‘Big Bang Theory’ Still On Top Creatively, Nabs 5 Critics Choice Nominations

For a show that’s seven seasons in, The Big Bang Theory is not only still a hit with viewers, but with critics as well. The CBS sitcom nabbed five Critics Choice Awards nominations when the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) announced them earlier this week. That’s tied for the most, along with CBS’ The Good Wife.

Overall, The Big Bang Theory is the only broadcast series nominated for Best Comedy, while Jim Parsons, who plays fan-favorite Sheldon Cooper, is up for Best Actor in a Comedy.

Parsons is joined by Kaley Cuoco, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy Series alongside castmate Mayim Bialik, who plays Sheldon’s girlfriend Amy on The Big Bang Theory. And finally, James Earl Jones nabbed a nomination for his guest performance on one of The Big Bang Theory‘s earlier episodes this past season.

So what accounts for The Big Bang Theory‘s commercial and critical success? One reason is the superb performances from cast members like Parsons and Cuoco. Jim’s portrayal of Sheldon Cooper is especially one of the major reasons for the show’s success.

Following the season seven finale, Sheldon faced major upheaval in his life, as Kaley’s character Penny got engaged to his roommate Leonard, played by Johnny Galecki. As reported by The Inquistr, Steve Molaro, The Big Bang Theory‘s show runner, expects Sheldon’s character to change as a result.

“We talked about it for a little while and we thought it would be interesting to systematically chip away at Sheldon,” Molaro told EW.com while accepting the magazine’s award for Best Serious Moment on behalf of the show. “Break him down to the point where he just needed to leave to process everything.”

Besides Leonard and Penny’s pending nuptials causing change for Sheldon, his university also dropped the bombshell that they were not allowing him to change his area of study, forcing Parsons’ character to have to stick with a specific career focus he’s no longer interested in. On top of all of that, Cooper’s beloved comic book store also burned to the ground.

It’s these kinds of bold decisions that have kept The Big Bang Theory creatively fresh seven seasons in. Even the show’s actors have no idea where they’re headed next, keeping things fun and interesting. Jim Parsons recently admitted to TVLine.com that he has no idea what’s next for his character after the season finale cliffhanger:

“Nobody will tell me. But, whatever… The writers have been so good with the pace of it, just bring more is all I would say.”

The Big Bang Theory returns this fall on CBS.