# The Big Bang Theory 1/26--The Beta Test Initiation **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 26, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772 "2012-01-26T20:40:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/21 "2012-01-28T05:54:16Z")
Sometimes you guys take sitcoms way too seriously. Logic and continuity have never been important to them. I laughed, therefore I thought it was good. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/22 "2012-01-28T06:24:44Z")
I like how they brought in Kripke just for the voice recognition gag. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/23 "2012-01-28T07:14:58Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Sometimes you guys take sitcoms way too seriously. First time here? Welcome to the Dope. Today’s special is pork loin with kale, quinoa, and overanalysis. > [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > I like how they brought in Kripke just for the voice recognition gag. Though that did have me curious: the issue of speech impediments has to have come up; I wonder which ones Siri can and can’t handle. For that matter, I wonder if thick regional accents are a problem to “her”. Was the actress/model playing Siri anybody famous? Amy’s bi-crush on Penny hasn’t been on the show nearly as long as Raj’s gynophobia, but will soon be as old. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/24 "2012-01-28T08:17:05Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Was the actress/model playing Siri anybody famous? Apparently she was [on American Idol](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Becky_and_Jessie_O%27Donohue). ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/25 "2012-01-28T08:22:21Z")
The long running not so subtle ad for the new Iphone annoyed me more than the actual jokes themselves. Otara ---
**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:** [January 28, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/26 "2012-01-28T16:45:14Z")
“New?” That sucker is last year’s model. The new one will be out this spring. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/27 "2012-01-28T17:16:55Z")
> [@Barking\_Dog](#): > > And, sadly, seems to be the show’s main draw and source of drama these days. I finally started watching back episodes, and the whole thrust of the show from Day One (or Season 1, Episode 1, if you will) is the relationship not only among the guys, but between Penny and Leonard. And some of us like it, and watch for that reason! ---
**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:** [January 28, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/28 "2012-01-28T17:36:41Z")
Seconded! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/29 "2012-01-28T19:19:42Z")
I had fun with this episode and even the appearance of Kripke didn’t ruin it for me. (Usually I loath the whole voice impediment thing, but at least this time they had a reason for it.) ---
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/30 "2012-01-28T19:41:06Z")
I must be out of sync with the SDMB wrt Big Bang Theory. Whenever the Dope loves an episode I don’t like it. And this week, when the Dope seems to not have liked it, I liked it (especially the fun with flags bit) Two things about Raj: [ul] [li]Most viewers want his condition cured, but it looks like it may never happen. Chuck Lorre, in response to a question about whether Raj will ever be cured, said that Raj’s condition is based on a similar condition that one of Chuck Lorre’s acquaintances in real life had, and that acquaintance was never cured.[/li] [li]Even if they don’t cure him, they should at least make him less of a loser. When Leonard or Howard strike out with women, somehow it isn’t that bad, and is quite funny, perhaps because they occasionally get some action. In contrast, Raj’s situation is just sad and not funny at all, perhaps because all three of his friends are now paired and he is the last one who is girlfriend-less.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/31 "2012-01-28T19:52:23Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > Most viewers want his condition cured, but it looks like it may never happen. Chuck Lorre, in response to a question about whether Raj will ever be cured, said that Raj’s condition is based on a similar condition that one of Chuck Lorre’s acquaintances in real life had, and that acquaintance was never cured. Correction: It looks like it was co-creator [Bill Prady’s acquaintance](http://weblogs.variety.com/season_pass/2009/05/big-bang-theory-we-didnt-anticipate-how-protective-the-audience-would-feel-toward-our-guys.html): > [@](#): > > Q. I was wondering if Raj is ever going to be able to speak to women? He seems like such a smooth talker (even when drunk) and I think it’s hilarious how he manages to get the attention of girls. > > A. Raj may someday seek treatment for his selective mutism. The fellow I knew whose malady we based Raj’s on, never did. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/32 "2012-01-28T20:00:20Z")
I’ve been a fan of this show since it started, and this episode was funny enough to keep me watching, but I’m a touch disappointed at how sloppy they’re getting. Just after making me think they were starting to pay attention again with last week’s mostly-sensical Settlers of Catan joke, too. You would think a show purporting to be about nitpick-happy geeks could bother to employ one. [Nerd Rant] Specifically, there is absolutely no way Sheldon would have let Amy slide on the line “Doctor Who sure does have a thing for modern-day London”. Hell, I caught it, and I’ve seen maybe two episodes in my life…but I’m a geek, and as such I’ve encountered other geeks who watch Doctor Who, and as anyone in my demographic could tell you, the title character’s name is “The Doctor”. You do NOT want to call him “Doctor Who” in front of a true fan unless you’re in the mood for a ten-minute lecture. They are very persnickety about this. And these are real people, not a live-action cartoon character who draws up fifty-page legal agreements to go on dates. I’m happy to let nitpicks slide when they’re in the name of humor — that ridiculous excuse for a CCG they play, for example, is hilarious, whereas a real game of Magic would put viewers to sleep — but given that Sheldon’s next line was to rebuff Amy for her statement anyway, it could easily have been for her actual error (a far more egregious offense in his eyes) instead of her sarcastic tone. It’s just laziness; any actual on-set geek who was paying attention would easily have caught this. [/NR] Ah well. Still a good show. Loved the Siri bits, and I’m glad to see Leonard and Penny back together. You can also add me to the people who’d totally watch Sheldon’s flag fact podcast, too! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/33 "2012-01-28T21:55:49Z")
