Mayim recalls filming the first episode of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ post-cancellation news

“The Wedding Gift Wormhole,” Thursday’s episode was really fun for us to film. It was also really hard. You see, the Wednesday before we filmed that episode, we found out that this would be the final season of The Big Bang Theory.

I remember how hard it was to head out for the cast introductions we do before each show. I started that countdown thing in my head that we humans do. “Only 22 more episodes.” Once we hit the stage, though, I felt like momentum took over for me.

But aside from that weight, the actual filming of the second episode of season 12 was great. The writers wrote me so many funny things to say. And while it was kind of an out-of-character episode—Sheldon and Amy going on a scavenger hunt which they basically created—Jim and I had some good laughs off set and that helped lighten my mood for sure.

The coffee shop that Sheldon and Amy go to on their scavenger hunt was supposed to be the coffee shop where they first had their date. Indeed, it was the same exact set. I was taken back to memories of my first week on set when I was a guest star in the season finale of season 3. I had I think two lines. I was thinner, and my hair was shorter and darker (What Not To Wear had dyed it a raven color, and it was still growing out!). I remember entering from behind the set that day. Somewhere in my body memory, the position my body took almost nine years ago in that very set took over again.

It actually was a special kind of nostalgia: filming in the same set where I first appeared after finding out this would be the last season I will appear as this lovely character our writers have created for me.

Anyway, here are a few BTS tidbits about “The Wedding Gift Wormhole”…

1. The glass wand prop was actually given to one of our writers as a gift, and he never figured out what it was—hence the plot of this week’s episode. Since we only had one, we had to be very careful with it so as not to drop or damage it, which would make “matching” it impossible. We used a “stand in” wand for rehearsal to reduce the amount of time we actually handled the real one.
2. Brian Posehn (who plays Bert) had a mouthful of words to say in this week’s episode, and I would have had to ask for cue cards to get through his speech about igneous molten whatever he had to say. It took him a few takes, but he nailed it! I adore how he delivers every single one of his lines. He’s hilarious.
3. Jim and I both found the finding of the locket kind of silly, and all week I kept wondering how I could make it more authentic. Once we did it in front of the audience, it felt so much more… real. And it was fun. And it felt like I could poke fun at my character and still feel genuine. I think it came out really sweet.
4. Yes, that was actual gum Sheldon pulls out from under the table.

What did you think of “The Wedding Gift Wormhole”? Let me know below. And be sure to come back next week for my thoughts on the episode where I make a significant change to my appearance. (Look for it, and see if you can guess what it is before the next episode airs!)