Burbank, May 16 -- With "The Big Bang Theory" ending after 12 seasons, viewers can comfort themselves with reruns. The cast has those - and residuals- but not the reassuring workplace rhythm and camaraderie.

During the closing days of taping the hour-long finale that airs at 8 p.m EDT Thursday on CBS, stars Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Mayim Bialik, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar and Melissa Rauch spoke to The Associated Press about their experiences on the top-rated comedy, and about what they'll do next.

CUE THE KLEENEX

Cuoco: There's a lot of emotions going on, very bittersweet. It's very strange that a lot of people are coming up to me saying, "How are you?" like someone died.

Parsons: It's a real rite of passage moment ...