I got interested in The Big Bang Theory when I was in Japan. I caught up on all the seasons. I enjoyed the gang of nerds and saw myself in the show. But the one person I could never connect with was Penny. I knew there had to be a foil for the geeky scientists but she never caught on with me. The past two seasons really just cemented my dislike of her character. She just never changes.
Who is She?
Penny is the hot girl neighbor played by Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting on The Big Bang Theory. She is an aspiring actress who gets small and crazy roles. She is Leonard’s (Johnny Galecki) on-and-off-again girlfriend. She is from Nebraska and used to work at The Cheesecake Factory before quitting. She is often in conflict with Sheldon (Jim Parsons) when she is not acting like a parent to him.
As always, this is not an attack on the actress. It’s the character I have issues with.
Why So Cringeworthy?
It took a long time but many of the characters on TBBT have experienced some development. I mean, Raj can talk to girls now! But Penny has stayed exactly the same. I suppose the writers wanted the epitome of the blonde stereotype. Her character is constantly making remarks on how she hasn’t had to pay for things because she is pretty or used other illicit means. Or it’s something about how many boyfriends she’s had. The gag is already old now. Why can’t they give Penny a new spiel? I get tired of Penny doing the same things over and over. Even Sheldon has branched out more than she has.
I feel bad for poor Leonard. I have never been sure exactly what he sees in her. I know she is the hot girl of his dreams but I don’t think I could deal with mindlessness. Their endless dance grows old as well. She wants the relationship to go her way and Leonard lets her roll all over him. I wish Penny would have some sort of character change. She doesn’t have to continue the girl-next-door routine. She could start being financially responsible or finish her college degree.
Well, I don’t know if I agree… she’s made progress/developed ass a character. She’s been talking about her fears of her career choice, over the whole proposal thing, how she can’t date stupid guys anymore, and over the course of the last season or two, she’s even shown that she is picking up on the whole geek culture thing.
This was most notable in last week’s episode on the “Star Wars Day” episode, where there were numerous, (too many if you ask me,) where they showed her knowing more than basic knowledge of Star Wars.
I think she’s made a pretty good transition from the beginning of the series when she didn’t know anything and made fun of them, to not knowing but not making fun of them, to knowing and making fun of them.
But hey, I’m biased because I’m in the target market for her character… :-)