# The Big Bang Theory, Season 9, Episode 17 (February 25, 2016) -- "The Celebration Experimentation"
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [February 26, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191 "2016-02-26T14:08:23Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2016, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/21 "2016-02-26T19:38:24Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> Her boobs seemed uneven in that dress. The right one looked lower than the left one. Never a good look.
I thought she looked fantastic, but then comparative anatomy was never my strong suit.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/22 "2016-02-26T19:46:55Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#):
>
> > [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
> >
> > Also what purpose did Adam West serve? Sheldon didn’t seem to understand or appreciate why they went to the trouble of getting him there.
>
> The purpose was that when Sheldon was a kid he had a party with some other kids and they told him Batman was coming so he got all excited but Batman never showed up. So the guys decided to get West to come to the Party as a way to make up for that.
> [SNIP]
> The salutes to Sheldon was dumb. It was just Sheldon saying, “Tell me how awesome I am.” which is always dumb.
I understood _why_ he was there but Sheldon barely acknowledged his presence and he didn’t really do anything there. Whatever money the guys spent on the appearance fee was wasted. And the “salutes to Sheldon” were idiotic.
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### Author:  [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/23 "2016-02-26T20:50:43Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#):
>
> I imagine they wanted to do something special for a 200th episode yet avoid the cliche clip show. So, that could explain bringing back Gilbert and I guess the other recurring characters.
>
> Oh, Kripke is going grey.
>
> One should remember that there’s a special bond between Sara Gilbert, Johnnie Galecki, Chuck Lorre, and Laurie Metcalf. They’re all survivors of working on “Roseanne”. They probably have stories to tell, but they’re too professional to talk about them with anyone who wasn’t there. Sort of like veterans talking about their experiences to folks who hadn’t “been there”.
I’ve missed some episodes since I started watching regularly a few years ago. Wasn’t Kripke an antagonist of Sheldon’s? He’s always trying to screw Sheldon and Leonard over, when did he turn over a new leaf and become their friend?
And when did Sheldon stop hating Wil Wheaton? I remember Wil was friends with Penny due to the ape movie they were in and the podcast, but around the same time, didn’t Wil try to break up Leonard and Penny over some trivia game?
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/24 "2016-02-26T20:55:49Z")
Some episodes? You’ve missed most episodes! At least lately.
Wil and Sheldon made nice after Wil gave him a signed Wesley Crusher action figure, mint in box. Which was promptly mangled by Brent Spiner, who replaced Wil on Sheldon’s Enemy List. Wil broke up Penny and Leonard seasons ago. The podcast was very recent.
Kripke and Sheldon “bonded” over Sheldon realizing that Kripke is smarted than he is, and at the same time Kripke thinking that the reason Sheldon was doing inferior work was the fact that he was sexing up Amy’s lady parts so much it was taxing his brain.
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### Author:  [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/25 "2016-02-26T21:21:34Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#):
>
> I thought she looked fantastic, but then comparative anatomy was never my strong suit.
I thought she looked pretty fine, myself.
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### Author:  [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2016, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/26 "2016-02-26T21:43:02Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#):
>
> Great to see Adam West, but damned if he didn’t act exactly like Professor Proton. I was surprised to see Sheldon so unimpressed that he was there
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> Also what purpose did Adam West serve? Sheldon didn’t seem to understand or appreciate why they went to the trouble of getting him there.
Sheldon’s indifference to Adam West last night is an example of the show being inconsistent. In an episode from several years ago, there was a bit of dialogue that went something like this …
\*The four guys come back to S & L’s apartment after they’d been to a garage sale. They’re bearing a box of old toys and SF memorabilia that they’d just bought. One of the guys (I can’t remember who) pulls out a figurine/toy relating to the '60’s tv show _Batman_ and exclaims
GUY: Look! It’s Adam West!
PENNY: Who’s Adam West?
SHELDON (scornfully): Who’s Adam West? Leonard, what do you two talk about after the coitus?
\*
This is taken from my un-Sheldonian, non-eidetic memory so it’s not guaranteed to be 100% accurate, but the gist of the dialogue is that Sheldon admires Mr. West and is contemptuous of anyone unfamiliar with the actor.
You’d think, therefore, that he’d be feeling awe and delight at having West as a guest. The indifference that he displays in last night’s episode is out of keeping with what we know about Sheldon.
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### Author:  [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/27 "2016-02-26T21:49:38Z")
> [@YogSothoth](#):
>
> The Adam West stuff reminded me of Adam West on Family Guy:
>
> “I didn’t need sculpted muscles or nipples. That was pure West”
That’s from the Simpsons I think.
