The Sitcom Studies Podcast

We have Marlessa’s dear friend Mandy Jimenez with us once again to discuss our final episode of The Big Bang Theory, the Season 3 finale! We discuss where things stand with Leonard and Penny as she seems to be moving on with a new guy (we love you, Zack!) We also talk about what we learn about these scientists as we see them conducting experiments off the clock. And of course, welcome to the friend group, Amy Farrah Fowler…
Historical Highlights:
https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/peoria-il/national-center-for-agricultural-utilization-research/docs/penicillin-opening-the-era-of-antibiotics/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_of_penicillin

Alright, so we weren’t thrilled with the first episode this week. That’s putting it mildly. But that’s okay, because we finally get the backstory of how Leonard and Sheldon became roommates. And it was worth the wait…
Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod
https://www.pcmag.com/news/a-visual-history-of-apple-ipods

We’re discussing a throughline story this week - can Penny and Leonard stay friends after she is unable to return his “I love you”? More importantly, can Sheldon find a way to be friends with both of them? And of course, we have the return of Wil Wheaton.
Historical Highlights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_affair#Trial_and_second_judgment,_1633
Note: While Katie mentions Pope Urban VIII by name, in this episode Sheldon refers to Pope Paul V, with whom Galileo first came into conflict re: some of his scientific writings. 

Sheldon finally receives a long sought-after award for his research - except, he also stumbles across a prop ring from the production of Return of the King, so the award is not the most surprising thing that happens to him this week.
Historical Highlights: https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/c-s-lewis-and-j-r-r-tolkien/
 

Sheldon is the one who can’t seem to catch a break this week! Between being told firmly by Leonard that Penny will be the one tagging along on a trip to Switzerland and being unable to attend Stan Lee’s comic book signing, he’s dealing with a lot…except, do we really feel bad for him? And as always, leave it to Marlessa to point out some fascinating parallels between these storylines and some Everybody Loves Raymond and Frasier classics.
Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider#
 

We have two character studies of Sheldon this week: how will he react when the apartment is broken into and when he meets a physics problem that he (thinks!) might be too much for him? We had no fun at all discussing these two episodes…BAZINGA!
Historical Highlights: https://www.dpma.de/english/our_office/publications/milestones/greatinventors/einstein/index.html

Marlessa’s dear friend and fellow comic enthusiast, Quinn Levy,  joins us to discuss this week’s episodes as we reach the halfway point of the season! Penny feels accepted by Leonard’s mother, albeit after a night of drinking together - but can she receive the same acceptance from Leonard when she’s open about her belief in psychics? Thank you so much for being part of this fun conversation, Quinn!
History Highlights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Abbott_Abbott

We are so glad to be joined this week by dear, dear friend and real life aerospace engineer, Bernadette Haig! She’s here to talk about an absolute classic from Season 3 that sees Sheldon try to teach Penny physics. But there’s so much else to discuss, from Howard’s warped outlook on dating to the importance of taking a sincere interest in others’ work to what it means to be a good teacher. Not to mention Sheldon’s revenge on Kripke - thank goodness he found a middle ground, we guess? We are so grateful to our Bernadette (not Howard’s!) for sharing her insights as a woman in STEM and for offering another honest perspective on some of the stereotypes these characters face. 
Historical Highlights:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newtons_(cookie)
 

Some serious (and surprisingly deep) relationship discussions this week! Marlessa and Katie are both on Leonard’s side as we spend time on the question of whether it can ever be healthy to maintain close relationships with exes, and we see Shenny at their most hilarious when Sheldon has to take Penny to the hospital. And it’s almost like we’re forgetting something else important…of course! We get to see Leonard, Howard and Raj go through the stages of being high… 
History Highlights:
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/leonids/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonids

We again have Marlessa’s partner Jes joining us, and this time we have an episode that is absolutely pivotal for the series: Bernadette (and Wil Wheaton!) have entered the chat! We discuss Bernadette’s hilarious first conversation with Howard; Sheldon’s vendetta against Wil; and Penny’s role as a matchmaker. Plus, Leonard’s efforts to fit in with Penny’s football-loving friends lead to a deeper discussion about the importance of taking an interest in your significant other’s passions. Who knows - we might even have some couple’s trivia planned…
History Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonie_van_Leeuwenhoek