insomniak

While I know this thread is going to die on the vine now that TBBT's final episode has aired, I wanted to share one last taping experience that could have only came to fruition last night. During our taping (the 4th to last episode were Leonard grew a pair and got the new job) there was some filming of fans going on and they interviewed a select few, one of the couples being my wife and I. They also had cameras filming the audience and other backstage aspects that were aired during the special "Unraveling the mystery: the big bang theory farewell". When they opened the special, during the first minute they had an audience shot and there we were, clear as day right up front! We slow-mo'd the DVR recording and found they got me giving my wife a kiss too! While these are not the best photos (as they are literally phone photos of our tv), we had to share because without this forum and everyone's posting and sharing of experiences we never would have had a chance to get tickets, see the show, or even get this awesome +1 added to our trip. So, thank you all. I hope your TBBT ride, whether it be on tv or in audience, was as great for you as it was for us! note: the picture with the "heart" on it was the one where I was kissing my wife! Thank you!!

….As the sound of taps play softly in the background....

Awesome! was this the taping of the final episode? Any spoilers you want to post (in the other channel of course)

If you have non standby tickets and you really want to get in, Id be there by 6 or 7 AM. No Joke. And even at that you might not be #1... Just my 2 cents from what I saw/heard at the 3/19 taping

Kate?, Were you the couple next to the young Asian girl? Was there a bald dude in a grey t-shirt across from you wearing a flannel around his waist like it was the 90's all over again? Or were you the lady on the end that was separated from her husband? I was the bald dude (and I only wore the flannel around my waist because it was warm outside but was told it might be chilly on the set). Either way, My wife and I are really glad you got in. We felt bad that all these fans were put in limbo over a slew of extra guests from Ellen.

It was a major bucket list item for my wife and I and we had been trying for tickets since the start of the taping season. We had a great time, both at the taping and with a mini getaway in LA and Malibu!

Ahh.. yes there were a few flubs but only one really noteworthy. Sheldon and Leonard were "driving" and Johnny messed up his line, which had the audience in hysterics. Jim Parsons Turned to the audience and said "When you F*** up at work does everyone laugh at you??" and then he turned to Johnny and did a "golf clap" to him. Was great

Think of a "freaky Friday" kind of a swap.. Where Leonard and Penny are working with Sheldon to temper his reactions to the 2 other scientists that are stealing their spotlight and Amy pulls a Sheldon. Behind the scenes? do you mean in regard to the additional taping they were doing with audience members?

You are Welcome! The title is "The Decision Reverberation".

The Cheesecake Factory.

Yes, Penny did quit TCF and she does make big bucks, however, it would be a shock to any committed relationship to learn that your spouse is looking to quit their job without having a conversation first. At least that's my opinion...

Ok so everyone seems to be interested in the leonard story, here's the 30,000 foot view. I wont give a play by play spoiler but it should be enough So, episode opens with The gang on the couch, similar to "olden times" :). They were discussing what movie to go to and where/when to eat dinner. Everyone had an opinion and Leonard did not want to eat late at night. Sheldon argued with him, Leo caved and the entire group told him he as "satisifier", as somone who does whatever anyone else wants to take the least path of resistance. Afterwards, Penny continued to push Leo to see that the group is correct and to start doing what makes him happy, and to not take penny's feelings into account for things he wants to do. So, Penny tells Leo to pick an activitiy, and he struggles with that. He also shows Sheldon the "new strong" Leo and takes a new way to work (or home, or somewhere, I don't remember) which frightens Sheldon. What the real Pivot point of the episode in my opinion was that Leonard feels his job is inadequate, and he is unhappy. He writes a proposal to President Sibert (spelling) about leading up a plasma physics team, and he was not willing to take no for answer even if that meant leaving the university. Penny found out and was rather upset, as any wife would when her husbands job might be in jeopardy and he argues with her about it. In the end, President siebert said no and Leonard walked out. The show ended with Penny discussing what happened with Leonard and it was revealed that after Leonard walked out, Siebert said they didn't want to loose him so gave him a Co-lead position on a different "study" (don't remember what is was about). Leonard was happy with that and that he stood up for himself. My take on this: I feel they could have filmed an alternate ending, where Leonard was NOT offered a different position and come to find out that Leonard is going to leave to go to a different university. IT would be a befitting ending to the show's dynamic, as he would be the first of the 4 to leave the university which could the the "end event". Let me know if what I posted does not make sense.

