While talking about his Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin Netflix series The Kominsky Method at the TCA Winter Press Tour this week, producer Chuck Lorre was asked his feelings about the fact that his biggest hit, The Big Bang Theory, is coming to a close at the end of this season. “It’s a loss,” he said. “You know, it’s 12 years of family and friends in a way. That’s an extraordinary thing to have those relationships last that long in this business. It’s going to be really hard to say goodbye to them.”

No doubt, but what has to be gratifying to him and everyone involved is the fact that Big Bang, which is the longest-running multi-camera series in television history, is getting a stage — specifically, Stage 25, where the show is filmed — dedicated to the show on the Warner Bros lot. In a joint statement, Chuck and his fellow producers Steven Moldero, Steve Holland and Bill Prady said, “For 12 years and almost 300 episodes, The Big Bang Theory has considered Stage 25 its home. We’re honored that the series can now become a part of the history of this legendary studio which has been home to so many amazing films and television shows.”

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Warner Bros

(Photo Credit: Warner Bros)

Originally built in 1935, Stage 25 has housed productions of Casablanca, Giant, Bonnie and Clyde and Blade Runner, as well as television series Maverick, V, What I Like About You and more. This is only the fifth time in the history of the Warner Bros Studios lot that a soundstage has been “named,” instead of numbered. In 2004, Stage 24 was declared “The Friends Stage”; in 2009, Stage 11 was renamed “The ER Stage”; in 2015, The Ellen DeGeneres Show commemorated its first 2,000 episodes with Stage 1 becoming “The Ellen Stage”; and also in 2015, Stage 26 was dedicated as “The Two and a Half Men Stage,” to honor the 12-season run of another successful Chuck Lorre comedy.

Never one to hide her enthusiasm about the show and what it means to her, Kaley Cuoco took to Instagram to share her excitement about the stage naming. At TCA, she also commented on the fact that the one thing she wants when the show wraps production is a poster from the apartment Penny shares with Leonard of two robots fighting. “It’s something that I love so much and I’ve looked at it for 12 years,” she explained. “It’s always in my eye line from where I sit in the living room set, so I’m glad I’m going to put it in my own living room so I’ll see it forever. A lot of people want a lot of things, so I’ve already marked that one. It looks super random and weird, but it’s overly special to me.”

The Big Bang Theory will shoot its final episode on Tuesday, April 30, to air later in May 2019. The show airs Thursdays at 8/7c EST on CBS!