Why Mayim Bialik Refused to Watch “The Big Bang Theory”

Not all actors enjoy watching themselves on-screen. Adam Driver, for example, famously walked out of an interview when a clip of his scene from “Marriage Story” was played. Similarly, Mayim Bialik also hates watching her own performances, including her nine-season run on “The Big Bang Theory.”

Bialik shared in an interview with The Metro UK in June 2020 — about a year after “The Big Bang Theory” concluded — that she has watched very little of the show. “I’ve never seen most of the episodes,” Bialik admitted. “I don’t watch myself on television. I’ve never sat and watched an episode of our show, ever.”

During the filming process, she did end up watching some scenes that featured her. However, she clarified that she doesn’t seek out episodes in her leisure time. “I’ve seen snippets on stage when they would show them to the audience, but no, I don’t watch myself,” she continued. “I saw pieces [of the last episode], but I was in it, you know?”

It’s rather humorous that Bialik avoids watching her episodes, considering Amy Farrah Fowler turned out to be a significant character. Amy first appears in season 3, when Sheldon Cooper’s friends create a dating profile for him, leading him to match with Amy. Both initially hate the idea of dating but find a real connection after meeting.

Bialik became a series regular in season 4 and appeared consistently as her relationship with Sheldon developed. She even calls Penny, portrayed by Kaley Cuoco, her “best friend,” though the feeling may not be mutual. In the end, Sheldon and Amy have a happy ending, getting married in season 11. In the series finale, they achieve an even bigger milestone by winning a Nobel Prize for their work on super asymmetry.

“The Big Bang Theory” ended in 2019, and Bialik got her own show soon after, although it was short-lived. “Call Me Kat,” based on the British comedy “Miranda,” starred Bialik as a cat cafe owner. Despite featuring other talented actors like Cheyenne Jackson and Kyla Pratt, it was canceled in May 2023 after three seasons. The show was produced by some “Big Bang Theory” veterans like Jim Parsons and creator Chuck Lorre, along with Bialik herself.

In 2021, Bialik began hosting “Jeopardy!” alternating with Ken Jennings after Alex Trebek’s passing. During the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023, Bialik chose to stand with writers and abstained from appearing on “Jeopardy!” Subsequently, it was announced she would no longer host, leaving Jennings to continue solo. Many cited her various controversies as the reason. Now, Bialik hosts her own podcast, “Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown,” focusing on mental health, while all episodes of “The Big Bang Theory” are available for streaming on Max. She, however, won’t be watching them.