NEW YORK, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Simon Helberg came close to passing on The Big Bang Theory.
The 35-year-old actor, who plays Howard Wolowitz on the CBS sitcom, revealed as much during an appearance this week on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
"I have great instincts. Like the instincts of a squirrel. You know, when you're driving and the squirrel just stops in the middle of the road? That was [my instinct]," Helberg joked.
"I was doing a show called Studio 60 that was great ... but people weren't watching it," he explained. "[When I heard about Big Bang] I said, 'I don't want to play nerds anymore ... so I'll pass on the nerd show.' I got convinced to go in and I think I made a good choice."
The Big Bang Theory, which averaged 20 million viewers in Season 9, is widely cited as the most popular comedy on television. The series will return for a 10th season Sept. 19 but has yet to be renewed for further seasons.
"We're having a great time doing the show, so I think we'll keep going if people will have us," Helberg said in response to rumors of sitcom ending.
The Big Bang Theory co-stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco and Kunal Nayyar. Katey Sagal and Jack McBrayer will join the cast in Season 10 as Penny's (Cuoco) mom and brother.
