# The Big Bang Theory, Season 9, Episode 14 -- "The Meemaw Materialization" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 4, 2016, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174 "2016-02-04T20:53:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/41 "2016-02-05T18:45:29Z")
the rumour/spoiler is true. i have read taping reports. it read like a really nice episode. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/42 "2016-02-05T19:14:04Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I dont get the Emily hate.😕 I know; preternatural blondeness vs. redhead, tough call. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/43 "2016-02-05T19:14:25Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > I was sort of hoping Meemaw would have a personality exactly like Penny, whkich would explain so, so many things about the Sheldon/Penny relationship. Oh yes - this definitely could have been a winner! ---
**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:** [February 5, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/44 "2016-02-05T19:43:16Z")
Anyone know if Melissa Rauch is pregnant in real life? The storyline might not be a choice. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/45 "2016-02-05T19:57:16Z")
BTW, I agree that Memaw was completely Meh. I think part of it was that she had no blocking. All she did was sit on Sheldon’s spot for the whole episode. I get that they wanted to make a point she was sitting in Sheldon’s spot, but, geez, we got it, especially when Amy had a line about it. I think the reason Chloris Leachman seems like such an attractive choice for Memaw was that you know she would have been all over the set. There’s no way that woman would have sat still. They also shouldn’t have picked someone so short. Laurie Metcalf is tall, and so was the actress who played Sheldon’s sister. If they had to go with someone short, and Chloris Leachman wasn’t available, my personal choice would be Anita Gillette. The reason is that she can bring even a crap script to life. And she is very good at the slow subtle dig playing a mother grilling her son’s girlfriend, so she could, I’m sure, do it as a grandmother. But she can be sweet as syrup on ice cream as well. (As far as the Penny similarities, Gillette did play Sally Bowles in the 1960s.) I think the idea was that they would get someone really cuddly and old-lady-- you know, the Aunt Bee type-- so when she lashed out at Amy, it was a shock, but it was a complete FAIL; didn’t work at all. I don’t know it you can lay it on the director, or the actress just failed to pull it off, or it was so poorly written, that only someone top-notch could have turned the crap into cream, but whatever dynamics were happening, the joke just didn’t come off at all. If they ever have someone play Penny’s mother, I hope they get Roseanne. And if the ever have someone play Bernadette’s grandmother, is _must_ be Georgia Engel. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/46 "2016-02-05T20:14:37Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > If they ever have someone play Penny’s mother, I hope they get Roseanne. . I despise her, and would stop watching. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2016, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/47 "2016-02-05T21:47:04Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Yeah, but Howard being a stay-at-home dad could actually be pretty funny. I predict that if the rumor is true, Howard and Bernadette will hire Stuart to be their “nanny,” and he’ll come back and live with them again to take care of the kid. Given his creepy propensities lately it would probably be better if the kid were a boy, but Stuart _did_ take good care of Howard’s mom so he obviously has talents in this direction. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/48 "2016-02-05T21:56:34Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > If they ever have someone play Penny’s mother, I hope they get Roseanne. Oh, God, no!!! :mad: ---
**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:** [February 5, 2016, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/49 "2016-02-05T22:03:32Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > Strange? She’s married to Sheldon’s best friend and roommate. If anyone knew it would be Leonard, and if Leonard told anyone it would be Penny. What would be strange is neither of them knowing. In fact, you could posit that them not knowing _beforehand_ was a lame move by the writers to make the breakup believable. Sheldon not consulting them was out of character. And when the engagement ring was mentioned, Penny and Leonard weren’t surprised (because they knew about it) - and Amy noticed their lack of surprise. Amy had a hard time in high school, so she’s probably quite sensitive about friends of hers keeping important secrets from her. ---
**Author:** ![Calla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Calla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calla)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/50 "2016-02-05T22:06:34Z")
I was surprised that Amy found out about the ring from Meemaw. I thought she was going to find out when watching the “Spockumentary”. Sheldon mentioned the ring while they were filming. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/51 "2016-02-05T22:07:23Z")
If they want someone to play Penny’s mother, she should be a hot middle-aged blonde with big boobs, and probably not too bright. Do any Midwestern Germanic/Dutch/Scandinavian-type actresses come to mind?\* \*I know one in Minnesota (ex Wisconsin). ---
**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:** [February 5, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/52 "2016-02-05T22:20:57Z")
According to a line Sheldon had in an earlier episode, Penny’s mother is fat. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/53 "2016-02-05T22:34:29Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > According to a line Sheldon had in an earlier episode, Penny’s mother is fat. I imagine Gina is too by now, though 40 years ago she was a dead ringer for Penny. :o ---
**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:** [February 5, 2016, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/54 "2016-02-05T23:12:21Z")
Kaley Cuoco looks rather a lot like Virginia Madsen. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/55 "2016-02-05T23:15:16Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > If they want someone to play Penny’s mother, she should be a hot middle-aged blonde with big boobs, and probably not too bright. Do any Midwestern Germanic/Dutch/Scandinavian-type actresses come to mind?\* > > \*I know one in Minnesota (ex Wisconsin). I think Valerie Perrine would work beautifully, although I thought I heard she was having health problems. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/56 "2016-02-05T23:16:06Z")
I’d always hoped they’d keep up the _Roseanne_ crossovers (Johnny Galecki, Darlene Gilbert, Laurie Metcalfe) by letting Meemaw be played by Estelle Parsons. A more Texas version of Bev from Roseanne (or a 50 years older version of Blanche from _Bonnie & Clyde_) would be horrible enough to stare down Sheldon and Amy combined. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/57 "2016-02-05T23:39:51Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I dont get the Emily hate.😕 > > This epi was Ok, a few laughs. Sheldon was not as big a jerk as usual. Oh, I like Emily, I just have to admit that Raj had some pretty good chemistry going on with the new girl. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/58 "2016-02-06T00:24:28Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > Oh, I like Emily, I just have to admit that Raj had some pretty good chemistry going on with the new girl. I like Emily (she likes _House of 1,000 Corpses_), and I **don’t** like _Village of the Damned_ girl. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/59 "2016-02-06T00:26:02Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I’d always hoped they’d keep up the _Roseanne_ crossovers (Johnny Galecki, Darlene Gilbert, Laurie Metcalfe) by letting Meemaw be played by Estelle Parsons. That would have been excellent. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174/60 "2016-02-06T00:27:57Z")
BTW, is this Memaw and Poppop a Southern thing? People in Southern Indiana and Kentucky say things like that, but not people from Northern Indiana. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-14-the-meemaw-materialization/745174.md?page=4)