# The Big Bang Theory 9-27-12: The Date Night Variable **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 27, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029 "2012-09-27T15:26:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/41 "2012-09-28T21:19:02Z")
If Leonard’s mother could unfrost her womb enough to have 3 children, Sheldon can loosen up his loins enough to show a touch of physical affection to AFF. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/42 "2012-09-28T21:28:19Z")
Call me crazy, but I have a theory. Sheldon cannot commit to AFF because deep down (& I’m talking \*\*deep \*\*here) he loves Penny. Penny cannot commit to Leonard because, deep down (& I’m talking \*\*deep \*\*here) she loves Sheldon. (& yes, I realize this makes me sounds like a teenager who reads too much fan fiction (which is only partially true) but I do not care, it’s still what I think. There’s too much chemistry there to ignore. There. I finally came out and admitted it. I’m a Shenny 'shipper. :o ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/43 "2012-09-29T00:16:57Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > If Raj was gay women wouldn’t intimidate him so much he couldn’t speak around them. You can’t really generalize like that. And besides, if you were very closeted, you might invent that intimidation to explain why there’s no woman in your life. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/44 "2012-09-29T05:38:25Z")
_“I can’t believe they won the Cold War.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/45 "2012-09-29T06:28:36Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > Penny is a serial nonserious dater. Her serious though off-and-on relationship with Leonard is her fish-out-of-water experience. Leonard is the most normal of the guys so a closer to normal serious relationship is possible for him. After breaking up she went on the date that wasn’t with Leonard, it was the first time she wasn’t using him or any man. While his ‘you should go to college’ insinuation was insulting it was the first time she was ever mentally challenged by a man. Not that she doesn’t have daddy issues ( daddy used to be a jock) but this is her first relationship too. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/46 "2012-09-29T15:53:28Z")
_He looks down on us, like a Jewish Greek god… Zeusowitz_ ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/47 "2012-09-29T17:02:31Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > This episode was rife with inaccuracies. The explanation I came up with to account for inaccuracies in TBBT is that each episode of the show takes place in a different universe, of which there are an infinite number. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/48 "2012-09-29T17:34:44Z")
> [@Kal](#): > > The explanation I came up with to account for inaccuracies in TBBT is that each episode of the show takes place in a different universe, of which there are an infinite number. … and in none of them is Sheldon dancing. Bazinga! ---
**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:** [September 29, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/49 "2012-09-29T20:32:00Z")
> [@well\_he\_s\_back](#): > > I like Stuart too. He’s been one of my favorite occasional characters on the show. Wasn’t Stuart originally far less pathetic? I seem to recall him as a fairly together guy in the earlier episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/50 "2012-09-29T20:50:57Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Wasn’t Stuart originally far less pathetic? I seem to recall him as a fairly together guy in the earlier episodes. Yes, he’s gotten quite a bit sadder. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/51 "2012-09-29T21:41:45Z")
Stuart got dumped by his plus-size Wonder Woman girlfriend awhile back, and has been on a downward slide ever since. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/52 "2012-09-29T21:55:41Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Wasn’t Stuart originally far less pathetic? I seem to recall him as a fairly together guy in the earlier episodes. Yes, in the beginning he was even a bit superior and condescending with the rest of the guys. The shift to hyper-pathetic seemed quite abrupt. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/53 "2012-09-29T22:27:30Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Wasn’t Stuart originally far less pathetic? I seem to recall him as a fairly together guy in the earlier episodes. I prefer him less pathetic. He’s too much of sad sack now. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/54 "2012-09-29T23:18:31Z")
Well, with Howard married and Sheldon and Leonard in relationships, the alternative is an even more pathetic Raj, and they’ve already done that. ---
**Author:** ![BTEzra04](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@BTEzra04](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BTEzra04)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/55 "2012-09-29T23:57:54Z")
Yeah, Raj is getting fairly old with his pathetic mode. Am I the only one who wants to see more of his yorkie? I loved the little nod they gave to the dog, but I wish they’d show it again. That was one of my favorites from last season 🙂 I, too, was a little annoyed they didn’t have Penny actually come out and say that she loves Leonard. Makes me wonder if she’s said it at all to any of her dates, but given that she’s supposed to be 22 (or is it around 24 now?) I guess it wouldn’t be so surprising. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/56 "2012-09-30T02:36:29Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > Yes, in the beginning he was even a bit superior and condescending with the rest of the guys. The shift to hyper-pathetic seemed quite abrupt. Didn’t he and Penny date for about a day? Maybe being dumped by her started the downward slide. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/57 "2012-09-30T03:05:04Z")
I just saw this episode in reruns. Stuart asked Penny on a date, then actually asks Leonard for advice on how best to get Penny to like him. Leonard’s advice, summed up, was basically “act like me”, hoping this would get Stuart results no better than Leonard. Stuart reported back that Leonard’s advice actually was effective. Except that, while Stuart and Penny were necking, she said, “Oh, Leonard!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/58 "2012-09-30T03:30:48Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Didn’t he and Penny date for about a day? Maybe being dumped by her started the downward slide. I think it’s economic. His comic shop is failing (Raj was his only customer of the day), he’s broke, and homeless. (He lives at the shop, remember.) ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/59 "2012-09-30T04:34:52Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > I think it’s economic. His comic shop is failing (Raj was his only customer of the day), he’s broke, and homeless. (He lives at the shop, remember.) I’m thinking along these lines, as well. His self-esteem has plummeted as the comic book shop has become less profitable. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029/60 "2012-09-30T15:26:00Z")
I read somewhere (_TV Guide_, I think) that Raj will be getting a real girlfriend this season. So the Raj-as-pathetic theme will be going by the wayside soon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-9-27-12-the-date-night-variable/636029.md?page=4)