Sandra Bullock Turned Down Popular Sci-Fi Sitcom Role
Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock was in talks to appear on the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, but a scheduling conflict prevented the cameo. A behind-the-scenes book about the sitcom includes details about the planned appearance and why it fell through. While the award-winning actress didn’t make an appearance, another celebrity cameo was slotted into her place for the show’s big moment.
Sandra Bullock Nearly Appeared In The Big Bang Theory
Jessica Radloff revealed the planned Sandra Bullock cameo in her book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive Inside Story of the Epic Hit. In her book, she revealed that the cameo was planned for the series finale, making it an important moment for the show. However, according to the show’s executive producer Steve Holland, a scheduling conflict caused the plan to fall through.
Sandra Bullock would have appeared in a single scene in The Big Bang Theory, playing herself and accompanying the character Raj Koothrappali to his friend’s Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony. The cameo would have paid off a running bit in the show, in which Raj was obsessed with romantic comedies, particularly those starring The Lake House actress. That detail would have given the joke of her accompanying him but clarifying, it not being a date some comedic weight.
Went To Sarah Michelle Gellar Instead
The scene still made it into the episode, but Sandra Bullock was replaced in the The Big Bang Theory finale with Sarah Michelle Gellar. Other than the actress delivering the line, the scene plays out as it was originally planned, but the joke lost a bit of character-specific flair. Of course, the Buffy actress was otherwise a perfect fit for a show about a group of pop-culture-obsessed nerds.
While the show would have benefitted from Sandra Bullock’s presence, it’s unsurprising she turned down The Big Bang Theory. She hasn’t appeared on a TV show since Muppets Tonight in 1996, instead focusing on her prolific film career. That career was particularly busy around the time of the sitcom’s finale, with both Oceans 8 and Bird Box being shot around the same time as the show’s final season.
The Big Bang Theory’s Best Cameos
Sandra Bullock wasn’t able to appear on The Big Bang Theory, but the show had more than its fair share of celebrity appearances over the years. In addition to Sarah Michelle Gellar, many actors synonymous with sci-fi and fantasy appeared including James Earl Jones, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and LeVar Burton. The show also featured celebrity scientists like Stephen Hawking and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
It’s somewhat fitting that Sandra Bullock wasn’t able to appear with Raj in The Big Bang Theory finale, as his ending is considered disappointing all around by many fans. Despite his romantic personality, he’s the one member of the main cast to end up alone, a character arc many found unfulfilling. The fact that the character almost got to end the show getting a moment with his favorite celebrity, only for it to fall apart in real life, fits with his underwhelming finale.
Even without Sandra Bullock’s star power, The Big Bang Theory was a smash hit. It ran for 12 seasons and was a consistent ratings frontrunner, with 10 Emmy wins to its name. Still, it’s disappointing that the show wasn’t able to pay off one of its long-running jokes by having the actress appear.
Login with Google