10 Hidden Easter Eggs in ‘The Big Bang Theory’

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The Big Bang Theory” is a highly influential sitcom that has made its mark on modern television. Often referred to as the ‘nerdy’ version of “Friends”, it chronicles the lives of a group of intellectually gifted but socially awkward individuals in their twenties and thirties. The show ran for an astonishing 12 seasons, a remarkable feat in TV terms, airing from 2007 to 2019. Just like its title suggests, “The Big Bang Theory” gained immense popularity, giving rise to a vast interconnected universe. This success led to the creation of a prequel series, “Young Sheldon”, and a spin-off series centered around Sheldon’s older brother, titled “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage”. Reports indicate that a fourth series is being developed for the beloved supporting character, Stuart.

The popular sitcom The Big Bang Theory significantly boosted the careers of several actors, such as Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, and Johnny Galecki. I’m guessing you already knew that, right? However, there might be some Easter Eggs hidden in the show that even its most devoted fans may have missed. So, let’s take a closer look at 10 Easter Eggs scattered across The Big Bang Theory‘s 12 seasons using Sheldon’s time machine as our guide!

10
The Batman Jar

The Batman cookie jar was one of the earliest items to appear on the television show, not in reference to the Big Bang cosmic event; specifically, it was featured in episode 13 of season 7 titled “The Bat Jar Conjecture,” where Leonard presented Sheldon with this Batman cookie jar after removing him from their Physics Bowl competition team.

In the early episodes, many viewers may have overlooked it amidst the clutter of props. However, the distinctive Batman cookie jar was a consistent presence in Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment, visible even in the background scenes. This iconic jar was there at the start, and surprisingly, it made an appearance in the show’s last episode as well.

9
Wil Wheaton’s House Number Is a Nod to ‘Star Trek’

Star Trek” is a beloved science fiction series for Sheldon and his companions. During the show’s episodes, several real-life “Star Trek” actors appear as characters portraying themselves in a fictional setting, such as Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, and William Shatner.

In the popular series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wil Wheaton portrayed the less-admired character Wesley Crusher, who served on the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D). Interestingly, in another show, The Big Bang Theory, his house number was a nod to this role – it was number 1701.

8
The Characters Did Their Laundry From the Previous Episode

Besides bantering about theoretical scenarios and delving into astronomy, the characters from “The Big Bang Theory” frequently engage in a mundane yet unavoidable task – doing laundry. It seems that even genius scientists can’t avoid this tiresome duty.

As a cinephile, I must point out an intricate detail often overlooked, especially when binge-watching: the clothes worn by characters don’t change haphazardly. Instead, they’re meticulously washing and drying their wardrobes from the previous episode – a testament to the exceptional attention to detail in continuity!

7
A Judge Is Named After Marvel Legend Jack Kirby

Stan Lee is frequently seen as the originator of Marvel Comics due to his role in writing, publishing, and jointly creating some of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes. It’s important to note that I said jointly. Jack Kirby was a crucial collaborator for Stan Lee. In tandem, they created characters like the Avengers, Black Panther, Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, X-Men, and numerous others. While Kirby’s contributions are significant, he often fades into Lee’s vast shadow of recognition.

In the 16th episode of season 3, titled “The Excelsior Acquisition”, Stan Lee made a special appearance. Regrettably, Jack Kirby passed away in 1994, preventing him from appearing alongside Stan Lee on an episode of The Big Bang Theory. However, his spirit was very much present. The judge who sentences Sheldon to jail in that particular episode is named after the comic book legend, going by J. Kirby.

6
Howard’s Belt Buckle Is the Show’s Logo in the Finale

Characters from The Big Bang Theory each have distinct styles. Sheldon tends towards plain t-shirts rather than long-sleeved white shirts, while Howard adorns himself with some of the most stylish and creative belt buckles you could imagine. Even if you’re not a nerd yourself, it’s hard not to admire Howard’s fashionable belt buckles. Over the seasons, they’ve ranged from iconic symbols like Batman’s emblem to vintage items such as an old-school Nintendo controller.

In the final episode, Howard sported an exceptional belt buckle, a detail keen-eyed viewers had barely noticed before. This subtle touch was a clever nod to the series, making it a memorable meta moment within the show.

5
The Cast Only Wears DC Comics Clothes and Costumes

In the realm of comic books, Marvel Comics and DC Comics stand as giants, each giving birth to globally recognized and beloved superheroes such as Spider-Man, Captain America (Marvel), and Batman, Superman (DC). However, it’s a common misunderstanding within the comic book community that one must align solely with either Marvel or DC; it’s possible to admire both. The wardrobe of the characters in The Big Bang Theory might lead you to believe they are all fans of DC Comics.

On The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon and his friends often talk about Marvel characters, but they never don costumes or clothing reminiscent of Spider-Man, Iron Man, or any other Marvel hero. Although it airs on CBS, The Big Bang Theory is actually produced by Warner Bros. Television, meaning it’s more accurately described as a Warner Bros. Discovery production. Since Warner Bros. owns DC Comics, their superheroes are more prominently featured in the show compared to Marvel’s.

4
Howard’s Ring Tone Was Originally the Theme Song

A large number of TV shows kick off with popular theme tunes, such as those from Cheers, Friends, The Sopranos, and The Big Bang Theory. These melodies are widely recognized due to their appearance in the show’s initial credits, composed and sung by the Canadian rock band, Barenaked Ladies. The song masterfully guides us through significant periods of the universe’s timeline following the massive event called the Big Bang, emphasizing crucial milestones along the way.

Initially, the show didn’t use its current opening theme. Instead, it initially played “She Blinded Me with Science” by Thomas Dolby in the credits. However, after the show was selected for broadcast, the original theme song was introduced, but not completely. In fact, you can still hear brief fragments of “She Blinded Me with Science” whenever Howard’s cell phone rings.

3
Amy’s Apartment Number Signifies Pi

It’s no surprise that Pi, a widely recognized mathematical principle learned by children in early education, plays a crucial role in equations defining the core mechanics of the cosmos. Consequently, it was only fitting for The Big Bang Theory to incorporate Pi into its narrative somehow.

In the initial seasons of the show, Amy Farrah Fowler’s (Mayim Bialik) apartment number is a reference to pi, mathematically represented as 3.14. However, writing out all the decimal places on an apartment door would have been quite tricky, wouldn’t you agree?

2
The Inspiration Behind Leonard and Sheldon’s Names

The primary characters in the show, Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper, are not only fictional names; they are also the real names of renowned physicists and scientific trailblazers.

In a tribute to Robert Hofstadter, a physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his studies on electrons, Leonard’s surname was chosen. Similarly, Sheldon carries the name of Leon Cooper, a physicist and neuroscientist who shared the 1972 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on superconductivity. Moreover, the creators of The Big Bang Theory also admired producer and filmmaker Sheldon Leonard, drawing inspiration from him to name the show’s two primary characters after him.

1
The ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ Equation

In an effort to maintain authenticity, the creators of “The Big Bang Theory” enlisted David Saltzberg, a UCLA professor and scientific consultant, to check all the scientific equations used in the show for accuracy. However, one equation that appeared in the series was intentionally incorrect.

In the fourth installment of season 7 titled “The Raiders Minimization,” there are connections to the well-known action movie, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Not only do viewers see Sheldon and Amy enjoying this film, but sharp-eyed spectators also spotted a duplicate of that questionable scientific equation featured in one of the episode’s whiteboards.

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2025-04-14 01:33