There’s arguably been no unaired series pilot more legendary in recent years than the original one for CBS' The Big Bang Theory pilot. That early episode has been referred to as “just a mess” by series creator Chuck Lorre due to the original script and some of the cast, particularly the original Penny actress. The network has made it no secret just how much it disliked the original star that served as the precursor to Kaley Cuoco, who has since been referred to as the show’s "secret sauce."
The network’s not-so-secret hate for the original Penny (who was actually named Katie) is just one of several interesting behind-the-scenes secrets about Big Bang. Former CBS Entertainment chairwoman Nina Tassler opened up to Emmy Magazine (via The Direct) about watching the original pilot. The veteran executive mentioned that the script had elements that worked and some that didn't. Tassler alluded to original Penny actress Amanda Walsh being the weak link in the original episode, commenting:
