September 24, 2007 – May 16, 2019. 

Thanks to my dad’s comedic instinct of a new television show about a group of socially awkward scientists working and living in southern California whose world is turned upside down (in the best ways) because of a new beautiful blonde neighbor, he and I attended the pilot episode of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ back in early 2007.

Even some of the best sitcoms of all-time struggle in the pilot episodes. The first season can be an uphill climb of sorts.

But that wasn’t the case with ‘The Big Bang Theory.’

It was great from the get-go, which includes a scene my dad and I saw live that has, for some reason, been cut from the rerun.

The series opens with Sheldon and Leonard visiting a high-IQ sperm bank. Yes. That’s right. The nurse returned later in the series when Howard needed a, um, hand. One of the punchlines in the sperm bank scene was Leonard helping the nurse with a crossword puzzle by saying “Port-au-Prince.”

And then there was arguably the funniest character intro involving the hilariously politically incorrect Howard Wolowitz.

Back in January of this year, my parents and I miraculously scored tickets to one of the final 10 episodes of this beloved series titled “The Donation Oscillation” to bookend the series experience. This episode, which included Penny’s old boyfriend Zack and his wife, fully delivered on the laughs with fulfilling dramatic moments that fit perfectly with the story. To make things better, there was an electric atmosphere with the audience. Incredibly, there were fans who drove from far away and some who flew from all over the world just to see a live taping of ‘The Big Bang Theory.’

The show undeniably means a lot to its fans.

It also happens that I met a pretty girl, Theresa, while waiting in line who was from Germany and temporarily living in LA. Perhaps we’ll cross paths again.

Hey, if Leonard won Penny over against all odds…

It would be easy to simply include my favorite scenes from the science-centric series. However, that list would be too long. Ultimately, ‘The Big Bang Theory’ was/is a brilliant show featuring brilliant characters who were surprisingly relatable for their social awkwardness, in no small part because of their nerd-caliber love of movies, TV and pop culture all while trying to be cool.

But like the Phoenix, they figured out ways to rise from the ashes of constant failure to win the day and the girl.

And these were feelings excitedly and heartwarmingly revealed by my fellow audience members back in January when given the chance to speak to everyone, which added a level of camaraderie between all of us who have been watching ‘The Big Bang Theory’ for more than a decade.

Before the show ends, there are some specific mysteries that will hopefully get resolved later tonight:

• Does the elevator get fixed?
• Will Raj meet a girl with a promising beginning?
• Does Howard meet his father? There were five lies and one truth in letters that Raj (Kunal Nayyar), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Amy (Mayim Bialik), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) read to Howard (Simon Helberg) about his dad who left when he was young. If his dad shows up, what actor plays Howard’s dad?
• What is Penny’s last name?
• Why does Howard wear an alien pin in every single episode in the series?

Millions of fans cannot wait to see how the show ends. While sad, at least we know from the past 12 seasons that the cast, writers, and producers of the show know how to get laugh-out-loud punchlines as well as mix in heartwarming moments like when Penny gave Sheldon a napkin signed by his hero Leonard Nimoy (Spock).

Thank you to the ‘Big Bang Theory’ television universe for everything you gave us for, what the late Stephen Hawking would say, that brief history of time.

The hour-long series finale of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET. on CBS.

P.S. Will sitcom legend and recurring ‘Big Bang’ character Bob Newhart as Professor Neutron appear near the end of the hour-long finale and yell “Bazinga!” with Sheldon and the entire cast and crew? If he does, it won’t be a dream. The past 12 seasons happened. And they were awesome.