Unfortunately nobody in this week’s discussion used the secret word, which this week was vexillology So prize is double next week! ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/34 "2012-01-29T01:18:12Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Look again. Penny hands Leonard the semi she has racked and loaded, then kisses him. He has the weapon in his right hand, and it falls to his side. He ADs when they kiss. He then places the weapon next to the tray. It looks to be a double-stack 9mm. I missed that. I thought he had picked up the revolver ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/35 "2012-01-29T01:41:50Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > … > [Nerd Rant] > Specifically, there is absolutely no way Sheldon would have let Amy slide on the line “Doctor Who sure does have a thing for modern-day London”. > [/NR] A case could be made that “Doctor Who” refers to the title of the show, which is correct. However, upon rewatching that scene, Amy prefaces the above statement with “For someone who has a machine that can travel anywhere in time and space”. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/36 "2012-01-29T01:46:18Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > Specifically, there is absolutely no way Sheldon would have let Amy slide on the line “Doctor Who sure does have a thing for modern-day London”. Hell, I caught it, and I’ve seen maybe two episodes in my life…but I’m a geek, and as such I’ve encountered other geeks who watch Doctor Who, and as anyone in my demographic could tell you, the title character’s name is “The Doctor”. You do NOT want to call him “Doctor Who” in front of a true fan unless you’re in the mood for a ten-minute lecture. They are very persnickety about this. And these are real people, not a live-action cartoon character who draws up fifty-page legal agreements to go on dates. My wife picked up on that blunder, too. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/37 "2012-01-29T01:48:07Z")
well my particular nit to pick about raj’s condition is that the joke as it is has been stagnant for too long. little bumps in the road like it interfering with his work and the deaf girl make it interesting. having burnadette/penny repeatedly pat him on the head and tell him he’s sweet/broken/sad is not amusing anymore. personally i would like it if the rules of his selective mutism had rules. he can talk to his mom. his sister. and? how about women he doesn’t find attractive? could he talk to AFF if he wanted to? could he talk to howard’s mom? can he talk to a husky-voiced woman sight-unseen like a drive through? transgender? there are so many wrinkles to explore instead of just him clamming up whenever penny walks into the room. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/38 "2012-01-29T02:09:23Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > Correction: It looks like it was co-creator [Bill Prady’s acquaintance](http://weblogs.variety.com/season_pass/2009/05/big-bang-theory-we-didnt-anticipate-how-protective-the-audience-would-feel-toward-our-guys.html): Since Raj can talk to his mother and sister maybe he can find a cousin he can talk to. Also he can date deaf girls. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/39 "2012-01-29T02:21:42Z")
I expected Sheldon to reply to Amy’s comment by pointing out that most of the modern-day stuff in Doctor Who is done in Cardiff, not London. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772/40 "2012-01-29T07:40:47Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > [Nerd Rant] > > Specifically, there is absolutely no way Sheldon would have let Amy slide on the line “Doctor Who sure does have a thing for modern-day London”. Hell, I caught it, and I’ve seen maybe two episodes in my life…but I’m a geek, and as such I’ve encountered other geeks who watch Doctor Who, and as anyone in my demographic could tell you, the title character’s name is “The Doctor”. You do NOT want to call him “Doctor Who” in front of a true fan unless you’re in the mood for a ten-minute lecture. They are very persnickety about this. And these are real people, not a live-action cartoon character who draws up fifty-page legal agreements to go on dates. > > I’m happy to let nitpicks slide when they’re in the name of humor — that ridiculous excuse for a CCG they play, for example, is hilarious, whereas a real game of Magic would put viewers to sleep — but given that Sheldon’s next line was to rebuff Amy for her statement anyway, it could easily have been for her actual error (a far more egregious offense in his eyes) instead of her sarcastic tone. It’s just laziness; any actual on-set geek who was paying attention would easily have caught this. > > [/NR] I liked how the music that was playing on the TV during that scene was an actual music track from **Doctor Who**. (Although, it happened to be from one of the episodes that _doesn’t_ take place on Earth… “Silence in the Library,” in case anyone was wondering.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-1-26-the-beta-test-initiation/610772.md?page=3)