The Season 10 midseason finale of The Big Bang Theory saw Bernadette and Howard welcoming their daughter, Halley. But according to showrunner Steve Molaro, viewers will not be seeing much of the baby.
The introduction of Halley served as a homage to Howard's mother, and we got a preview of what's in store for the new parents towards the end of the episode when Halley's shriek sounded just like Mrs Wolowtiz's, whose ear-piercing shrieks were a constant on the sitcom before she passed away.
"She is a loving tribute to her grandmother — this is a nice way for us to keep [Mrs. Wolowitz] alive," Molaro explained to TVLine. "It also means we don't have to have a baby on the set, so it solved lots of problems."
Molaro also revealed the thought process regarding the decision to name the baby Halley, saying it has a connection to Halley's Comet. "They're all scientists and we decided to stay in the science and space arena," he explained. "And since Howard was an astronaut and had been to space, we all just really liked [Halley]."
When The Big Bang Theory returns to CBS in January, it will focus on Bernadette and Howard's struggling as new parents. Season 10 episode 12 is titled The Holiday Summation, and the synopsis reads: "Sheldon and Amy visit Mary in Texas together. Leonard and Penny go get a Christmas tree and Halley Wolowitz won't stop crying."
According to a taping report of The Holiday Summation, the episode will end up with Howard deciding to take some time off from work to help Bernadette with the baby as they both adjust to a new life.