# Any love for Big Bang Theory here? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 23, 2008, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832 "2008-09-23T14:06:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/121 "2008-10-21T14:45:08Z")
First off, should we start doing seperate threads for each episode? A great Sheldon episode last night, and I really liked it. Leonard has finally figured out how to draw the line and flat-out refuse him when the circumstances warrant it I see… really liked Sheldon’s big buildup to asking Penny for a favor, and how he really didn’t clue in that she was kicking him out of the car until after she had already driven off. The driving simulator and the Howard/Raj trips were fun too. In fact, there wasn’t much that didn’t work - the Leonard/Sheldon/Howard scene at the end of the first day was great, the DMV lady also… and the sleeping in the office gag at the end! I actually had a spooky sense of recognizing myself in Sheldon as I watched. I’m stubborn about not driving, but at least I _AM_ quite able to get through my everyday routine on public transit instead of badgering my friends for rides everywhere. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/122 "2008-10-21T14:50:39Z")
Yes, this episode was great. A bit like the episode where Sheldon moves out rather than try to keep a secret, and keeps getting kicked out of each place he tries to sleep. It was hilarious when Penny told him to get out and drove off. That driving simulator was the most unrealistic piece of geekery on the show so far. That whole bit was very Lucille Ball exaggerated. Still kinda funny though. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/123 "2008-10-21T15:02:01Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > That driving simulator was the most unrealistic piece of geekery on the show so far. That whole bit was very Lucille Ball exaggerated. Still kinda funny though. Hmm… I don’t know, it seems like it had a misplaced explanation as much as anything. A millitary training simulator having that level of detail for a California city? No, that doesn’t make sense. But if it had been an unreleased prototype of ‘driving with the Sims’ that had been snuck out by one of the developers, then maybe. We’re starting to get to the level of games with that sort of details, and I know lots of people who’d have fun with it. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/124 "2008-10-21T15:08:10Z")
Best line: I ACED IT. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/125 "2008-10-21T15:10:56Z")
I LOVED the scene where Sheldon is hanging on to the back of Wolowitz on the moped, screaming like a little girl. Hilarious. And when they were standing in line at the DMV and he told Penny what he had been doing when he was 16…it is amazing that he can roll a line like that off his tongue. I would have to practice that for a year. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/126 "2008-10-21T15:15:47Z")
I love this show so much - the DMV scene was hilarious. I did think at some point, though - please please please don’t make the characters caricatures of themselves. I know Sheldon is socially inept but he’s already crossing the line from quirky to “can’t belive he even has those friends because they can’t seem to stand being around him” level of insanity. However, the intervention scene was especially funny - and if you watch HIMYM then last week’s episode was timely… ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/127 "2008-10-21T15:22:11Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > That driving simulator was the most unrealistic piece of geekery on the show so far. The gratuitous HD cleavage made the scene worth it to many people. ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/128 "2008-10-21T15:32:02Z")
> [@LateComer](#): > > The gratuitous HD cleavage made the scene worth it to many people. I endorse this event and/or product. The epilogue with Sheldon being some creepy nightstalker guy felt out-of-place with the show, though I got a kick out of the two cleaning ladies scared of him. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/129 "2008-10-21T15:54:46Z")
> [@LateComer](#): > > The gratuitous HD cleavage made the scene worth it to many people. I was rather pleased with the Penny-pokies when Sheldon woke her up for a “favor.” HD is wonderful, isn’t it? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/130 "2008-10-21T16:10:28Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I was rather pleased with the Penny-pokies when Sheldon woke her up for a “favor.” HD is wonderful, isn’t it? 😃 So is TivoHD (pause, rewind, etc.) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Iggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Iggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggins)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/131 "2008-10-21T16:19:52Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > So is TivoHD (pause, rewind, etc.) 😃 Thirded. Do her assets grow each episode? ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/132 "2008-10-21T16:26:24Z")
