# Who's the biggest jerk on Big Bang Theory? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 28, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651 "2013-02-28T18:53:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**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:** [March 22, 2013, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/81 "2013-03-22T11:06:54Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > another remarkable thing is Sheldon. of all the things he did, it seems people remember the one where he revealed spoilers. I assumed that’s because this thread started right after that episode aired. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/82 "2013-03-23T12:49:49Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > Not only is it surprising that Raj is getting voted ‘Biggest jerk’ inspite of there being people like Sheldon and Howard on the ballot, it’s also interesting how flimsy and/or non-existent people’s reasons are for picking him. Well, he didn’t come out very well with that “Later Losers” comment on the Valentines Day episode. But that’s the jerkiest I’ve seen him. Then again, I’ve missed a lot of episodes. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/83 "2013-03-23T14:47:10Z")
I think it’s pretty clear that Raj is the biggest jerk. Sheldon is obnoxious, but he’s also socially stunted. He is like a child in many ways (as shown by how he reacts to his mother). He’s only very rarely deliberately mean. Leonard is generally pretty nice, although he doesn’t really understand how to relate to women. Howard is (or was) a pig with respect to women, but he’s also rarely deliberately mean. Leonard’s Mom is just a female Sheldon - she doesn’t understand why social graces are important. Penny stomped on Leonard’s heart, but she usually pretty nice, even to Sheldon. Pria is a bit of a bitch, but she’s not a jerk. Amy is another female Sheldon, and she will do anything to be accepted by Penny, but she’s rarely inconsiderate. Which leave Raj. He is the only character who consistently does mean and inconsiderate things to the other characters - stealing Howard’s pickup line he was going to use on Summer Glau, hiding Sheldon’s mouthwash, treating Howard like a servant when he was translating for him, mocking Leonard when he wanted support, etc, etc… ---
**Author:** ![ruh-roh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ruh-roh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruh-roh)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/84 "2013-03-24T05:55:48Z")
I vote for the Sheldon character. Ever since Jim Parsons won the Golden Globe award for playing the character, Sheldon has become increasingly narcissistic, OCD, and childish. Typical network thinking… If a little bit is good, then more is better, and too much is never enough. This is especially obvious if you watch some of the very early reruns. There are times when I have considered stopping watching the show because Sheldon has become so annoying(yep, especially the “spoilers” epsisode), although this season the others seem to be pushing back at him a bit more. The best thing about Sheldon is his mother, probably my favourite character on the show. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/85 "2013-03-27T03:05:33Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Pria is a bit of a bitch, but she’s not a jerk. 😕 Aren’t those words pretty much synonymous in this context? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/86 "2013-03-27T03:15:37Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:85, topic:651651”] 😕 Aren’t those words pretty much synonymous in this context? [/QUOTE] No, I don’t think so. “Bitchy” = entitled or demanding “Jerk” = mean-spirited (at least in my book). ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/87 "2013-03-27T03:32:37Z")
I just saw a repeat episode (on TBS) where Sheldon won an award and had to give a speech and he was petrified to speak in front of the crowd. [In this scene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zf5A3NII_c), when Penny, Leonard and Raj were volunteering to be Sheldon “C-Men”, Howard was pretty mean to Sheldon. Was Howard channeling Paul Lynde (aka Uncle Arthur in _Bewitched_) in his delivery? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/88 "2013-03-27T03:42:42Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > No, I don’t think so. > “Bitchy” = entitled or demanding > “Jerk” = mean-spirited (at least in my book). In common use, I don’t think “being a bitch” is the same as “being bitchy.” Being a bitch implies being mean to other people. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/89 "2013-03-27T09:53:43Z")
Sheldon’s character is the biggest jerk but its the most fun to watch also. Raj is jerk No. 2 on the show, a pretty big jerk but less than Sheldon if you ask me. Jerk meaning deviant from what we perceive as normal. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2013, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/90 "2013-03-27T12:10:17Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Among the main cast it’s definatly Raj. If we include all the recurring characters it’s Dr Beverly Hofstadter. Except “jerk” needs to be spelled with a T. And an N. And a U. And I think you can all guess what the next letter will be. I see (ehem) that you are [a fan of Shakespeare](http://absoluteshakespeare.com/plays/twelfth_night/a2s5.htm). > [@](#): > > Mal. [Taking up the letter.] By my life, this > is my lady’s hand! these be her very C’s, her U’s, > and her T’s; and thus makes she her great P’s. > It is, in contempt of question, her hand. > > Sir And. Her C’s, her U’s, and her T’s: why > that— Meanwhile, another vote for early evil Wil Wheaton. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/91 "2013-03-27T20:23:21Z")
