TV GUIDE: Ask Matt: The Middle, Big Bang Theory, Burn Notice, Fringe, and More
Dec 17, 2012
by Matt Roush
Send your questions and comments to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow on Twitter!
... Question: What possessed the producers of The Big Bang Theory to upgrade Kevin Sussman to a series regular? Aside from ensuring his availability, I see no logical reason to have him bound to appear in at least seven to 13 episodes this season. When Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch were upgraded to regular status several seasons ago, it made sense on a creative level, given the importance of the Sheldon/Amy and Howard/Bernadette relationships, allowing the ensemble to grow, and enabling the writers to explore new dynamics. But Stuart? Why? We are 11 episodes into the season and he has yet to have an effect on any of the ongoing storylines. In this week's entertaining Dungeons & Dragons storyline for the guys, it seemed entirely awkward and non-essential to have Stuart there in the apartment. Even if Kevin Sussman had not been made a regular and was not available to appear this season, would fans really miss him? I think not. — Stephen
Matt Roush: That seems an awfully harsh reaction to such an unassuming schlub. (In fact, it almost sounds like Sheldon wrote it in one of his why-aren't-they-paying-more-attention-to-me snits.) Sussman's promotion from recurring to "recurring regular" status, not uncommon for shows that seek to expand the universe beyond the core cast, is a sign that the producers enjoy writing for him, and it's not entirely true that Stuart provides no function. As the rest of the guys pair off — Howard now married, Leonard back with Penny, and even Sheldon in a relationship of sorts with Amy — Stuart gives odd-man-out Raj someone to bond with, however awkwardly. And while I find some of the homoerotic humor tiresome as jokes fly about their friendship, Stuart is also useful as a depiction of someone who's even more pathetic than our original circle of needy nerds. I wouldn't say I miss him when he's not around, but I also don't feel he's being overused or shoehorned in illogically — the owner of a comic-book store would factor rather largely in these guys' lives, no?
Question: I have to ask if you knew what happened to all the great Sheldon and Penny scenes from The Big Bang Theory we used to get from earlier seasons? Anything coming up for Shenny fans in the second half of the sixth season? I need some Shenny scenes so I can watch the show again. — Steve
Matt Roush: I had much the same thought when Sheldon recently tended to a sick Amy, bringing back very fond flashbacks of the great episode where Penny took care of a sick Sheldon. (Cue a verse of "Soft Kitty.") Or the classic when Sheldon had to take an injured Penny to the hospital. Or when he tried to teach her physics. Those were the days. There are still moments of inspired Penny-Sheldon interaction — sorry, I'm not going to call them "Shenny" under any circumstance — but I figure that we may be seeing fewer episodes built around them exclusively because the world around them has expanded with so many more delicious characters. I love the scenes where Penny plays off of Bernadette and Amy, for instance, their colliding versions of girl talk delivering some great character comedy. I don't do spoilers here, so can't say for sure if or when a major Sheldon-Penny episode is coming, but while I'd be happy to see one, the lack of one really isn't affecting my enjoyment of the show...
The Big Bang Theory airs Thursday at 8/7C on CBS.
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