How Did The Elevator In ‘Big Bang Theory’ Break? 2015 People’s Choice Awards Hosts Take Jab At Cast For Not Fixing Broken Lift

“The Big Bang Theory” won big last night at the 2015 People's Choice Awards. The hit CBS sitcom took home the award for Favorite TV show, competing against heavy hitters like “Games of Thrones” and “The Walking Dead,” while also snagging the trophy for Favorite Network TV Comedy.

"We truly have a love and passion for making this show together,” "Big Bang" co-star Johnny Galecki said during his acceptance speech at the 41st annual award ceremony of the long-running series. "Honestly, it's a dream come true every day, and it's never lost on any of us for a split-second that it's entirely due to your love and support."

As a result of the show’s success and large fan base, the “Big Bang” cast was included in a pre-record a segment that appeared during the 2015 People’s Choice Awards. Hosts Anna Faris and Allison Janney, both who star in the Chuck Lorre-created sitcom “Mom,” made appearances in the skit where they mocked the gang of geniuses for not being able to fix their apartment’s infamously broken elevator.

So, that made us wonder: What is the history behind the impaired vehicle? And if Sheldon (Jim Parsons) could be the youngest person to receive the prestigious Stevenson Award then why can’t the theoretical physicist manage to fix the elevator? While the latter still remains a mystery, the story behind the broken elevator was answered in Season 3 during the episode “The Staircase Implementation.”

After fighting with Sheldon over their apartment's thermostat setting, Leonard (Galecki) sought refuge from Penny (Kaley Couco-Sweeting) when he asked to sleep on her couch. That prompted Penny to ask why Leonard was still living with an insane roommate. Thus began Leonard’s story of how he first met Sheldon many moons ago – when the elevator was still in service.

Leonard was warned by Sheldon’s former roommate about the physicist’s wacky tendencies. However, Leonard was desperate for an apartment after accepting a gig at Caltech (the same company where Sheldon worked). In Leonard’s story, he explained to Penny how Sheldon ruined his relationship with his previous girlfriend. But as it turned out, luck was on Leonard’s side. His alleged belle was a North Korean spy who was using Leonard for classified information on the rocket fuel he was creating for the government. Leonard then revealed that Sheldon’s involvement in his faux romance wasn’t the last time he saved his skin.

While conducting an experiment, Sheldon noticed that Leonard didn’t correctly adjust the formula for his rocket fuel. “This is for a full scale rocket, not a model,” Sheldon insisted. But Leonard was just about done with his roomies' pestering.

“I’ve have had it with you. You might be an expert on theoretical physics and science fiction programs and where to sit on a freaking couch but this is applied physics. And when it comes to applied physics...” he said, before getting cut off by the bubbling of his experiment. Leonard quickly went to dispose of the fuel by taking the elevator shaft down to the main floor. However, Sheldon pulled Leonard out of the car and closed the doors on the fuming project.

“What did you do that for? I had plenty of time!” Leonard said right before the elevator shaft exploded.

“You’re welcome,” Sheldon replied.

Leonard explained that not only did Sheldon save his life, but he didn’t rat him out to the landlord, the police, or even homeland security after his experiment gone wrong.

“OK, so basically you’re the reason I have to walk up and down three flights of stairs every day?” Penny said in response to Leonard’s story.

We’re you surprised with how the elevator was broken? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!