The only reoccuring cast member who hasn’t been mentioned is Mary Cooper, Sheldon’s mother. She scores extra points for being a fundamentalist relgious jerk in my book. She thinks God and Jesus justify everything she does. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/92 "2013-03-27T21:19:56Z")
It really depends on which season. Sometimes she’s a better person than others, but I think Penny is consistently the least forgivable of the bunch. Besides, she gets along with Leonard’s mother. Like two peas in a pod when they hit the sauce. Hate 'em both. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/93 "2013-04-01T15:48:03Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > This gets my vote, too, fueled by his massive superiority complex. His ignorance of social conventions isn’t excusable, since they’re all easily observable. He’s just far too self-absorbed to think they apply to him in the first place. Easily the most consistently inconsiderate of the episodes I’ve seen. This is so easy to observe now that the show is in syndication on 2 different networks in my area. Seeing so much evidence of Sheldon being a huge jerk at such close intervals has made it difficult for me to enjoy the show at all. ---
**Author:** ![Simmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@Simmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simmo)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/94 "2013-10-19T22:58:20Z")
I think Leonard really has his moments. Something in particular that is annoying me on an episode I’m currently watching (6.08 - The 43 Peculiarity) is his (IMO) over reaction to Penny’s friend from school coming over to her flat. I know he has huge insecurity issues but he’s acted like that before (in 3.07) and it comes across as if he doesn’t want Penny to have any male friends, aside from Raj, Sheldon, and Howard. I think that’s really selfish of him, and kind of controlling. Plus it’s an insult to Penny, it sort of implies that he has no trust in her whatsoever. Also he said England sucks, so he goes straight to the top of my shit list. 😉 ---
**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:** [October 20, 2013, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/95 "2013-10-20T05:50:29Z")
> [@mage-girl](#): > > Sheldon should not get a pass because he appears to be on the autism/Aspergers spectrum. In my opinion he is an insufferable jerk who rarely shows empathy for others. > > Even people who are impaired can learn what is and is not acceptable behavior, to a point. > > Besides, as far as I was aware, it has never been actually CONFIRMED that Sheldon has autism or Aspergers. The running joke has been that he’s not crazy, his mother had him tested, though in one episode his mother admits she should have followed-up with the doctor they referred her to. > > I don’t know if you would count autism/Aspergers as crazy in any event. I read an interview where the actor who plays Sheldon said he plays the character as if he has Aspergers. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/96 "2013-10-20T07:02:42Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I read an interview where the actor who plays Sheldon said he plays the character as if he has Aspergers. The actor asked the writers if Sheldon was supposed to have Asperger’s. They said he did not. Often people who have a very high IQ exhibit some of the features of Asperger’s without having it. My son is one of those, so it’s something I’ve run into a lot. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/97 "2013-10-20T08:26:48Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > The only reoccuring cast member who hasn’t been mentioned is Mary Cooper, Sheldon’s mother. She scores extra points for being a fundamentalist relgious jerk in my book. She thinks God and Jesus justify everything she does. This would matter if she actually ever did anything mean. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/98 "2013-10-20T15:32:56Z")
I can’t go with her either - Mary’s actually human, more or less grounded, has some basic understanding of human relations and even has a past that outshines Penny. Beverly Hofstadter is the choice here. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/99 "2013-10-20T16:00:18Z")
Raj is like a game the writers are playing with us. They take him to the edge of despicibility\*, and then zoom left into pathetic territory so fast that we haven’t time to start hating him before we are pitying him again. But seriously, he’s said some pretty horrific stuff. \*OK, possibly not a word, but it SHOULD be! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651/100 "2013-10-20T16:32:57Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Beverly Hofstadter is the choice here. is she the only character Sheldon has gotten along with without flaws? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-biggest-jerk-on-big-bang-theory/651651.md?page=6)