'Big Bang Theory' exclusive: Christine Baranski returns!

But you are speaking as if it is conclusive that Sheldon is ‘asexual’. Sorry, but that is your opinion because it has not been. And there IS another way to interpret the scenes. The Sheldon/Penny Shippers think he is more of a young boy who hasn’t grown in that way yet. He’s ‘opted out’ right NOW because he doesn’t understand anything about it. And whatever Chuck Lorre said, I don’t think he can deny what potential comedy gold awaits in Penny and Sheldon.

True, I am. But I am not only basing it on my opinion alone, also that of a number of critic reviews that have not had ONE kind thing to say about the *current* Leonard/Penny relationship, while some have even gone as far as to say that they miss the Sheldon/Penny interaction INSTEAD. In addition, I’m also looking at the sheer number of fans on various message boards etc. in support of Sheldon/Penny versus Leonard/Penny. No, perhaps not the ENTIRE fanbase of TBBT wants romance but a rather large chunk seem to deem the Sheldon/Penny scenes as one of the main reasons they tune in. And within THOSE numbers, my guess is at least 75-80% DO want romance to evolve between them. But take that as you will.

And again, I don’t give a hoot what the creators or actors (who have no say in the way it’s written anyway) are reciting about the relationship right now. The ratings and reviews will tell the creators/writers everything they need to know (especially after this Monday’s episode methinks.) It’s up to them whether they choose to run with it.

And actually, speaking of Monday’s episode, re; the creators “stance” on the subject: If they are so against the Penny/Sheldon possibility at the moment, as you say, do you not find it at all strange that a Sheldon/Penny centric episode (with sexual undertones to boot!) as this Monday’s will have, is airing during November Sweeps at the precise time the show is trying to compete with other networks FOR ratings? Because I certainly would if your theory were correct.

Anyway, I’m tired of debating this topic over and over. Let us both enjoy the show as we enjoy it and we’ll see what happens.

LoL I love Penny and Sheldon’s interactions, it’s one of my favorite parts of the show. And I dislike Leonard and Penny as a couple (though I think they have potential, I’m just not feeling it at the moment). But that doesn’t mean I want Penny and Sheldon to get together. People can like platonic relationships! Just because you want them together doesn’t mean you should project your preference onto every critic, unless they’ve said for fact that they want to see a romantic relationship. I have yet to read any (aside from a few small fan bloggers) say this, actually.

And Liz, maybe you should reread your comment on interpretations and not stating opinions like fact. You see next week as being full of sexual undertones, but that does not mean that everyone does. So you should refrain from speaking about it as if it’s a fact that this is what is happening and is the showrunner’s intention with the episode. ESPECIALLY when it hasn’t even aired and we haven’t seen how it is going to play out

First of all, I will say I apologize if I misread your comment re: critics. However, I still believe that your sampling of fans is likely skewed in favor of your interests (as mine would be as well), so I will repeat my comment earlier that there is no concrete proof that the fanbase sways heavily for or against this particular ship. Unless we were to conduct a blind sample of nielsen viewers (which is an inherently flawed system in and of itself, though more accurate than random internet polling), we’re likely to never have remotely accurate data on the subject.

Second, I am seriously saying that when I watch that scene in the preview I do not see sexual undertones. Because to me, sexual undertones requires lust/desire from one or both of the characters, which I do not see in either (rather, when Penny realized where his hand was, her face read to me as one of disgust and annoyance, and his face read to me of uncomfortable awkwardness). Whether other TV shows succumb to over sexualized tropes or not has nothing to do with the way this show is run, nor does it have anything to do with what I see in this show. Because though I find the show suffers from a lot of sitcom cliches, the characters have never fully felt to me like cliches themselves. You do not have to believe that. You are free to see all the sexual innuendo that you want. I’ve said repeatedly you are free to interpret whatever you want, but please do not tell me that I must see this promo way you do. That you can be so hypocritical to say I should not claim definitively that Sheldon is asexual (though I never actually made such a claim; defending asexuality as a legitimate orientation and backing up my opinion with likeminded quotes from the showrunners is not the same as suggesting you or anyone else MUST fall in line) while telling me I MUST see a promo the way you do (which again, I do not) is frustrating at best and reason enough to end this, as you are clearly incapable of having a rational discussion that allows for multiple points of view other than your own.

Lynn, I’m done discussing this here. To me, it is you who are choosing to ignore the obvious implications because you simply do not like what you’re seeing. Yes, as a matter of fact, I DO believe everyone has the right to interpret a scene the way they so choose (and enjoy the show as they want to!), but even I (being the large PS shipper that I am) can admit that there ARE instances in the past where Sheldon comes off as asexual. Why, then, can you not at least ADMIT that in this particular instance they *might* just be using the other side of the coin as a promotional tactic? If anyone is a hypocrite…

And if we are not supposed to pick up any sexual undertones, WHY even use this scene in the first place for the 20 second promo? There at least 6 different scenes I know of in tonight’s episode that could have been utilized to promote but they chose to run with the one that has Sheldon touching Penny’s breast. (…?) And interesting still is the wording they are using; “Damsel in Distress”; “To Save her”; the Superman theme song playing in the background… and *usually* there are romantic tones connected to the Superhero and Damsel in Distress, if you weren’t already aware. So, clearly Penny and Sheldon are supposed to be paralleled to these roles. How you are not putting two and two together is beyond me. (In fact, I would like to be enlightened as to how *else* you can interpret this wording?)

Anyway, I am out of this conversation, whatever you “choose” to believe is fine. We will both see what happens in future episodes and beating the dead horse on a thread like this is not going to change that fact one iota.