to millions of viewers. Hansson hoped fans of the CBS hit were pleased with the ceremony and that Sheldon and Amy “are not too disappointed today.”
Though The Big Bang Theory concluded, Sheldon Cooper lives on in Young Sheldon, the prequel sitcom to the long-running CBS show. In fact, during the Season 2 finale, Young Sheldon introduced the younger versions of Sheldon’s friends — Leonard, Raj, Howard, Amy, Bernadette, and Penny — in a sweet scene that showcased what they were doing on the night of the Nobel Prize ceremony years before they met.
Elsewhere, The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik will star in another show together, a multi-camera sitcom that could air on Fox. It hasn’t received a pilot order just yet, but the signs are good for it to eventually air on the network. It might not be a spinoff of Parsons' and Bialik’s Big Bang characters, but it’ll be good for fans to see them onscreen together again.
Despite The Big Bang Theory’s popularity, CBS is actually losing the rights to air the episodes in syndication. The series finale re-aired on the network in September for the last time, and because CBS’ rights to the show have expired, don’t expect the series to reappear on the network anytime soon. Still, the series was a staple on the Eye Network for over a decade and was honored during the Emmy Awards last month, though CBS boss Kelly Kahl did admit that The Big Bang Theory "deserved more respect from the Academy."
Still missing The Big Bang Theory? Catch up with Sheldon's past and future-narration on Young Sheldon, which airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Be sure to check out our complete list of every new and returning show premiering this fall.
