Following the advent of prestige TV, which changed the way viewers consumed TV shows, many felt that sitcoms might cease to exist amidst the changing trends. This sentiment couldn’t have been more wrong, as Chuck Lorre has singlehandedly continued the genre’s dominance on the small screen since the 2000s.
Although Two and a Half Men propelled Lorre to new heights, his magnum opus remains The Big Bang Theory, and interestingly, he named the two lead characters after one iconic sitcom figure.
Sheldon Leonard served as a basis for The Big Bang Theory leads
Heading into the 2010s, prestige TV was the new norm, whether it was Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, etc. But despite their dominance, The Big Bang Theory continued to score high among fans and critics, keeping the iconic genre that shaped television in the ’50s and ’60s alive.
Among the many who played a substantial role in the rise of sitcoms, TV icon Sheldon Leonard was arguably one of the most influential ones. Having served as an executive producer on The Danny Thomas Show, The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick van Dyke Show, and Gomer Pyle, followed by his plethora of acting credits, Leonard was an icon of the small screen.
Given his influence on the genre, it only makes sense that Chuck Lorre, the king of modern sitcoms, opted to name the two roommates of one of the most iconic 21st-century sitcoms after Sheldon Leonard (via Desert News).
There was just a little hero worship on our part there.
The fan service wasn’t just confined to the lead characters’ names, as in one of his famous vanity cards, Lorre once again paid tribute to the sitcom legend by posing as the ghost of Sheldon Leonard.
Chuck Lorre’s simple yet effective response to the sitcom debate
In contrast to the changing industry trends, which have shifted away from sitcoms in recent years, Lorre has continued to dominate the TV space with his slice-of-life shows, with the recent one being the George and Mandy show. When asked about his stance on Hollywood’s growing disinterest regarding sitcoms, Lorre simply responded, “F— ’em” (via EW).
You’re asking me if I have a macro view of these things, I don’t. I try and pursue things that I’m excited about that I think are wonderful, that working with people that I love and admire and telling stories that I think are great stories to tell, and the potential of making people laugh is a wonderful thing to do. When you come home at night, did you make people laugh? That’s not a bad day.
In conclusion, the simple motto of prioritizing a healthy dose of laughter has been the key point to Lorre’s success in the realm of TV.
Two and a Half Men is available to stream on Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
