‘Big Bang Theory’ Gets Date From CBS for Hour-Long Series Finale

Long-running sitcom will air its 279th and final episode in May

CBS

CBS has set an end date for “The Big Bang Theory.”

The long-running sitcom will wrap with an hour-long series finale on Thursday, May 16 from 8 to 9 p.m. ET/PT. “Young Sheldon” will move back an hour that night to 9 p.m. for its second season finale.

When the series ends, “Big Bang” will finish as the longest-running multi-camera series in television history with 279 episodes.

“The Big Bang Theory” first debuted in 2007 and has garnered 52 Emmy nominations — winning 10 of them — and seven Golden Globe nominations. Jim Parsons himself took home four Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy, his most recent win in 2014. The show consistently was among the most-watched programs on television and was often used by CBS as a launching pad for new shows.

After “Big Bang Theory” ends its run, CBS is hoping that “Young Sheldon,” which follows Jim Parsons’ character Sheldon Cooper as a child, can fill its massive shoes.

The show was handed a two-season renewal last month, a vote of confidence that the series can become the new anchor for CBS’ comedy lineup. CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl told TheWrap that no decision has been made just yet on whether “Young Sheldon” will inherit the “Big Bang” timeslot leading off Thursdays, but he’s bullish that it can be the same launchpad to lead into new series that “Big Bang” was for so many years.

“We’re fortunate to have another show lined up, a young show lined up and teed up to maybe take its spot. We hope its ‘Sheldon,’ but it’s not necessarily a given to go in that timeslot,” Kahl said, who predicted it will be the top-rated sitcom next season. “It’s good to have that and knowing you can use that to kind of build off of and still have some pockets of strength in comedy.”

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