# The Big Bang Theory, Season 11, Episode 5 (October 23, 2017) -- “The Collaboration Contamination” **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 24, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725 "2017-10-24T15:17:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/1 "2017-10-24T15:17:41Z")
I didn’t see a thread for this so here it is. Kind of a boring episode. Nothing really stood out except for the Amy and Howard dancing part. Penny using the baby book on Sheldon was kind of funny. So was Bernadette getting Sheldon to clean her house. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/2 "2017-10-24T16:08:04Z")
I liked the subtle Penn and Teller reference as well. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/3 "2017-10-24T16:38:15Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I liked the subtle Penn and Teller reference as well. Wait, where? I missed it. It was sort of a slow episode. Usually there is a A plot and a B plot. The A plot is the main plot, and has the most character development, as well as moving the season along, and the B plot serves as a distraction to add to the suspense, and usually provides some visual humor. This one felt like it had three B plots and no A plot. There were lots of individual laughs, but this one really should have been tabled. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/4 "2017-10-24T16:42:28Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Wait, where? I missed it. I said it was subtle. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/5 "2017-10-24T16:56:33Z")
I liked it. Mainly because it wasn’t just a bunch of them sitting in the living room talking about stuff the whole time. The quick cuts were good too, more content than typical. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/6 "2017-10-24T16:58:37Z")
The “Sheldon-as-an-easily-manipulated-child” routine was done pretty well, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/7 "2017-10-24T17:09:11Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I liked the subtle Penn and Teller reference as well. > [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Wait, where? I missed it. When Howard tells Amy to look in her brain model and she finds a card (the climax of a card trick, presumably) it’s the three of clubs. Penn and Teller have expressed a fondness for using the three of clubs in card tricks.[sup]\*[/sup] - Mostly Penn. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/8 "2017-10-24T17:10:12Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > When Howard tells Amy to look in her brain model and she finds a card (the climax of a card trick, presumably) it’s the three of clubs. Penn and Teller have expressed a fondness for using the three of clubs in card tricks.[sup]\*[/sup] > > - Mostly Penn. Oh, I see. Had no idea! ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/9 "2017-10-24T17:16:12Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > When Howard tells Amy to look in her brain model and she finds a card (the climax of a card trick, presumably) it’s the three of clubs. Penn and Teller have expressed a fondness for using the three of clubs in card tricks.[sup]\*[/sup] > > - Mostly Penn. In one of their books where they taught how to do a card force, they listed a phone number you could call that would just say “Three of Clubs!”. You were supposed to write down the number, force the card, then have your victim call it. They also had a (short) list of restaurants where if you ordered a “P&T” special or something like that, they’d bring out your victim’s meal with a 3 of clubs card on top. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/10 "2017-10-24T17:33:33Z")
So in this episode, Howard and Amy bond over Neil Sedaka songs. Previously, they had bonded over Neil Diamond songs. Basically they just like things by guys named Neil. I await the episode where they listen to Neil Young music, watch a TV show starring Neil Patrick Harris, and discuss the novels of Neil Gaiman. ---
**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 24, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/11 "2017-10-24T18:00:15Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > In one of their books where they taught how to do a card force, they listed a phone number you could call that would just say “Three of Clubs!”. You were supposed to write down the number, force the card, then have your victim call it. > > They also had a (short) list of restaurants where if you ordered a “P&T” special or something like that, they’d bring out your victim’s meal with a 3 of clubs card on top. They also have a monument at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles - a plaque set in the ground that has the 3 of Clubs on it and says “Is this your card?” ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/12 "2017-10-24T23:16:38Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > In one of their books where they taught how to do a card force, they listed a phone number you could call that would just say “Three of Clubs!”. You were supposed to write down the number, force the card, then have your victim call it. > > They also had a (short) list of restaurants where if you ordered a “P&T” special or something like that, they’d bring out your victim’s meal with a 3 of clubs card on top. How to Play With Your Food. If you look carefully at the cover there is a pizza on the table with the 3 of clubs made with pepperoni. > **[Penn and Teller's How to Play with Your Food: Jillette, Penn: 9780679743118:...](https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Tellers-Play-Your-Food/dp/0679743111)** > > Penn and Teller's How to Play with Your Food \[Jillette, Penn\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Penn and Teller's How to Play with Your Food ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/13 "2017-10-24T23:24:12Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > When Howard tells Amy to look in her brain model and she finds a card (the climax of a card trick, presumably) it’s the three of clubs. Penn and Teller have expressed a fondness for using the three of clubs in card tricks.[sup]\*[/sup] > > - Mostly Penn. Yeah. I just rewatched it this afternoon, because it is still on the DVR. I got it this time. Also, the “Let’s do science” conversation between Amy and Sheldon was funny-- but that was the problem with the episode. There were lots of funny moments, but it was almost like watching an outtake episode. There wasn’t a really good thread connecting them. Usually the plot of the episode is stronger. I mean, you practically could have rearranged all the scenes, and the episode would have made just as much sense. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2017, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/14 "2017-10-24T23:46:59Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > … but that was the problem with the episode. There were lots of funny moments, but it was almost like watching an outtake episode. There wasn’t a really good thread connecting them. Usually the plot of the episode is stronger. I mean, you practically could have rearranged all the scenes, and the episode would have made just as much sense. That’s what I liked about it. It’s too slow when they just sit around talking. I like the variety because there isn’t much to the story anymore. It’s not like beginning of the show about 4 clueless guys anymore, they’re all hooked up (except for Raj who does nothing but complain about being alone). What they really missed was seeing Sheldon trying to do the chores. I find it hard to believe he could change all the batteries in their smoke detectors without breaking anything, getting injured himself, or repeatedly bothering Bernadette (and I assume she won’t be doing much for a while because she’s pregnant IRL). I also thought the Tom Sawyer reference was fantastic, I’ve found far more people than I thought know nothing about the fence. ---
**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 25, 2017, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/15 "2017-10-25T03:04:18Z")
For an episode where nothing happened, it was much better than the previous episodes. Actually moderately entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/16 "2017-10-25T12:12:48Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > How to Play With Your Food. If you look carefully at the cover there is a pizza on the table with the 3 of clubs made with pepperoni. > > [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Tellers-Play-Your-Food/dp/0679743111) They actually did 2 tricks with the 3 of clubs in that book. There’s the pizza one, where you set it up with your own pizza place ahead of time to make a 3 of clubs out of toppings on the pizza. There’s also the fancy restaurant one, where they had a list of 16 restaurants they had set up the trick ahead of time, and they’d deliver the an actual 3 of clubs playing card in your victim’s entree. That’s the 3 of clubs sticking out of the spaghetti on the cover. The book is 25 years old, so I doubt any of the restaurants that still exist still play along. I know that that the 2 Massachusetts restaurants have closed. And the phone number to dial is from “Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends”. I tried it this morning, it goes to a real estate company now. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/17 "2017-10-25T12:49:52Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > They actually did 2 tricks with the 3 of clubs in that book. There’s the pizza one, where you set it up with your own pizza place ahead of time to make a 3 of clubs out of toppings on the pizza. There’s also the fancy restaurant one, where they had a list of 16 restaurants they had set up the trick ahead of time, and they’d deliver the an actual 3 of clubs playing card in your victim’s entree. That’s the 3 of clubs sticking out of the spaghetti on the cover. > > The book is 25 years old, so I doubt any of the restaurants that still exist still play along. I know that that the 2 Massachusetts restaurants have closed. > > And the phone number to dial is from “Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends”. I tried it this morning, it goes to a real estate company now. well, if you want to use one of their forces to get the Three of Clubs out there, you can get hold of the videotape of _Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends_: > [@](#): > > The opening trick involved learning a simple effect called a card force. The trick involved distracting the victim and forcing them to select the three of clubs from a deck of cards. The magician asks them to make a simple wager on the outcome, and purposefully picks the wrong card from the deck. After doing so the magician asks the victim to watch some TV. When the TV is turned on, the videotape shows a clip from the old Carole Lombard movie Nothing Sacred. After a TV bumper, a quick segment called “Newsbreak” comes on. The female newsreader reads a news piece about a new government scandal. After reading a few lines, the newsreader is given a breaking headline. She pauses, smiles brightly, holds up a jumbo-sized three of clubs and says “Is this your card?” The magician is then supposed to take the money, and laugh at his victim. > **[Penn & Teller's Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penn_%26_Teller%27s_Cruel_Tricks_for_Dear_Friends)** > > Penn & Teller's Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends is a 1987 direct-to-video program hosted by magicians Penn & Teller. Produced by The Mofo Video Corp. and released by Lorimar Home Video, the tape features seven different swindles or tricks that the home viewer can use to fool their friends. The tape was a companion piece to their best-selling book of the same name, released two years later. All of the tricks involve using a portion of the videotape. > The tape begins with an odd warning after the usu... Or you could go here: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdKaiYhon0I) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/18 "2017-10-25T20:54:44Z")
In one particular scene Sheldon had a very pronounced overbite and I found it distracting and now wonder if he always had it and I just never noticed. ---
**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 26, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/19 "2017-10-26T13:38:26Z")
I noticed the Howard & Amy “Neil” reference, too. I loved to see the two of them together. They have a great “friend” chemistry. Best line: I thought I was your work wife. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725/20 "2017-10-26T15:15:25Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I noticed the Howard & Amy “Neil” reference, too. I loved to see the two of them together. They have a great “friend” chemistry. > > Best line: I thought I was your work wife. Yeah, that was a great line! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-11-episode-5-october-23-2017-the-collaboration-contamination/799725.md?page=2)