> [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](#):
>
> This is taken from my un-Sheldonian, non-eidetic memory so it’s not guaranteed to be 100% accurate, but the gist of the dialogue is that Sheldon admires Mr. West and is contemptuous of anyone unfamiliar with the actor.
>
> You’d think, therefore, that he’d be feeling awe and delight at having West as a guest. The indifference that he displays in last night’s episode is out of keeping with what we know about Sheldon.
I assume that Sheldon’s lack of interest in West was a symptom of his extreme anxiety about the birthday party, but it would have been nice to see that conveyed more clearly.
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### Author:  [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/28 "2016-02-26T22:02:43Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#):
>
> I assume that Sheldon’s lack of interest in West was a symptom of his extreme anxiety about the birthday party, but it would have been nice to see that conveyed more clearly.
**Andy L** , you’re right.
Speaking of his anxiety, we’ve seen how sociable Drunk Sheldon is. I wonder why Amy didn’t pour him a couple of stiff ones while they were waiting in Penny’s place for the party to start?
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### Author:  [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2016, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/29 "2016-02-26T22:15:14Z")
When Sheldon paused for breath before going to the party, I had a flash of dread that they were going to give him a heart attack or something equally melodramatic. We were spared that, but it would be kind of interesting if they made chronic anxiety a recurring issue for Sheldon to deal with; it would make him more relatable without compromising his character.
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### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/30 "2016-02-27T00:20:53Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> Her boobs seemed uneven in that dress. The right one looked lower than the left one. Never a good look.
This is in spite of Leonard always going left.
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#):
>
> Oh, Kripke is going grey.
You mean “gwey.”
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### Author:  [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/31 "2016-02-27T02:21:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> I was amazed that they went on to plan and host a birthday party for a person who was being such a pain in the ass about participating in the planning of it. Personally, I would not have gone to the trouble.
As somebody who does not remotely care about my birthday and have no interest in even acknowledging it let alone having a party for it I can tell you that this really bothers some people to an amazing degree.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/32 "2016-02-27T02:33:48Z")
Presumably in your case, your family and friends know of your disinterest and don’t waste their time acknowledging your birthday.
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### Author:  [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/33 "2016-02-27T02:50:06Z")
They’ve overdone the bit with Leonard and his mother. It’s more cruel and sad than funny.
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### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/34 "2016-02-27T02:55:40Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#):
>
> They’ve overdone the bit with Leonard and his mother. It’s more cruel and sad than funny.
I agree. But it really does explain not only Leonard’s whiney and clingy behavior but also how he can stand living with Sheldon.
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### Author:  [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/35 "2016-02-27T03:03:23Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#):
>
> They’ve overdone the bit with Leonard and his mother. It’s more cruel and sad than funny.
Worse, even. She’s a monster.
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### Author:  [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/36 "2016-02-27T04:52:14Z")
Speaking of Leonard’s mother, how did Sheldon go to her birthday party without anyone else knowing about it?
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### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/37 "2016-02-27T04:57:52Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#):
>
> Speaking of Leonard’s mother, how did Sheldon go to her birthday party without anyone else knowing about it?
He does a lot of stuff therest of the crew are surprised to find out about. He’'s not stupid and if it suits him, he can do things just fine without the gang’s help.
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### Author:  [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/38 "2016-02-27T06:54:09Z")
I’m a big fan of the show and not normally very critical, but this epi seemed like a committee put it together.
And wasn’t Stan Lee supposed to be there? Did I snooze for a second and miss him?
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### Author:  [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/39 "2016-02-27T07:33:33Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#):
>
> Speaking of Leonard’s mother, how did Sheldon go to her birthday party without anyone else knowing about it?
> [@Biggirl](#):
>
> He does a lot of stuff therest of the crew are surprised to find out about. He’'s not stupid and if it suits him, he can do things just fine without the gang’s help.
He can do (some) things just fine without the gang’s help, but I think Leonard’s mother lives across the country. I think the gang would notice if Sheldon sent missing for a couple days. And celebrate.
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### Author:  [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2016, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-season-9-episode-17-february-25-2016-the-celebration-experimentation/747191/40 "2016-02-27T09:31:48Z")
Yes, I did think Sheldon’s lack of reaction to Adam West’s attendance was out of character. I wonder, was there someone the producers really wanted to get but wasn’t available? Maybe someone from ST:TOS would have been appropriate? George Takei was probably too busy with his play, Allegiance. Shatner, well, he’s pretty much uncomfortable with ST fandom. Walter Koenig? Anyway, missed opportunities.
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