For years, Chuck Lorre has been synonymous with successful sitcoms, but he particularly pointed out adding 1 joke-less scene to a pivotal moment that set up his best-known work to date. Launching a successful comedy has been increasingly difficult in the last several years. Several factors play into this, including people's changing preferences and the evolution of how entertainment is consumed. That said, Lorre has managed to continue delivering various kinds of sitcom hits — whether that's on a streaming platform, as he did with The Kominsky Method and Bookie, to traditional broadcasting with Bob Hearts Abishola and The Big Bang Theory franchise.

Those who have been following the producer's career since he started his writing career in the '80s have their respective favorite work by him. While Dharma & Greg and Two and a Half Men established him as such, it wasn't until The Big Bang Theory in 2007 that Lorre really cemented his place in the industry. Granted that the sitcom remains divisive, there's no denying that it is one of the most popular comedies of all time. The Big Bang Theory got so big despite the criticisms, and 1 scene in the pilot didn't follow the traditional route for evoking laughter.

Sheldon's Speech About Why He Chose His Spot Had No Real Jokes

Lorre Had An Affiinity To The Big Bang Theory Pilot Scene

ed by Bill Prady, Lorre had to actually rework the original The Big Bang Theory pilot after CBS asked them to make some changes. While the original concept of Leonard and Sheldon's friendship being its backbone remained, certain elements of it were changed, including the addition of Kaley Cuoco's Penny, Kunal Nayyar's Raj, and Simon Helberg's Howard. Despite the network picking it up and eventually becoming big, however, the first year had its challenges, so it's impressive that Lorre rolled the dice and included a pivotal scene in The Big Bang Theory premiere without any jokes (via EW).

Jim Parsons' speech about why he sits in that particular spot on the couch in the pilot episode. I think we all watched that and understood something remarkable was happening. There were no real jokes in the speech, it was just a worldview that was so precise, and he brought it to life. It was an astounding moment I'll never forget.

Lorre pinpointed the scene as his biggest standout from The Big Bang Theory, and that's no small feat. Throughout the show's 12-year run on the air, it had countless memorable moments, not to mention 10 Emmys. Some of them only featured the main cast and relied on their chemistry, while others included notable guest stars — from Stephen Hawking to Mark Hamill. For Lorre, however, Sheldon's lengthy speech not having any clear joke was impressive, considering that it risked being an awkwardly unfunny sequence, and at that point, The Big Bang Theory was still establishing itself.

Why Sheldon's Speech In The Big Bang Theory Pilot Was Still Funny (Despite Not Having A Joke)

The Whole Set-Up Was Hilarious

The Big Bang Theory was filmed in front of a live studio audience. Its ensemble fed off the people in the studio, because there was an immediate response to their performance instead of waiting until post-broadcast to learn about how an episode was received. That said, it was also nerve-wracking, especially if something wasn't working. Doing an extended take of Sheldon rambling about why he chose the specific spot in the coach was a massive gamble, because it could have easily bored the live audience, and by way, the viewers at home, when it finally aired.

However, what made the scene so effectively revealed what Sheldon was really like. While The Big Bang Theory was an ensemble series, arguably its true lead was the socially-inept genius. The increased focus on him as the show approached its end, not to mention the existence of Young Sheldon, backed this up. Parsons' brilliant delivery of his lines helped inform the viewers of who Sheldon was. It established that while he could be inconsiderate, he didn't mean it most of the time. He was just used to certain things, and he liked to keep it that way.

...Penny just sat and listened to Sheldon ramble about his spot, all wide-eyed and confused. Together, this made the sequence so incredibly funny.

Sheldon was earnest in his explanation of why he couldn't sit anywhere else in the apartment but his spot. On paper, the scene wasn't hilarious at all. As Lorre said, it didn't even have any joke. However, what made it so hilarious was the reaction of Leonard and Penny. Knowing Sheldon so well by then, while also trying to keep it cool in front of his new crush, Leonard looked exasperated and frustrated in the background. Meanwhile, Penny just sat and listened to Sheldon ramble about his spot, all wide-eyed and confused. Together, this made the sequence so incredibly funny.

How Sheldon's Speech Set The Big Bang Theory Up For Success

It Was The First Proper Scene With Sheldon, Penny, And Leonard

While Raj and Howard, as well as Amy and Bernadette had their respective appeals, Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny were widely considered as the faces of The Big Bang Theory. The socially-inept genius as an individual may be a bit more significant than the show's original couple, but as a trio, one would be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn't enjoy their friendship. Until The Big Bang Theory's end, their relationship remained central to the sitcom's story. The "no real jokes" scene in the pilot was the very first proper scene that they had together, and it effectively set up their future.

Beyond that, the sequence also gave The Big Bang Theory the motivation to lean into Sheldon's oddities. After his long ramble about his chosen spot, similar scenes were subsequently done in various settings and contexts. There was a sequence where Sheldon went on a long speech about what Leonard did for work while Penny, once again, looked confused and bewildered. Other variations of it had the socially-inept genius going on and on about something while also in the process of spiraling. Once again, there were no jokes in his lines, but his delivery sold it as humorous.

Sheldon's Spot Ramble Also Helped Establish The Bigger The Big Bang Theory Franchise

Young Sheldon & Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Benefit From The Scene

The pivotal scene wasn't only integral in The Big Bang Theory. It also had a positive impact on the bigger franchise. Having the mothership be comfortable with Sheldon's long speeches helped Young Sheldon's case as a single-cam series. While it was filmed on a closed set and Iain Armitage's version of the character didn't really have any kind of humor, the prequel was still able to come up with other ways to evoke laughter from the people around him.

Additionally, leaning into Sheldon's awkward moments also paved the way for The Big Bang Theory franchise to give arguably the most socially-inept character in the universe — Stuart. Chuck Lorre and Prady are teaming up again for a new comedy spinoff. This time, it will be centered on the comic book store owner and titled, Stuart Fails To Save The Universe.

Source: EW