Johnny Galecki Struggled with the Way Jim Parsons Handled TBBT Exit
The Big Bang Theory may be compared to Friends a lot, but it seems that the cast's dynamics were a lot different on the two shows. Jim Parsons actually pulled a Sheldon on his way out of TBBT.
The Big Bang Theory is a hit sitcom that ran for 12 seasons and became a fan-favorite for years to come.
While the group seemed so tight-knit on-screen, it wasn't always like that off-screen – the drama that unfolded behind the scenes during the final season proved that!
It was the year 2018, the cast had just started filming season 12 (not knowing that it would be their last), and Jim Parsons dropped a bomb on everyone – he was exiting the show at the end of season 12.
Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady (the show's creators) just solidified that bomb when they revealed that the show would not go on without Sheldon!
The majority of the cast members were shocked but understood and accepted Jim's decision. Johnny Galecki, however, was more upset with how his co-star handled his departure from the show.
The actor felt completely "blindsided" by his colleague's abrupt exit. Galecki talked about how he expected Parsons to have "that conversation with his castmates first" and how "it could have been handled better."
Johnny even went so far as to say, "We're a family; have a conversation." His words make a lot of sense – after all, they all worked together for over a decade.
Apparently, Jim Parsons didn't think so, because he mentioned that, despite the comparisons, The Bing Bang Theory was "a different situation" from Friends, and the way they handled business communication was never family-like. Ouch!
The only person who knew that Jim was having these thoughts was Simon Helberg (and even he was a bit blindsided and upset).
As for Parsons, he wasn't having the best time in his life outside of work (his pet was very ill and things were looking bleak), so he decided that a change of pace (or rather, a major career decision) would do him some good.
The actor spoke privately to the show's creators (and voiced his concern for Mayim Bialik's character's arc without him) and later told his castmates at the next group meeting that season 12 would be it for him.
Parsons didn't feel like he was responsible for his castmates' feelings because he was just following protocols. Jim, be careful, your Sheldon is showing!
Ultimately, the cast seems to have made up and acted professional while filming the final season, so all is well in the end.