What feels like fourteen billion years ago, a show called The Big Bang Theory hit the small screen. As we’re now approaching its 12th season (wow!), fans are wondering if it will be the concluding installment. After all, it has been on the air for more than a decade. But it seems CBS has another plan in mind. The network is currently in talks to renew The Big Bang Theory for Season 13.
“We don’t believe it’s the final year,” Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment told reporters at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “We are in preliminary discussions to renew the show with Warner Bros.”
Earlier this year, series star Johnny Galecki revealed he wouldn’t be gutted if Season 12 was Big Bang’s finale. “The only manner in which the cast has discussed wrapping [the show] has been that we’re all going to be very sad when that day comes,” he said. “But I think at this point everyone’s very comfortable with 12 seasons being a good time to go home and see our families.”
Showrunner Steve Holland also said he’s working on the assumption that it’ll be the last season. “Until I hear differently, yes,” he divulged. “I know we have next season, but I don’t know what happens beyond that. And it’s not my decision to make. So all I can do is go forward with next season and make it great.”
While Season 13 isn’t cemented, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if CBS makes it happen. The Big Bang Theory still manages to rake in astounding ratings — an 18 million average over the past two seasons — which means it’s a cash cow for the network.
Financial matters aside, does Big Bang really need Season 13? Probably not. The sitcom has run its course. We’ve seen the characters evolve in so many ways. Sheldon went from being completely closed off socially to being Amy’s hubby. Raj, who was incapable of talking to women unless he was drunk, has learned how to confidently relate to the opposite sex. Leonard and Penny, the will-they/won’t-they couple of the show, are happily married, and Bernadette and Howard have started a family. They should end the show now while it’s still possible to wrap it up nicely. Unless, of course, they change the direction of the story drastically and Sheldon, Leonard, etc. find themselves in Mars. Eh, eh?
There’s also the fact that Big Bang is becoming very expensive to produce. The network spends nearly $6 million to compensate the cast alone, and if future seasons aren’t well received, it would end up being a big loss for the network. Perhaps the money would be better spent creating new programs?
At this point, it’s in the show’s best interest to end with a “bang” instead of letting it crash and burn.
They shouldn’t wait for viewers to start flipping the channel and screaming “Bazinga!”
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