There were about 6 rows of regulars, so I figure about 125-150 people at 25 a row. it was just my bench that got in + 2 from the one next to us.

The Mod moved the spoilers over to that section and I might elaborate over there a bit once I get the chance to do so. Thanks!

To all: I wanted to post some information and my experience regarding the show Tapings.I attended the 3/19 taping. My wife and I were #27 and #28. They only brought 50 Regular ticket holders back that I am 100% aware of. They basically said that standby folks most likely will not get in. There were a boatload of VIP's, many from the ellen show again (as they showed the previous weeks taping which Ellen guest starred in). There were a LOT of friends and family of the cast and crew there. I did get the chance to talk with a few Audiences Unlimited folks and they echoed that moving forward, A guaranteed ticket will be more like a standby. Their advice was get there EARLY even with a guaranteed ticket. We arrived at 1:30. About the taping: They said this was the 275th episode taping, which ties the series with Cheers. Once they pass them, they will be the longest running Sitcom ever on TV. They also said it was a special occasion as they had multiple camera's set up to tape the audience as well as camera crews interviewing guests who where getting in. We were chosen to be interviewed and the overall message was what TBBT meant to my wife and I, and what we wanted to say to the cast and crew. Bittersweet as they mentioned it will be played for them at the series finale parties or something like that and may end up on the final season DVD. When I asked why they didn't do it at a later taping, they said they wanted the true fans that didn't live local and had a story about how they came to see the show which would not be available because the remaining tapings were going to be primarily VIP. We were ushered back, as expected as very well explained throughout the forum. What we were not prepared for was the Time/distance/wait between parking structure and the studio. It was not a really big deal but my wife does have a bad knee which requires some forethought for those types of walks but seeing she was semi prepared, not a big deal. **Note** I think we say Kaley Cuoco driving her ML350 with License plate Amimlvr. Looked like her and I thought I saw her car/plate picture on a forum someplace. Not a big deal but was neat. We saw a bunch of other cast/crew cars, including what we thought was Will Wheaton's car, vanity plate ITISWL. The studio has such an energy about it. Not to mention it was built in the 1930's and it was just amazing to see how many times that building was transformed for whatever magic they needed to make. They have a plaque on the building showcasing all the movies and TV shows filmed there. The place also had the typical "old building smell" (not horrible or anything but was part of the experience). You are security screened twice before you are seated. The MC was energetic, somewhat funny, and did his job well. Pizza was cold, Had potential if they knew about the invention of salt. There was a Scene where Sheldon and Leonard were driving a car, and Johnny flubbed up his lines and everyone died laughing. Jim said to the audience "When you F**** up at work does everyone laugh at you?!?!!" (jokingly of course). It was rather funny. Spoilers about the taping moved to the season 12 discussion thread, here. My Overall: I am a longtime viewer of the show and for myself and my wife, was a big part of our married life. I personally identified with many, if not all of the characters throughout the 12 years and in my mind, those characters were living, breathing people living in Pasadena that I was actually going to meet. (Not Logically, mind you but it felt that way because of my connection to the characters/show). Seeing the show being taped was an AWESOME experience, and everyone was so professional... but you do see that they are characters and that once They yell cut, the actors go from Leonard, Penny, and Sheldon, to Johnny, Kaley, and Jim very clearly. It popped my TV bubble a little bit, but I needed that. To see the "magic" of TV happen and to see what these individuals do to prepare for each scene is nothing short of amazing and really mimics many of the things I do in my own life before I have to present or speak so it helped me to realize "this is their job" and these characters only exist because of the writers, crew, and actors. Id do it again in a heartbeat but im glad I didn't and couldn't If I wanted to. This was a bucket list, once in a lifetime thing for us and it would just dilute the experience if it was just "easily available" Thank you again to EVERYONE on this forum. The information posted was exactly what I needed to make this happen. From the Informational first post on the what, what, where, and why to the experiences and stories of everyone. I hope TBBT ends with a story that leaves us fulfilled.