11 Geeky Facts About The Big Bang Theory You Didn't Know

4. *Knock Knock Knock*... Katie?

Yes, that is a beer in Sheldon's hand. And no, those women are not Penny and Amy. Had the show been picked up in the early stages when this unaired pilot was filmed, The Big Bang Theory could have been very different indeed. A little less light hearted and certainly more adult, the pilot contains similar initial scenes to the first episode. It begins with Leonard and Sheldon donating to a high IQ sperm bank (without chickening out this time), and then meeting a new female friend - a witty tough cookie called Katie - but rather than meeting her when she moves in across the hall, they discover her crying on the pavement after breaking up with her boyfriend and becoming homeless. This leads to soft-hearted Leonard inviting her to stay with them; much to Sheldon's exasperation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jftzOTnB30I Though an interesting character, Katie was later scrapped due to negative reactions gleaned from an audience survey. Penny was allegedly adapted from another project the producers were working on at the time, and incorporated as a principal character into what became the show we know today. What's also clear is the difference in characterisation, particularly with Sheldon. Whilst he still struggles to grasp the concept of sarcasm, the pilot portrays a slightly more streetwise version of the character, as well as containing allusions to him engaging in coitus. Yep, this is getting really weird now... The pilot also had a different theme tune: 'She Blinded Me With Science' by Thomas Dolby rather than The Barenaked Ladies' 'The Big Bang Theory'. Bonus Trivia: The working title of the show was briefly Lenny, Penny and Kenny. We think they made the right choice.