‘The Big Bang Theory’ Made a Big ‘Star Wars’ Blunder

in Movies & TV, Star Wars

big bang theory star wars

Credit: CBS/Lucasfilm

If you’re a nerd, you probably watched The Big Bang Theory. The long-running television series aired on CBS from September 2007 to May 2019.

the big bang theory cast
Credit: CBS

Related: Disney+ to Reportedly Retcon ‘Star Wars’ Sequel Trilogy

The show, which featured Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), Kaley Cuoco (Penny Hofstadter), and Mayim Bialik (Amy Farrah Fowler) primarily took place in Sheldon and Leonard’s apartment, where a variety of hijinks occurred.

In a particular Season 11 episode, “The Relaxation Integration,” Sheldon refers to himself as the “caucasian James Earl Jones” — you know you just read that in his voice — before saying “Luke, I am your father.”

Cooper was, of course, recalling the famous Skywalker Saga scene in which Sith Lord Darth Vader (David Prowse/James Earl Jones) informs Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) of his parentage.

luke skywalker darth vader empire strikes back
Credit: Lucasfilm

Related: Move Over Millie Bobby Brown, See Sebastian Stan as Luke Skywalker

As most Star Wars fans already know, this iconic cinematic moment, which occurs in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980), actually features the line, “No, I am your father.” Now, the Big Bang Theory error has resurfaced online.

Looper pointed out:

This is a prime example of the Mandela Effect, which occurs when a collective misremembers an event, idea, or, in this case, line from a movie…

Ever since the episode aired, fans have posted about the Big Bang Theory Star Wars mistake on social media.

Twitter user Sincerely Kate said:

Shame on the @bigbangtheory writers. Sheldon would’ve known that “Luke, I am your father” is a misquote, and used the right one

Related: Laugh It Up, Fuzzball: A “Star Wars” Comedy Might Be in the Works

Karen wrote:

Disappointed @bigbangtheory. Sheldon would never say “Luke, I am your father” because it is not in any of the Star Wars movies.

Eagle Fang Karate shared:

So Sheldon just misquoted Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back by saying “Luke I am your Father”. Yes I know I’m an uber dork.

Related: Ewan McGregor’s Pilot Brother Uses the Coolest Star Wars’ Call Sign

The original trilogy blunder, however, didn’t deter The Big Bang Theory’s success moving into it’s final season. Main character Sheldon Cooper even has a spinoff, Young Sheldon, that is still on the air.

As Deadline shared in an article about HBOMax obtaining exclusive streaming rights for the show:

The Big Bang Theory, created by Lorre and Bill Prady, premiered on CBS in September 2007. It ranks as the longest running multi-camera comedy series in U.S. TV history and ended its 12-season run as the most watched 2018-19 entertainment series, the first show to be able to make that claim in 21 years.

empire strikes back poster
Credit: Lucasfilm

Related: Never-Before-Seen ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Blooper Reel, On-Set Footage Just Released

As far as Star Wars goes, George Lucas’s Empire Strikes Back remains one of the most popular movies in the Skywalker Saga. Featuring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and the late Carrie Fisher reprising their Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) roles as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia Organa, the film is one of the rare sequels that just might be even better than the original.

Did you notice this Big Bang Theory Star Wars blunder when the episode originally aired?

 

in Movies & TV, Star Wars

View Comment (1)