# The Big Bang Theory, May 8, 2014 -- "The Gorilla Dissolution" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 8, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978 "2014-05-08T15:13:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/101 "2014-05-11T12:16:36Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > …chili with beans… _shudder_ The horror…the horror… ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/102 "2014-05-11T12:41:39Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Probably a lot of confirmation bias, but I think there is a reference to Jumping the Shark in every TBBT episode thread. > > I cannot believe there are this many people still watching TBBT after seeing the criticisms week after week after week. Nobody watches that show anymore. It’s too popular. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/103 "2014-05-11T12:43:43Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > The show’s been on for seven years, and I think Raj was supposed to be around before the start of the show, so yeah, he’s way overstayed his VISA. At this point it’s 11 years (2003) and counting as Sheldon’s roommate and Leonard already was friends with Raj (and Howard) by that time. Cf. _The Staircase Implementation_. Like much of the show’s career-related details, Raj’s visa status is for sitcom purposes. As for chili: the standard can of chili had beans before most (all?) of us were born. We had a choice of “chili” or “chili con carne”. I.e., meat was the option, not the beans. Get over it. Deal with it. Reality is reality. Move on. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2014, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/104 "2014-05-11T12:55:29Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > Doing some Googling, he probably has a US H1-B Visa. According to [this Site](http://jobsearch.about.com/od/workvisas/a/h-1b-visa.htm) the max someone can stay is six years. Kunal Nayyar has been in the US since 1999. Did he have to become a citizen to stay that long? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/105 "2014-05-11T13:30:50Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > At this point it’s 11 years (2003) and counting as Sheldon’s roommate and Leonard already was friends with Raj (and Howard) by that time. Cf. _The Staircase Implementation_. > > Like much of the show’s career-related details, Raj’s visa status is for sitcom purposes. > > As for chili: the standard can of chili had beans before most (all?) of us were born. We had a choice of “chili” or “chili con carne”. I.e., meat was the option, not the beans. Get over it. Deal with it. Reality is reality. Move on. Meat was never the option. “Chili con carne” is the full name of the dish. “Chili” is just the short form. You can argue about whether beans are standard or not, but beans-only has never been the default. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2014, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/106 "2014-05-11T13:36:20Z")
No, no, no! A thread about how terrible and soon-to-be-canceled the most popular sitcom on TV is is infinitely better than a thread about what constitutes chili. The only thing worse is de-clawed cats. Or tipping. Or taking off your shoes inside your house. God, but this board is full of cantankerous blowhards. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/107 "2014-05-11T13:36:40Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I can’t believe people are still watching the show and bitching about it. If it so offends you, shut it the fuck off. The rest of us will keep enjoying the show. That sums it up nicely. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/108 "2014-05-11T13:38:26Z")
Unfortunately, I agree that it’s worth canceling at this point. It’s lost it’s magic over the last two seasons. But who knows? Maybe if Netflix or Hulu picked it up and the writers got more free reign, they might breathe new life into it. I’m not so optimistic. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/109 "2014-05-11T13:39:59Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > God, but this board is full of cantankerous blowhards. Well, duh. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/110 "2014-05-11T13:45:50Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Unfortunately, I agree that it’s worth canceling at this point. It’s lost it’s magic over the last two seasons. But who knows? Maybe if Netflix or Hulu picked it up and the writers got more free reign, they might breathe new life into it. I’m not so optimistic. Whoops. I am just responding in the wrong thread, aren’t I? (That was supposed to be in the “Community” thread.) I’m still enjoying the Big Bang Theory for the show that it is. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/111 "2014-05-11T13:48:22Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised if, having given up acting, her dream role suddenly falls into her lap. > [@TriPolar](#): > > In an older thread there was speculation about her getting cast in good sci-fi series or movie giving her cred with the brainiacs. I hoped things would go down that road. … Right. She is still the face of the bisexual go-go dancer slowly turning into a killer gorrilla. In this universe that could lead to something else. In this universe the director might have fired her for caring about her craft in a movie that he hated himself for participating in and hire her for a future project that is a bit higher end. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/112 "2014-05-11T14:05:08Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > No kidding. It’s not like we’re talking about chili with beans, or something. > > Am I right?!!? Sheldon weighs in… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/XXChcvVPv2A/hqdefault.jpg "Big Bang Theory - Chili") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXChcvVPv2A) ---
**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:** [May 11, 2014, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/113 "2014-05-11T14:09:01Z")
That has got to be the most appropriate inappropriate wrong thread post ever, **pulykamell**. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/114 "2014-05-11T14:16:29Z")
Raj is the show’s Pepino. He’ll stick around. ---
**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:** [May 11, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/115 "2014-05-11T16:07:03Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > God, but this board is full of cantankerous blowhards. Hey! I’m a cantankerous asshole, not a blowhard. Get it straight! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/116 "2014-05-11T16:07:44Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > That has got to be the most appropriate inappropriate wrong thread post ever, **pulykamell**. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/117 "2014-05-11T17:49:55Z")
The show will redeem itself a lot for me if Penny and Leonard figure out that not only should they NOT get married, but they need to find better partners. They need to grow up and realize that they’re terrible as a couple, because they are. Then the show can have story arcs as they both move on, as friends, but not as a couple. And Sheldon needs to quit being so mean. He was funny when he was clueless and self-centered. Now he’s just obnoxious and I don’t care about him any longer. Amy deserves better. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/118 "2014-05-11T18:03:36Z")
I never thought this show was good for the plots. It has at times been very well written, and the geeks are unique characters. Penny gets to play the dumb blond in a new way in comparison to her high IQ friends. So if people got into the plots I can understand their disappointment. If they came for the nerd jokes I can see how they’re being disappointed also, but it’s all recoverable. I think on this show jumping the shark will be Sheldon and Amy having coitus. They don’t have to ruin it, but it will be hard for them to resist turning it into a 3 episode ratings event. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/119 "2014-05-11T18:20:22Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I think on this show jumping the shark will be Sheldon and Amy having coitus. They don’t have to ruin it, but it will be hard for them to resist turning it into a 3 episode ratings event. I think what might make an interesting episode is if Amy cheated on Sheldon once, spontaneously, simply to “fulfill her needs.” Not sure how it would work, but she’s been played lately as being pretty sexually frustrated, and Sheldon’s oblivious and uninterested. It would be cool to explore both their reactions to Amy’s one-night stand: I’m not sure Sheldon would even care, and that would probably irritate Amy because she’d be feeling guilty and thinking he _should_ care if he cared about her. The clash of mindsets (with both of them being right but being unable to see each other’s side) would be fun to watch if handled right. ETA: Plus, if she actually ended up really _enjoying_ coitus, then how would that affect her ongoing relationship with Sheldon now that she knows what she’s missing? ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978/120 "2014-05-11T19:15:17Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > If I remember right he has a work VISA and can stay in the country while working for the university. > > Doing some Googling, he probably has a US H1-B Visa. According to [this Site](http://jobsearch.about.com/od/workvisas/a/h-1b-visa.htm) the max someone can stay is six years. > > The show’s been on for seven years, and I think Raj was supposed to be around before the start of the show, so yeah, he’s way overstayed his VISA. He might have gotten a [Genius Visa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_visa) given to “aliens of extraordinary ability” specifically the O-1A visa. Initially given for three years, it can be renewed for one year at a time indefinitely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-may-8-2014-the-gorilla-dissolution/687978.md?page=7)