CBS
Contrary to popular belief, Penny from the highly acclaimed CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” does not bear the last name Teller as a clever play on the Penn & Teller pun. This show concluded its run five years ago, yet there are fans who remain curious about the maiden name of Kaley Cuoco’s character. A fan theory circulated in 2022, suggesting that Penny’s last name was Teller. This theory was based on an episode from the second season where a delivery box prop had the last name ‘Teller’ printed on it in an almost illegible font. However, the show’s former executive producer and prop master were quick to dismiss this theory, stating that Penny was intentionally designed without a last name.
Steve Molaro, the series’ executive producer, clarified to TVLine that the use of ‘Teller’ as Penny’s last name is not official in any way. He explained that it was only used for prop purposes and wasn’t sanctioned, written, or intentionally placed by the writers or producers of the show.
Scott London, the show’s prop master, revealed that the name was provided by series co-creator Bill Prady, but it wasn’t meant to be canonical or visible on camera. Prady assured him it wouldn’t be seen and was only needed for the visual shape of the block of type. Prady also confirmed to the outlet that Penny’s last name is not Teller and expressed surprise at how fans were able to see and decipher the shipping label.
Penny has never had a canonical last name, period
CBS
The infamous label was noticed by sharp-eyed fans in the season 2 episode “The Work Song Nanocluster.” In this episode, Penny starts a small business called Penny Blossoms, where she makes flower barrettes. The box containing her crafting materials had a shipping label that sparked the controversy. London explained that he had to add a last name to the label because shipping to ‘Penny’ without a last name seemed impractical. As the show progressed, it became evident that Penny’s lack of a last name was a recurring theme. When she later married Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), her last name was conspicuously absent from the ceremony.
“The canon is that she does not have a last name that we ever assigned to her … and we’re never going to make one,” Molaro told TVLine. “Even when she and Leonard got married, we made sure to edit around even hearing what her [last] name would be.”
Some viewers have taken issue with the idea of a female character not having a complete name until she marries a man, especially given the show’s track record with women. Kelly Schremph, in a 2019 Bustle article, argued that a person’s name is part of their identity, and to deprive someone of that seems unjust, especially since Penny has been the subject of numerous sexist jokes and tropes over the years.
If you think that’s sexist, wait until you hear about the rest of the show
CBS
Initially, “The Big Bang Theory” conceptualized Penny as a girl robot rather than a human woman. The early seasons of the show often used objectifying, misogynistic tropes reminiscent of ’80s movies about nerds and attractive girls. The show also featured the character type that Pop Culture Detective labeled the “Adorkable Misogynist.” This character type is described as a male character whose geeky masculinity is portrayed as comically pathetic but still charming, allowing them to get away with a range of creepy, entitled, and sexist behaviors.
Cuoco has largely been positive about the show’s decision not to give Penny a last name. In a 2017 interview with CBS News, she stated, “It’s kind of a personal thing. It feels like a jinx. We haven’t said it for so long. I feel like if we said it, the world will explode.” She expressed similar sentiments at the show’s 2019 wrap party, telling TVLine, “I kind of love it. So many things are revealed in the last few episodes; you get a lot of satisfying moments. But I kind of love that [we’ll never know her last name].” In a separate interview a year earlier, Cuoco jokingly told The Talk (via E! News) that she wanted to know Penny’s name.
Molaro has also suggested that the show’s team viewed Penny’s last name as a sort of a jinx. The Hollywood Reporter quoted him as saying at a WonderCon panel five years ago, “[Eventually] we got nervous and superstitious about giving her one … it will always be Hofstadter.” The decision to leave Penny without a last name, at least until she takes her husband’s, has been a point of contention. However, if this decision makes us uncomfortable, it’s likely because it represents larger issues with the show’s portrayal of women that are more challenging to address. Throughout its run, the show has glossed over or casually normalized real issues women face, such as sexist stereotyping, objectification, consent problems, stalking, unplanned pregnancy, gendered domestic roles, and a significant amount of sexual harassment. Whether you appreciate or detest the show’s writing decision, Penny’s last name is not the most pressing question we have for “The Big Bang Theory” writers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Penny’s last name on “The Big Bang Theory”?
A: Penny’s character was intentionally designed without a last name. A fan theory suggested that her last name was ‘Teller’, but this was quickly debunked by the show’s executive producer and prop master. After marrying Leonard Hofstadter, she took his last name.
Q: Why doesn’t Penny have a last name?
A: The show’s creators decided not to give Penny a last name for creative reasons. They felt it added a unique element to her character and maintained this decision throughout the show’s run.
Q: Has Kaley Cuoco ever commented on Penny’s lack of a last name?
A: Yes, Kaley Cuoco has stated that she sees the decision not to give Penny a last name as a personal thing and even considers it a jinx. She has expressed that she loves the mystery surrounding Penny’s last name and feels that revealing it would be world-shattering.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
