One of the toughest parts of making The Big Bang Theory had nothing to do with memorizing scripts or performing in front of a live audience. It was simply staying healthy while spending twelve years working in close quarters with the same group of people.
With rehearsals, table reads, and long filming days, illnesses naturally spread around the set from time to time. Instead of shutting down production, however, the cast usually continued working through colds and even the flu.
Life on a Busy Sitcom Set
Filming a long-running sitcom meant the cast spent almost every day together. As a result, catching someone else's cold became almost inevitable.
One cast member once explained just how common it was:
"On this job, we don't get to be sick. We come to work sick. We pass around colds among the cast just because we are together so darned much."
To help everyone recover faster, production occasionally brought a doctor to the studio. Even so, filming rarely stopped, and the actors pushed through their illnesses to keep the schedule on track.
The Season 7 Scene That Required Extra Precautions
One unforgettable moment happened during Season 7 while filming a train scene that included a kiss with Jim Parsons.
At the time, Parsons was reportedly dealing with a full-blown case of the flu.
Rather than postpone the scene, filming continued with a few practical precautions.
His co-star later recalled:
"I was rinsing my mouth with peroxide between every take to avoid getting sick. He was definitely feeling yucky, and he was a real trooper."
Despite feeling unwell, Parsons completed the scene, and viewers never suspected anything was wrong.
The Audience Never Knew
Looking back after the series ended, the cast member reflected that nearly every member of the main ensemble had worked through illness at least once or twice during the show's twelve-season run.
She added:
"I think I can recall each one of our cast members at least twice being sick for a taping. I hope you'd never know it. We are, after all, professionals!"
Considering the energy required to perform before a live studio audience, it's an impressive reminder of the cast's professionalism and commitment.
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