Oh no, Season 12 of “The Big Bang Theory” might be its last

While it’s not 100% confirmed either way, and we’re just saying, according to new comments from The Big Bang Theory’s creator, Chuck Lorre, the show might finally be winding down. After the upcoming season,  the 11th for the CBS sitcom, Big Bang has only been renewed for one more season – and it might be the last.

“We never really figured to be at year 11, let alone what’s going to happen after 12,” Lorre told the crowd at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “One could easily presume that would be the end of the series but I’m just amazed we’re here,” he said.

So, clearly Lorre has some information we don’t. Either that or he’s playing games (we’re waiting him to say “Bazinga!” but he hasn’t). Sadly, it makes a whole lot of sense that the show is wrapping. There’s already the Big Bang Theory spinoff, Young Sheldon, which will be executive produced and narrated by Big Bang star Jim Parsons.

“We look at one episode at a time, that’s what we’ve been doing for the last 10 years and it’s gotten us this far,” Steve Molaro, current BBT showrunner said, adding he wants the show to go, “as long as we can go, 20 years. I hope to have it as long as we can.”

The Big Bang Theory may popular, but it does have some strikes against it. It’s extremely expensive to make, costing $10 million per episode. CBS and WBTV are said to be splitting the expenses, and it still ranks as the number one scripted series on each of those networks. It’s also the top series for adults ages 18-49, a valuable demographic for advertisers, who definitely shell out a hefty chunk of change to air commercials in that time-slot.

The cast also seems dedicated to making the show work no matter what. The original five cast members — Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar and Simoon Helberg — all took pay cuts for seasons 11 and 12 so newcomers Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch could be paid equally. Parsons and Galecki also extended their deals with Warner Bros. Television. For Parson, this means having a hand in Young Sheldon, and for Galeki, it means that the network picked up his new comedy, By the Book.

Either way, The Big Bang Theory has some life left in it yet — but just for how long??