Although Sheldon is famous for being The Big Bang Theory’s unashamedly contrary protagonist, rewatching the pilot revealed a shocking truth about him. 

By The Big Bang Theory’s finale, it was clear who the show’s true hero was. Jim Parsons’ Sheldon had unequivocally stolen the hearts of the show’s large fan base and became its de facto lead character.

The very fact that the show’s first spinoff was Young Sheldon should clue viewers into this fact, as Sheldon was the one character whose past viewers wanted to explore further. However, this makes The Big Bang Theory a bit of an anomaly among hangout sitcoms, compared to Friends, How I Met Your Mother, or New Girl.

Like The Big Bang Theory, all the shows listed above followed a group of thirtysomething professionals as they navigated life, love, and work in the big city. Like The Big Bang Theory, they also all featured a central couple who got to know each other throughout the show, got together, broke up, and had a “Will they, won’t they” character dynamic.

The big difference is that Friends’ Ross and Rachel, How I Met Your Mother’s Robin and Ted, and New Girl’s Nick and Jess were all central to the finales of their respective shows. These couples were the main focus of the show, just like The Big Bang Theory’s Leonard and Penny were initially the main characters of the series.

Over time, Leonard and Penny ended up taking a backseat to Sheldon as Parsons’ character proved to be the show’s breakout star. Viewers wanted more from Sheldon and less from his roommate, perhaps because some of the best episodes of The Big Bang Theory’s early seasons centred on Penny and Sheldon’s unlikely acquaintance.