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When Chuck Lorre co-created The Big Bang Theory in 2007, his previous series Two and a Half Men had already been on the air for four years. In that time, Two and a Half Men had proven to be a ratings success, garnering numerous awards and accolades. And thus, it was only natural that Lorre and the writers would lean into Two and a Half Men’s crass tone. Perhaps what worked for Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer could work for Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory cast.  

However, Lorre soon learned that what works for a show about a Malibu womanizer doesn’t work for a show about Pasadena academics. During early tapings of the show, Lorre watched the audience, and he clocked how they were responding to the tone.

“The audience is teaching you in their response,” Big Bang Theory's Chuck Lorre said during a panel at PaleyFest 2016. “They taught us early on, when we first began the series, they taught us about the characters more than we needed. We didn’t understand how fragile these characters were, and despite their brilliance, they were very vulnerable, and the audience would let us know.”

“When we would put them in jeopardy and in situations where they were not being taken good care of, the audience was not happy with us. They also let us know when the show had become too risqué. This was one of the earliest lessons. This was not Two and a Half Men, and there’s a tone and quality to the characters that has to be honored, and I think we learned that by listening to the audience.”

If you watch the early episodes of The Big Bang Theory, you’ll see exactly what Lorre means. The pilot episode is far crasser, with the characters more sexually charged. Thankfully, this was toned down in favor of giving the characters more heart. While it worked for Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory was its own thing, and it needed its own identity. With 12 seasons, two spinoffs, and a third on the way, it certainly found its way.

Here's how to watch Big Bang Theory and all its spinoffs in order.