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'The Big Bang Theory' Season 11 Episode 13 Recap: As Usual, Penny Has the Most Common Sense


We’re now halfway through the season 11 of The Big Bang Theory and one thing has become clear: Thank God for Penny. Seriously. Even in episodes in which nothing really happens—like tonight’s, for example—she’s the best part. It’s why I still stand by my theory earlier this season that The Big Bang Theory will end with the reveal that Penny is a world-renowned psychologist and the past 200-plus episodes were all a dream.

If you watched tonight’s episode, it all makes sense, right? Sheldon found Penny to be a surprising source of scientific inspiration during a lull in his career, to the shock of pretty much everyone but Penny. (And FYI, she came to the rescue of the men once again. Just saying.) No offense to Young Sheldon, but I’d love to see a spin-off of Young Penny next.

In fact, I had plenty of thoughts during tonight’s episode, which is why I decided it was time to make a list. Here, five things that struck me during “The Solo Oscillation.”

1. Even though Raj and Howard are friends again, I’m thrilled the writers decided Raj should still wear his hair naturally curly. If you remember, Raj revealed that he straightened his hair all these years because Howard did, and he wanted to fit in when he came to the United States. By not going back to the hair straightener, Raj continues to establish his self-worth and own who he is.

2. I care more about young Sheldon than I do about adult Sheldon. Season 11 Sheldon is more of an annoying child than Iain Armitage’s young Sheldon will ever be. In tonight’s episode, adult Sheldon admits that he berated Leonard to conceal the fact that he’s not working on anything at the moment. And as anyone who has watched every episode of this season knows, it’s like the 100th time Sheldon has insulted, crossed, or acted immaturely toward someone he loves. Enough. (Unless you’re Amy, who doesn’t seem to mind.)

3. Are we ever going to revisit a potential romance between Sheldon’s mom and Leonard’s dad? Every time I see Laurie Metcalf on screen as Mary, I wonder if we’ll ever revisit that potential romance between Mary and Alfred during Penny and Leonard’s wedding. After all, it’s not like Judd Hirsch isn’t still in the CBS family…he stars on the network’s Superior Donuts. So where’s the cameo?

4. This show makes me hungrier than any food commercial on TV. Case in point: I’ve been battling a sore throat and don’t have much of an appetite, but the minute Penny and Sheldon started eating pizza together tonight, I’m ready to order Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and every local chain within a five mile radius. Same with Chinese food every time the group breaks out the chopsticks and plastic plates.

5. Amy needs to have a long, hard look at her relationship. Nothing new here, but the Amy from previous seasons would totally not stand for Sheldon’s antics now that they’re engaged. When she asks Leonard if marriage feels different and he replies not really, she acts relieved since “Sheldon and I are in a really great place right now, and I don’t want anything to mess that up.” I’m sorry, but “a really great place?” Leonard reminds her that the reason she’s not with Sheldon right now is because he kicked her out of the apartment to be alone. As I was saying…



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Kanye West Sent Kim Kardashian an Email Asking Her to Stop Wearing Big Sunglasses


Anyone who picked up a tabloid in the aughts knows that oversize sunglasses were once the great staple accessory in celebrity fashion—for reality stars, especially. (The more prominent and bedazzled the designer logo, the better.) But of late, the First Family of E!, spearheaded by Kim Kardashian, has abandoned these once-iconic, face-obscuring frames in favor of even more nostalgic eyewear: teeny-tiny, 90s inspired sunglasses. And apparently, this eyewear switch-up can be traced back to one Kanye West.

Per People, Kardashian received an e-mail from West, re: her sunglasses, which she recalled on a recent episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. (Apparently, these sartorial memos are a regular occurrence, but that’s something to be fleshed out in a later season.) In this particular message, he had one very specific request for his wife: The oversize sunnies Kim was once known for need. To. Go.

“[Kanye] sent me a whole email like, ‘You cannot wear big glasses anymore,” Kim explained. “He sent me like, millions of ’90s photos with tiny little glasses.” Per The Cut‘s estimations, this episode was likely filmed in early May.

PHOTO: Pap Nation / Splash News

Kim Kardashian wearing her Kanye West-approved sunglasses.

