Had Sandra Bullock said yes, it would’ve been a date.
CBS’ superhit sitcom TV series The Big Bang Theory has had multiple guest stars over, that more than just delighted the fans. While many agreed at once to have a cameo appearance on the show, some others, however, refused with reasons all too understandable. Included in the latter category is the renowned Miss Congeniality star Sandra Bullock as well.
The Big Bang Theory
Interestingly enough, Bullock was invited over to the show to star as Kunal Nayyar’s character, Raj Koothrappali’s date in the finale episode. However, the actress ended up turning the offer down, despite the show’s massive popularity among worldwide audiences; though for reasons all too understandable.
Why Sandra Bullock Refused To Star In The Big Bang Theory
Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side (2009)
Though it might come as a surprise to many, Sandra Bullock was indeed the first choice to bring in as Kunal Nayyar‘s character Raj Koothrappali’s date in The Big Bang Theory finale.
The reason behind this pair-up was simple: Koothrappali had long loved and dreamt of The Lost City actress, and bringing her in for a cameo appearance in the finale of the series would have given the most perfect conclusion to the character’s story.
But being the top-rated celebrity she has always been, Bullock had to turn down the offer due to scheduling conflicts with her other projects. As Executive Producer Steve Holland revealed in the book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series:
“We were really excited about it, but we got a polite decline because she was shooting a movie and wasn’t available.”
With Sandra Bullock confirmedly out of the picture, now the quest for the most suitable person to sit next to Raj on the plane began once again before they landed on Sarah Michelle Gellar, whose vampire-killing character ‘Buffy’ had previously been referenced numerous times.
Thus, thinking it was a “really cool, nerd-pull” for the characters since they had been fans of Buffy for, like, forever themselves, Executive Producers Steve Holland and Steve Molaro decided to call Gellar in, calling it, “our way to get to meet her before the end.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar Was “Honored” To Be A Part Of The Big Bang Theory
Kunal Nayyar with Sarah Michelle Gellar in The Big Bang Theory
Although Sarah Michelle Gellar may have repeatedly told Kunal Nayyar’s Raj, ‘This is not a date,’ while she sat next to him at the Nobel Prize award ceremony in the final episode, in reality, she was as excited about it all as the rest of the cast and crew.
As she recalled the entire experience during an interview with the TV Insider:
“I got the phone call and, they said, ‘You’ve been such a recurring gag on the show, would you like to help us end it?’ and I thought, ‘Oh my goodness,’” Gellar recalled. “I love that cast and we had a great time. I was honored to be a part of it and be part of the legacy of such an incredible show.”
Thanks to Michelle Gellar, The Stockholm Syndrome finale episode of The Big Bang Theory could be made as remarkable and fitting of an end to the superhit sitcom as possible. Perhaps it wasn’t scheduling conflict but fate that stopped Sandra Bullock from accepting the cameo and opened the door for Sarah Michelle Gellar!
