The Big Bang Theory became a global phenomenon, thanks in part to the unique characters brought to life by a talented cast. However, one of the main cast members, Kunal Nayyar, who played Raj, almost lost his job after the pilot episode. Showrunner Chuck Lorre’s intervention saved Nayyar’s role, but the story behind it reveals a dramatic clash with CBS executives.
Kunal Nayyar’s Audition and CBS’s Decision
Nayyar’s casting as Raj was a long shot, given his limited experience at the time. His audition was a huge success, with Lorre laughing at his lines. Nayyar himself credits his naïveté towards the role and audition for his success in landing the part.
However, things took a turn for the worse when CBS executives decided to remove Nayyar from the show after watching the pilot. Lorre recalls the shocking moment: “When I landed in New York for the upfronts, I was informed that Kunal wasn’t there. I was like, ‘What do you mean he isn’t here? Why isn’t he here?’ Apparently while I was flying across the country, a CBS executive determined—unilaterally—that Kunal wasn’t right for the role and we would recast that part. Well, I did not respond well. I was furious.”
Lorre’s Fight for Nayyar
Lorre believed that the decision to remove Nayyar was completely unjust, especially since the actor had hardly any lines in the pilot. He stated, “If you go back and watch the pilot, we didn’t really give him much of a chance in that episode. It wasn’t because Kunal didn’t deliver, it was because we still hadn’t quite landed on his character.”
Lorre’s determination to keep Nayyar on the show led him to confront CBS executives. He continued, “I called the execs at CBS and said, ‘You can’t fire him. I cast him, I believe in him, I’ll take responsibility for this decision. He’s my guy.’ If I’m going to fail, I’m going to fail on my own choices. I’m not going to fail on someone else’s choices. I wasn’t about to recast that part because someone else made a decision. It seemed so unfair to cut the actor from the series based on what—the two lines where he whispered to Wolowitz?”
Not the First Time for Lorre
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Lorre had to fight with CBS over casting decisions. He faced pushback when casting Jon Cryer on “Two and a Half Men,” who was labeled a “show killer” due to previous failed pilots. Lorre also had to fight for Melissa McCarthy’s casting on “Mike & Molly,” a decision that later proved to be a great success.
Lorre’s fight for Nayyar paid off, with the actor thriving as Raj for 12 seasons. The incident sheds light on the behind-the-scenes struggles and the importance of a showrunner’s belief in their cast. Lorre’s unwavering support for Nayyar and his willingness to stand up to network executives is a testament to his commitment to his vision and the integrity of the show. It also highlights the often complex and contentious relationship between creative minds and network executives in the world of television.
Leave a Reply