# The Big Bang Theory, Season 8, Episode 8 (November 6, 2014) -- "The Prom Equivalency" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 6, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877 "2014-11-06T14:04:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/41 "2014-11-12T06:19:03Z")
You think they’ll find someone to replace her, put Debbie on a bus, or have Debbie pass away? ---
**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:** [November 12, 2014, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/42 "2014-11-12T06:42:18Z")
I think her death would not only have unique impact on the show, it’s the right time in Howard’s life for it to happen. Incidentally, I don’t think we’ve heard her voice this season, so they must have been well aware of it, and have options prepared. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2014, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/43 "2014-11-12T06:46:25Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I think her death would not only have unique impact on the show, it’s the right time in Howard’s life for it to happen. Stuart would be crushed. After the loss of his store, I’m not sure he could handle it. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/44 "2014-11-12T12:47:51Z")
Sorry to hear about the voice actress for Howard’s mom dying. I don’t think they’ll replace her, I’m betting they write her death into the script as a Very Special Episode. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/45 "2014-11-12T13:15:20Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Sorry to hear about the voice actress for Howard’s mom dying. I don’t think they’ll replace her, I’m betting they write her death into the script as a Very Special Episode. With perfect 20/20 hindsight, the whole Stewart/Debbie storyline has been crafted to write her out as a character. The writers and producers knew it was coming. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/46 "2014-11-12T14:38:36Z")
The show isn’t going to be the same without her. ☹ In the name of all that is good and holy, I fervently hope that they don’t pull the ‘Very Special Episode’ schtick. Stuart should just find her stuck in the bathtub with a half-eaten brisket in her mouth. I’ll bet my next paycheck that she will leave her entire estate to Stewie, igniting a new feud between Stuart and Howard. The funeral scene will probably be hilarious, as Howard won’t be able to find a casket big enough to hold her, and they’ll have to use a forklift to carry the shipping crate to the grave site. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/47 "2014-11-12T14:43:20Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > You think they’ll find someone to replace her, put Debbie on a bus, or have Debbie pass away? They could just have an off-screen Melissa Rauch do the voice. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/48 "2014-11-12T14:50:56Z")
This may be an opening to re-cast the role with someone who’s a better physical fit for Howard’s descriptions. The voice isn’t hard to do; it’s just screaming. At least Ms. Susi got a moment of stardom in her career. Thanks, Carol Ann. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/49 "2014-11-12T15:06:39Z")
According to IMDB, Carol Ann Susi has two credits this season on TBBT. The first episode of the season and the Prom episode last week. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2014, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/50 "2014-11-12T15:49:20Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > With perfect 20/20 hindsight, the whole Stewart/Debbie storyline has been crafted to write her out as a character. The writers and producers knew it was coming. You know, I had the same thought. I don’t think, however, that she’ll leave her estate to Stuart–or at least not the house. I wonder if Howard and Bernadette get the house, if it might start them thinking about their plans for having a kid. They have talked about it before. Didn’t she lend Stuart the money to set up another comic store? If so, he wouldn’t have to pay it back (or she could just forgive the loan in her will) and he could get back on his feet again. Ooh! Just had a thought. Stuart is very good with nurturing, and neither Howard nor Bernadette want to stay home with a kid–maybe Stuart could take on the nanny role if they had one. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/51 "2014-11-12T15:53:08Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > You know, I had the same thought. I don’t think, however, that she’ll leave her estate to Stuart–or at least not the house. I wonder if Howard and Bernadette get the house, if it might start them thinking about their plans for having a kid. I agree; however, there can be some comic mileage with Stuart squatting for a few episodes before Howard gets his inheritance. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/52 "2014-11-12T16:11:14Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > You know, I had the same thought. I don’t think, however, that she’ll leave her estate to Stuart–or at least not the house. I wonder if Howard and Bernadette get the house, if it might start them thinking about their plans for having a kid. They have talked about it before. > > Didn’t she lend Stuart the money to set up another comic store? If so, he wouldn’t have to pay it back (or she could just forgive the loan in her will) and he could get back on his feet again. > > Ooh! Just had a thought. Stuart is very good with nurturing, and neither Howard nor Bernadette want to stay home with a kid–maybe Stuart could take on the nanny role if they had one. Well, I don’t _want_ them to have a kid, but if they did that would be perfect! I’ve always thought a spin-off with Howard/Bernadette/Mrs. Wolowitz would be very watchable. But even if they get someone else to play her part, don’t know that it could work now. (RIP) As far as Sheldon having sex…considering how much he likes make up and role play I think he could be kinky as hell. Amy might find that she’s got more than she can handle. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![johnspartan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/53 "2014-11-12T16:35:58Z")
RIP the actress who provided the voice of Howard’s mom ☹ ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/54 "2014-11-12T16:46:49Z")
> [@BaldDudePeekskill](#): > > I don’t think that Sheldon and Amy having coitus would necessarily end TBBT…I would love to have them copulate and it be a revelation to Sheldon who then becomes a quasi sex-maniac. And better yet, have him be not too good at it, so that he’s got to develop and grow as a character by realizing that there IS something that Penny does better than he does. (or so we assume). That would be quite the shock for Sheldon, whose attitude toward Penny has been pretty much entirely patronizing so far in terms of his estimation of her skill or competence at anything. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/55 "2014-11-12T16:48:47Z")
> [@bump](#): > > And better yet, have him be not too good at it, so that he’s got to develop and grow as a character by realizing that there IS something Penny does well. (or so we assume). Or have Penny give him private lessons. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/56 "2014-11-12T17:09:58Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Or have Penny give him private lessons. While singing “Soft Kitty”. That would break the Internet. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/57 "2014-11-12T17:16:56Z")
> [@bump](#): > > And better yet, have him be not too good at it, so that he’s got to develop and grow as a character by realizing that there IS something that Penny does better than he does. (or so we assume). That would be quite the shock for Sheldon, whose attitude toward Penny has been pretty much entirely patronizing so far in terms of his estimation of her skill or competence at anything. That’s not entirely true. He went to her for acting lessons when he thought it would help him be a better teacher. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/58 "2014-11-12T18:34:46Z")
I doubt that Debbie went to the trouble of changing her will to include Stuart. And if she did, I don’t think she completely dis-inherited Howard. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/59 "2014-11-12T19:21:19Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I doubt that Debbie went to the trouble of changing her will to include Stuart. And if she did, I don’t think she completely dis-inherited Howard. But I can envision Stuart as a squatter because he has nowhere else to go. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2014, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877/60 "2014-11-12T22:33:49Z")
A better-than-the-recent-average episode. Some fine humor … except the whole prom thing just sat there and dragged it down. Dear _TBBT_ writers. Nerds don’t go to their proms\* because they _just don’t care_ about such things. They didn’t go because they couldn’t get dates or because the prom was only for “the cool kids” or anything. So the premise was flawed. The guys wouldn’t have gone along with it at all. Least of all Leonard since Penny clearly didn’t want to do it, so there wasn’t that pushing him into it. If you think that these guys rued missing their proms, then you don’t understand your characters at all. - Howard is sort of an exception. He dreamed of such things via his “ladies man” distortion field. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-8-episode-8-november-6-2014-the-prom-equivalency/703877.md?page=4)