Of course, we’d already noticed this eyewear trend long before the episode aired—beyond Kim’s wardrobe to her entire family, and then the fashion world at large. (Bella Hadid is rarely seen without some tiny glasses perched on, and cool teen/Kardashian fan Millie Bobby Brown has worn a similarly small pair with her best outfits.) Kanye’s style influence goes even further when it comes to Kim: according to People, she was also wearing an outfit entirely picked out by the musician and designer—which, yes, included those little glasses—to explain this new norm on the show.

West’s influence on Kardashian’s style has been well-documented. He’s styled outfits from his label, Yeezy, for Kim for years; in the past few months, we’ve mainly seen her photographed in clothing exclusively from his line. And back at the start of their relationship, we all watched as Kanye cleaned out Kim’s closet on national television, and made her cry in the process. Maybe don’t throw out that collection of oversized sunnies just yet, Kim—you never know when they’ll be back.

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Here's the Very Likely End Date for 'The Big Bang Theory'


All things must come to an end, and love it or loathe it, hit show The Big Bang Theory is one of those things. After more than 10 seasons of dumb blond jokes (poor Penny), tone-deaf cracks at Raj’s accent, and, more recently, the revival of that terrible trope of men being jealous about their wives’ work success and colleagues of the opposite sex, we now know when the sitcom will probably tie off its storylines and ride off into the Netflix archives.

The show, of course, has only been renewed for one more season following its current eleventh reincarnation, so the end of season 12 is a pretty natural point for Big Bang Theory to wrap up. On Saturday at the Television Critics Association’s winter tour, Johnny Galecki, who plays Leonard, gave a hint that appears to confirm the above.

“The only manner in which the cast has discussed wrapping [the show] has been that we’re all going to be very sad when that day comes,” Galecki said. “But I think at this point everyone’s very comfortable with 12 seasons being a good time to go home and see our families.”

The show, according to TV Line is TV’s “top-rated, most watched comedy,” so it might be a little bit of a blow to CBS. Luckily, its cast is pretty much set for life: The lead actors are now reportedly taking home $1 million per episode. Now that’s some Friends money right there.

Related Stories:
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–Penny and Leonard Have a Major Discussion About Their Future on Tonight’s ‘Big Bang Theory’
–Two ‘Big Bang Theory’ Characters Broke Up Their Friendship Tonight for a Very Good Reason



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'The Big Bang Theory' Season 11 Episode 12 Recap: Amy Chooses Her Maid of Honor


If you’re hanging on to every detail that Sheldon and Amy make in advance of their wedding, then tonight’s episode of The Big Bang Theory was the most monumental since their engagement. Although it often feels like Shamy takes one step forward and two steps back, it seems—for now—that their choices for best man/maid of honor are set in stone. The winners? Penny and Leonard Hofstadter. The only problem? Amy made the wrong choice.

I get that this is a show—and Amy and Sheldon’s decision was interesting enough material for 22 minutes—but the future Mrs. Fowler-Cooper has two best friends in her life. So why did the episode have to become about choosing one over the other? Bernadette, who even campaigned for the honor, was left in the dust, presumably to play the role of bridesmaid. But easy choice—and the only choice, really—should have been to just have two maid of honors.

I’ve never planned a wedding, but “The Matrimonial Matric” particularly hit home for me. When my best friend got married, she—like Amy—had two best friends in her life. I was probably the closer friend—especially in her adult years—but she ended up choosing the other woman as maid of honor, basically because they had been friends since kindergarten. It didn’t matter that she and I had shared so much of our lives together—including living together—or that my parents treated her like another daughter. Instead, I was asked to be bridesmaid. It sucked. By declaring one of us a little more important than the other—even if my best friend didn’t see it that way—was a harsh reality that affected me more than I wanted to admit. And to top it off, the maid of honor used every opportunity to make it clear to me that she had a higher position. So you can see why I declared back then to never have a maid of honor in my own wedding one day.

PHOTO: Sonja Flemming/CBS

While I don’t usually subscribe to the “everyone gets a trophy!” sentiment, choosing only one maid of honor if there’s two or three equally deserving people is an outdated practice that rarely results in a good outcome. In this era of be kind, love one another, and support other women, it forces you to think about what those sentiments really mean. The Big Bang Theory had a great opportunity to bring all three women together on Amy’s big day. Instead, they turned it into a ridiculous competition. Bernadette should consider herself lucky that she doesn’t have to deal with the Fowler/Cooper antics.

