The Big Bang Theory – The Griffin Equivalency

CBS

(Season 2, Episode 4) “Baby wipe?” – Sheldon to Penny

I can’t help but wonder why Sheldon doesn’t use those anti-bacterial flu-fighting miracle germ zapping wipes on the market instead of regular baby wipes. But I don’t want to ask him. I already know all about the evil hot air hand dryer. I’m not sure I could bear going through that all over again. Tonight’s The Big Bang Theory episode had me laughing out loud again. If I get hiccups from laughing, I’m blaming it on Jim Parsons. Read on …

Before I get into the episode itself, I want to take a moment to give kudos to the casting folks on this show. I saw Jim Parsons on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson a few weeks back and, with the exception of rattling off scientific jargon at a mile a minute, he’s so Sheldon. For me, Sheldon is the big draw for the show, but they couldn’t have gotten together a more perfect cast — each one is so right in their own way. Each actor brings a bit something special to the roles and I can’t see them being played by anyone else. Yep, props to the casting department. Give ‘em raises!

Tonight’s action was all about Koothrappali, whom I will refer to as Raj from now on. I just thought I should have the last name at least once in here and my job with that is done. Raj had the honor of being named one of People magazine’s thirty visionary people under thirty who made an important scientific discovery (a new planet). Ah, nothing like a little bit of jealousy to throw the boys into discontent, right?

Sheldon was miffed because he didn’t think Raj deserved the honor. Howard was disgruntled because he made the mount for the telescope and didn’t get any credit for it. And dear Leonard was actually okay with all the publicity, but then became jealous when Raj ended up taking Penny to the reception. He had to do it drunk so he could talk to her, but that didn’t seem to be a huge obstacle for Raj.

The best bits:

• Raj: “I want to name it Planet Bollywood!”
• Leonard to Sheldon after he was nasty to Raj: “Are you proud of yourself?” Sheldon: “Generally, yes.” (I wish I had thought of that answer when my parents asked me that question whenever I misbehaved.)
• The Charlie Sheen cameo was very unexpected.
• Raj in his party suit.
• Sheldon’s whole story about his childhood pet Lucky — a cat run over by a delivery truck — and how he wanted his parents to replace the dead cat with one more suited to his pet needs. He wanted a griffin. Sure, it’s half eagle, half lion, and mythical. But they could have gotten him the eagle eggs and lion semen so he could create one on his own. After all, his sister always got whatever she wanted!
• Howard, Leonard, and Sheldon talking about getting a replacement friend in lieu of Raj. Artificial intelligence mixed with Disney, eh? Yeah, it did sound like Tony Stark could have fit the bill.

But, the absolutely most hilarious laugh out loud, snort milk out of your nose bit, was Sheldon’s forced maniacal smile. Every time he did it, I just couldn’t help but laugh. I’m glad I recorded tonight’s episode. If I have one of those down days, I can just re-watch it for the giggles. Not too many shows make me laugh like that now that I’ve grown old and cynical. Kudos to casting, I say!

What did you think of the show tonight? Was that smile a hoot or what?

Clacked by Jackie Schnoop
on Oct 13, 2008 @ 23:00 EST5EDT