Kaley Cuoco’s character in the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory continues to be endeared by fans for years. However, amidst the widespread praise and love the character has garnered, Penny has often drawn comparisons to iconic sitcom roles, particularly a character from FRIENDS.
Fans of the sitcom have long noted the similarities between the two characters. While no official connections have been confirmed, Cuoco’s admiration for Jennifer Aniston may have significantly influenced how her character in the CBS sitcom mirrors the charm and appeal of FRIENDS’ beloved Rachel.
Kaley Cuoco revealed her “girl crush” on the FRIENDS star Jennifer Aniston
Portraying the role of the beloved and charming Penny in The Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco gained significant recognition. When asked if she ever admired a TV character or show in the same way fans adored her and the show, Cuoco revealed that she was a dedicated fan of the hit sitcom FRIENDS.
“I grew up with FRIENDS from day one,” she told the Associated Press in an interview. “Like we would watch every Thursday night at eight o’clock, I couldn’t wait,” Cuoco continued.
During the interview, Cuoco also gushed about her “girl crush” on Jennifer Aniston, whom she “idolized.” Sharing her admiration for the actress and her popular FRIENDS character, she said,
And Rachel, Jennifer Aniston, to this day is still my girl crush, you know? I loved her on the show, I loved her outside of the show, how she behaved. She was funny and cool and cute and I just idolized her.
Cuoco’s admiration for Aniston and the influence of her character might be the reason behind the striking similarities between Penny and Rachel Green. Fans have long drawn comparisons between the two characters, pointing out similarities not just in their storylines but also in their personalities and mannerisms.
While the debate has persisted among fans, with some agreeing on the uncanny resemblance and others disagreeing, Cuoco’s admiration for Aniston may offer a clue as to why Penny feels reminiscent of Rachel Green. However, there has been no official confirmation of this influence on her character.
Kaley Cuoco reflected on her early The Big Bang Theory performance
During her interview, Kaley Cuoco also reflected on her performance and character in the early seasons of the show. And the actress shared that she was “appalled” by what she saw.
Reflecting on her character in the early seasons of the show, the Emmy-nominated actress said,
I do stop and watch because I’m appalled by what I’m seeing — ’m like, ‘Kaley, what is that choice?’ I usually put it on mute because I cannot stand the sound of my voice, especially early on.
The actress also stated that her performance in the first season felt inexperienced, mentioning her tone and voice as being off. “How did I get hired? Like, what was I doing? What was that tone in my voice?'” she said.
However, she also noted her growth as an actress over the years. “Like it’s just such a difference. At the time it was great. … I can’t believe I got hired, let’s put it that way. It was not good,” Cuoco said, asserting that she has seen a big difference between her performance then and how it evolved.
The Big Bang Theory is available to watch on Max.
