7 May 2015
Mayim Bialik sat down with Variety to talk about Sheldon and Amy on The Big Bang Theory. You can catch the full interview by picking up the May 5, 2015 issue of Variety. Below is a repost from variety.com.
Mayim Bialik definitely has “Blossom”-ed. The co-star of CBS’ hit sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” is also an author, a blogger (for Kveller.com), a mother and a neuroscientist.
How’s the romance going with Sheldon? You finally had a sleepover!
It took many years. But it’s a testament to how slowly and sweetly their relationship progresses. We have a very big finale for Amy and Sheldon, and a lot is hanging in the balance.
Do you have a favorite Amy/Sheldon moment?
Our first cuddle was special. When he said “I love you” was special. Jim and I get to find a lot of those moments together, even if they’re not scripted. That’s the neat thing about working with someone like him.
What’s been the biggest challenge of playing Amy?
Not trying to be a female version of Jim Parsons. Everybody loves Jim Parsons, and we don’t need another Jim Parsons. He’s perfect the way he is. So my challenge has been how to give my character different flavors, so she’s not just imitating him.
How do you that?
That would be like a magician telling their secrets! You figure it out as you go. I’m not a classically trained actor, so I’m constantly feeling inadequate as a performer and trying to do my best. Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting and I are the only ones who didn’t go to conservatory. I do feel a certain sense of inadequacy sometimes. I worry about it. Is my process adequate? But that’s also the nice thing. it’s such a gentle cast. We all help each other out.
How important is the live audience to your show?
It’s like live theater. Any time Jim and I have to kiss in front of an audience, it’s like a whole other universe. Our writers don’t ooh and ahh and hoot and holler.
You’re a neuroscientist in real life, and you play one on TV.
They didn’t have a profession for my character when I came on in the finale of season 3. In season 4, Bill Prady said they’d make her what I am so I could fix things (in the script) if they were wrong. It’s neat to know what things mean. But most of the time, I don’t have to use it.
How important is your faith to you?
Apparently, I’m very unusual in that I’m in Hollywood and don’t mind talking about it. It’s not to make myself feel like a better person. If what I’ve experienced — in particular the Jewish traditions of divorce or parenting or life cycles — if those can be educational to people and make the big world feel less big and more personal and more like we are all on the planet together and we are all connected, which I believe is true, than I think that would be an accomplishment for myself.