There was one winning moment, though, and it came courtesy of Mayim Bialik’s hilarious reaction to Penny telling Amy that she’s her best friend, too. That bit of perfection almost made up for Amy’s choice. Almost.



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'The Big Bang Theory' Season 11 Episode 11 Recap: Penny and Leonard Contemplate Their Future


The Big Bang Theory has never shied away from uncomfortable and necessary topics—take last week’s Raj and Howard fight or Bernadette’s pregnancy concerns, for example—but tonight the writers finally tackled the most annoying holiday tradition ever: the year-in-review letter.

You know what I’m talking about: the two-sided note from the friend/old co-worker/cousin you haven’t talked to in years. The one that brags about their kids’ achievements, a summer vacation to Fiji, a huge promotion, or surprise engagement—sometimes all of the above! Then there’s always that sentence at the end that goes something like this: “Hope your year has been as wonderful as ours! Thinking of you always!” And, of course, it’s accompanied by a staged photograph with everyone dressed in the same color scheme or matching pajamas. [Insert eye roll here.]

On the mid-season finale of The Big Bang Theory—titled “The Celebration Reverberation”—Leonard is the unwilling recipient this time, thanks to a Christmas letter from his brother who just built a hospital in Rwanda. That’s wonderful, of course, but it brings me to the part no one thinks about when they send those letters: You start feeling down about everything that hasn’t happened for you. Leonard is no different and starts obsessing over achievements he can put on his own list, err, dry-erase board.

PHOTO: Michael Yarish/Warner Bros.

So, Leonard asks Penny if she can think of a single cool thing they did this year. Penny mentions that they both have great jobs, but Leonard reminds her that the Air Force took his project away and she’s not crazy about selling pharmaceuticals. “I’ll just write down, ‘still employed!'” Leonard deadpans. The Hofstadters also celebrated their second anniversary, but they both forgot about it. “Maybe write down, ‘still married,'” Penny suggests. Leonard asks what else, but Penny says that’s probably enough before going through old photos to jog their memory.

By the next morning, Leonard still can’t stop thinking of his year-in-review list. The only new entries on the board, though, are “built Ikea desk” and “kept fern alive.” I don’t know about you, but I’d totally consider construction and saving a plant worthwhile achievements. Still, Leonard’s not impressed. Even though Penny says the whole thing is silly and their lives are great, he feels like everyone’s moving forward and they’re stuck. “We’ve been married two years,” he says. “Should we think about what’s next? Like buying a house or having a baby?”

While you can’t fault Leonard for thinking about what’s next for him and Penny, the fact that society pressures us to categorize big life moments as achievements anyway is perhaps part of the problem. Having kids is wonderful, but that shouldn’t take anything away from the person who decides it’s not for them. Penny notes that she wants to do “all those things someday, but there’s a bunch of stuff I want to do first.” Leonard asks what that is, and she responds, “Stay thin and have money.” Penny’s comment was funny, but it spoke to a larger truth that oftentimes there’s joy in the status quo. In fact, we should celebrate that more often.

Another thing to celebrate: Instead of using the moment to embark Penny and Leonard on a life change they’re not ready for yet, the writers kept the moment small, with Penny suggesting they go on a big trip outside the confines of Pasadena. It was a strong baby step for a couple that hasn’t always been on the same page. Which brings me to another important moment: Achievements aside, it showed that Penny and Leonard have gotten really good at communicating with one another. Last season, Penny and Leonard were often at odds with each other. This season, though, they’re stronger than ever. So kudos to the writers for showing the real ups and downs of a long-term relationship—honestly, Leonard should a year-end letter about that.



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'The Big Bang Theory' Season 11 Episode 10 Recap: Raj and Howard Break Up Their Friendship


Tonight’s episode of The Big Bang Theory almost resulted in Sheldon and Amy’s wedding—but for diehard Shamy shippers, City Hall vows were thankfully not in the cards. Long-time fans of the couple have been hoping for a big wedding, and it seems that’s exactly what they’ll get.