> [@Iggins](#): > > Thirded. Do her assets grow each episode? I’m not sure, but I’m starting to think so. I also want to know how they get the poky nipple shots. Do they just make it very cold in the studio and not say anything, or do they let her know what they’re trying to do? The mind reels. ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/133 "2008-10-21T16:27:53Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I also want to know how they get the poky nipple shots. Do they just make it very cold in the studio and not say anything, or do they let her know what they’re trying to do? The mind reels. I’m in the “she knows what they are doing and probably have a guy who helps her girls to attention” camp. I wish I was that guy. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/134 "2008-10-21T16:51:28Z")
> [@kasuo](#): > > I’m in the “she knows what they are doing and probably have a guy who helps her girls to attention” camp. > > I wish I was that guy. Yeah, I would love to be able to add “nipple fluffer” to my resume. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/135 "2008-10-21T17:15:26Z")
> [@ShelliBean](#): > > I know Sheldon is socially inept but he’s already crossing the line from quirky to “can’t belive he even has those friends because they can’t seem to stand being around him” level of insanity. I noticed this too…I hope he redeems himself in an upcoming episode. So far, we’ve had Sheldon can’t handle being sick, can’t handle lying to Penny about Leonard not wanting to hear her sing, and Sheldon can’t drive. I was glad to see Raj finally get up the courage to squeak out an apology to Penny last week, and I hope Howard moves out of his mom’s house, but I don’t want this to be a show where Sheldon brings teh crazy and everyone else has to deal with it. I want to see focus on the other characters. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/136 "2008-10-21T17:18:27Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I’m not sure, but I’m starting to think so. > > I also want to know how they get the poky nipple shots. Do they just make it very cold in the studio and not say anything, or do they let her know what they’re trying to do? The mind reels. Sitcom sets are notoriously cold. I know from people who went to tapings that _Friends_ was cold as hell. I would bet that is what is going on with Penny on BBT. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/137 "2008-10-21T17:22:03Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Sitcom sets are notoriously cold. I know from people who went to tapings that _Friends_ was cold as hell. I would bet that is what is going on with Penny on BBT. Not sure I buy that. Maybe the first time, but Penny doesn’t wear those skimpy and low-cut outfits all the time by accident. And another Chuck Lorre show, Two and a Half Men, seems to have a regular assortment of babes as guests. From what I can tell on the commercials anyway, I find the show unwatchable. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/138 "2008-10-21T17:23:13Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I noticed this too…I hope he redeems himself in an upcoming episode. So far, we’ve had Sheldon can’t handle being sick, can’t handle lying to Penny about Leonard not wanting to hear her sing, and Sheldon can’t drive. And, as mentioned, Sheldon can’t handle keeping a secret from Leonard on Penny’s behalf, so he moves out of the apartment. Incidentally, I happened to catch the ‘Nobody wants to be around him when he’s sick’ plotline on a syndicated showing of ‘two and a half men’, so it looks like CL’s recycling ideas in at least one direction. (It was handled in very similar ways on both shows too, IIRC, though I can’t think of any specifics at the moment.) ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/139 "2008-10-21T17:25:50Z")
Big Bang recycles a lot of sitcom plots when it comes right down to it. Like I said, the driving simulator seemed like something that would have been on I Love Lucy. But the characters and details make up for it. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832/140 "2008-10-21T17:43:20Z")
My brother finally badgered me into watching the show – I had avoided it because it had a laugh track. But I liked it enough that I’m watching the first season on DVD. Nice to hear some real science and math. (When Leonard referred to the sine of 30 d as “about one-half”, both Sheldon and I said, “that would be _exactly_ one-half”. Apparently a little trig has stayed with me after 30 years.) Still trying to get a handle on the characters. I guess we can agree they’re not realistic as working scientists with multiple degrees and impressive theses; otherwise they wouldn’t have time for all their fanboy geekiness, WoW, etc. It’s more like the writers started with heavily-involved, socially inept sf/comic book geeks who live in a sort of fantasy-prone adolescence, and then wanted to see what it would be like if they were also legitimately brilliant scientists. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-love-for-big-bang-theory-here/464832.md?page=8)