The Big Bang Theory is a CBS sitcom about a group of geeky adults that has run for 12 staggeringly long years. In that time period, it has attracted critical ire, many Emmys, and earned its stars million-dollar salaries. But now this show is dying and I, a pop culture critic with a heart made of onyx who has never even seen a single episode, have decided to watch the program weekly to pay my respects—and also roast it to death one last time.
Season 12, Episode 18: The Laureate Accumulation
Summary: If it seems like it’s been a century since I’ve done a recap of this show, it’s because The Big Bang Theory airs as consistently as a dirtbag Tinder match incapable of setting up a second date. I’m not saying The Big Bang Theory ghosted on me, though it has been almost a month since there’s been a new episode. That’s because of 1) March Madness taking over CBS and 2) me not realizing this show sort of airs whenever it feels like it. But anyway, we’re back! Just give me two seconds to remember who the hell is on this show.
Amy and Sheldon are still dealing with those scientists from a few episodes ago who piggy-backed on their paper and proved their thesis by accident. Those two scientists Dr. Pemberton and Dr. Campbell, still angling for the Nobel Prize, are cruising by on their charm and getting famous for it. Caltech decides to throw some big Nobel Laureate meet-up (including real winners doing cameos on the show) in support for Amy and Sheldon, but as Amy’s reading off the names of who’s coming Sheldon reveals he’s been, more a less, a dick to all of them. To help, Leonard suggests he can help Sheldon when he’s going too far. “What, like with a code word?” he asks. “Sure, how’s ‘shut up’?” Leonard says. But it doesn’t really matter because it’s Amy who eventually blows up at the event, yelling at everyone that the two scientists are impostors.
Elsewhere, Bernadette overhears Howard telling a cute story to their kids about being in space and decides, suddenly, to turn it into a book called The Frightened Little Astronaut. Seems like fodder for a good tweet at best but what do I know! Howard hates it because it makes him look like a dweeb so he makes some changes:
Needless to say, Bernadette’s version is the one that’s published.
Worst joke: Sheldon and Amy ask Penny for cookie dough to make cookies to give to the Nobel laureates. When she offers oatmeal raisin, Sheldon says “ Oatmeal raisin! I know at least two things wrong with that cookie.” The laugh track goes wild.
Nerdiest moment: The shame of coming on air after a month of silence because a bunch of basketball playing jocks took your spot is pretty nerdy.
What I learned this week: That I never want to see Stuart’s drawings. After he suggests to Bernadette he can do the drawings for her book he says it’ll be a nice change of pace from what he “usually draws.” “What do you usually draw?” she asks. “Goodnight!” he says and leaves abruptly.
Did I laugh?: Nope.
How dead is this show?: I accidentally buried The Big Bang Theory in this sprawling pet cemetery that just happens to bring back dead creatures to life and, ugh, the show is not dead, technically!