To recap, Sheldon and Amy were fighting so much that they thought a no-frills wedding at the clerk’s office would solve everything. Sheldon, however, came to his senses and recognized that he needs a brain transplant. OK, not really, but he did finally act like a decent adult when he realized a successful relationship involves really listening to a partner’s wants and dreams. In this case, that’s a proper wedding to Amy with a real first dance and plenty of Little House on the Prairie references. As for when—well, that’s anyone’s guess, but at least things are finally moving in a more positive direction.

But the true heart of tonight’s episode—titled “The Confidence Erosion”—was Raj. This moment in the spotlight has been a long time coming: For years, the character has been the brunt of cheap jokes, ranging from his accent to his metrosexual tendencies. By now, those jokes have become outdated and stale. Raj knows this, but he’s never been one to make too much of anything. That all changed tonight, though, when Raj’s dad encouraged his son to take a long hard look at how Howard—Raj’s BFF—has treated him.

Raj tried to defend his friend—”Howard doesn’t mean anything by it. I think it’s cultural. His people come from a very sarcastic village called Brooklyn.”—but Raj’s father wasn’t hearing it. “Don’t make excuses,” he said. “What kind of friend acts that way? A bad friend!”

Dr. Koothrappali’s words stuck with Raj, who later went over to Penny and Leonard’s apartment to get their opinion. While Leonard agreed that Howard does make fun of Raj a lot, Penny dismissed it as good fun. “That’s just want friends do,” she said. “They bust on each other. It doesn’t mean anything.” That’s rather ironic coming from Penny, who has been the brunt of lame jokes from the guys for the better part of 200 episodes. Of course, she hasn’t been the nicest person either—especially to her husband—who called her out on her behavior.

But let’s get back to Raj, who later crushed it in this exchange with Howard:

Howard: Wanna grab some lunch?
Raj: No, I don’t think so.
Howard: Lemme guess, you’re not eating because the mean girls circled your chubby bits in marker.
Raj: No, that, that right there! That’s the reason. You’re always making fun of me.
Howard: Those are just jokes. It’s my way of saying we’re friends. And it wouldn’t hurt you to drop a few!
Raj: See, no wonder I don’t have any confidence.
Howard: Come on, you can’t blame that on me!
Raj: Why not? 15 years of constant ridicule! I think our relationship has become toxic.
Howard: What are you saying?
Raj: I think you and I need to spend some time away from each other.
Howard: Look, I can see you’re upset, but I’m gonna need some ground rules. While we’re apart, can I see other needy Indian men?
Raj: GET OUT!

If that didn’t make Howard look like enough of an ass, then the fact that he later told Leonard and Sheldon that “Raj is trying to blame me for his pathetic life,” surely did.

PHOTO: Monty Brinton/CBS

And then, in a moment we never thought we’d see on the show, Raj showed up to Penny and Leonard’s with his natural hair. He revealed that when he first moved to the United States, he wanted to fit in: Because Howard’s hair was straight and he was the coolest person he knew, he took his lead.

The moment represents a breakthrough for Raj, who truly seems ready to embrace his authentic self. He doesn’t need Howard to be his therapist and leave him smiley face stickers on his lunch tray, but he certainly doesn’t need him to bring him down either. So, after Raj bombed an interview earlier in the episode to conduct presentations at the Planetarium, he mustered up the courage to go back to the hiring committee and make a stronger case for himself. His newfound confidence (and a little help from external circumstances) helps him get hired, but it’s a bittersweet achievement given that he can’t go and tell his best friend. Leonard urges him to do so anyway, but Raj remains steadfast in his decision. “No, I don’t need his negative energy in my life right now,” he explained. “Standing up to him was hard, but it made me realize I can do anything.”

It was a profound moment for myriad reasons, namely that by the time the credits rolled, Raj and Howard hadn’t reconciled. They may very well next week, but it was nice to see the weight of Raj’s feelings act as a connective tissue through each scene. He was undoubtedly sad to cut Howard out of his life, but empowered by his ability to do so. If and when the two repair their friendship, it will only be because Howard has understood the hurt caused by his actions, and Raj finally understands his worth.



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