The Big Bang Theoryis one of the most beloved modern sitcoms ever created. It tailors to a wide range of audiences, from comic book lovers to science fanatics to those who may never even have picked up a comic in their lives. It did very well in appealing to a large audience, which is why it stayed so successful during its 12 seasons on air. The show’s characters, storylines, and overall vibe kept it in the hearts of its fans, and it ultimately helped keep it there for so long after its culmination. It also didn’t end on a note that divided its entire fanbase, so that’s always a plus.
ThroughoutThe Big Bang Theory’s more than decade-long run,the show provided many memorable scenes, iconic cameos, and some of the most quotable dialogue in sitcom history, some of which fans still reference today. Predominantly memorable thanks to their wit, comeback one-liners, or hilariously perfect placement, quotes and catchphrases like the running gag of Sheldon’s triple knock and a comedically exaggerated version of Rock, Paper Scissors have left lasting impressions on fans of this iconic 2000s sitcom. They may have comedy at their heart, but they are more meaningful to fans than what many other shows have ever accomplished.
The Big Bang Theory
10"I met her at Comic-Con. The one place in the world where saying ‘I own a comic store’ is a pick-up line."
Stuart Bloom - Season 4, Episode 5 (2010)
Comic-Con is a place where many of those who love comics, movies, TV shows, anime, and any other form of pop culture can be themselves, connect with friends, and have a good time with like-minded people who love the same things they do. Anyone who’s ever experienced a Comic-Con will know how chaotically enjoyable they are, but those who love the experience and vibe wouldn’t have it any other way.
InThe Big Bang Theory, Stuart’s (Kevin Sussman) comic shop was a regular convening place for Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Howard (Simon Helberg), and Raj (Kunal Nayyar), and it was somewhere they could all be their geeky selves surrounded by their shared love of comic books.Stuart became more thanjust the local comic store owner as the seasons progressed, gaining more of a presence in the latter half of the show. But this early quote from him will remain one of his most notable, entirely given its relatability to many. It’s more common to find people who like comic stories nowadays, butComic-Con will always be a perfect place to connect with similarly like-minded individuals.
9"Holy crap on a cracker."
Penny Hofstadter - Season 2, Episode 6 (2009)
This line is a great Penny (Kaley Cuoco) one-liner that many have probably forgotten about as more time has passed. It was introduced in the show’s second season and is one of the best-extended versions of an otherwise commonly utilized saying.
Penny was quickly thrown into Sheldon’s unique waysof life, and it got to the point when she joined the others, and not much surprised her anymore. But there’s one moment in Season 2 that completely caught her off guard, and thus, that state of shock created this little gem of a line. “Holy crap on a cracker” came out of nowhere, and its use took viewers by enjoyable surprise.Many quotes fromThe Big Bang Theoryare kept alive in the real world by fans, and this is one of the best yet most underappreciated of them all.
8"Who’s calling at this ungodly hour?"
Debbie Wolowitz - Season 1, Episode 11 (2008)
Howard’s mom is arguably one of the most likable off-screen characters ever depicted in a TV show. She never once physically appeared duringThe Big Bang Theory’s run aside from a brief glimpse, and, sadly, never would following the death ofCarol Ann Susiin 2014. However, the sheer personality and character she brought through just her voice alone left a forever-lasting impact on the show’s fans.
Whenever Debbie Wolowitz’s raspy tones were heard in the distance, it instilled instant comic reliefinto whichever scene she was a part of. One of her most notable moments was when someone dared to call at an “ungodly hour,” and she made her disapproval known in a highly enjoyable way. She screamed at the top of her lungsin Howard’s direction while histired, frustrated, and irritated facial expressions and subsequent return screams added the perfect cherry on top.
7"Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock."
Sheldon Cooper - Season 2, Episode 8 (2009)
There are many circumstances wherethe bloopers for a scene will turn outfunnier than what makes it to the final cut, and the outtakes for this iconic scene are a perfect example of this, albeit still comedic on its own. In 2009, the creation of a new take on the classic rock, paper, scissors game arose, and it stemmed from a random episode ofThe Big Bang Theory.
This line has made its way into the lives of many fans to use in their own everyday dialogue. It may be a little awkward if directed at someone who’s not seen the show, butif discussed with aTBBTfan, you’ll likely have just found a like-minded friend. To this day, though, it’s still difficult to understand the terms and conditions of Sheldon’s extended rules on the game. But rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock is one of the best additions to the series and an even funnier blooper, seeing Jim Parsons struggle to describe it almost as much as we had trouble understanding it.
6"Oh my gosh, you are about to jibber-jabber about jibber-jabber."
Penny Hofstadter - Season 4, Episode 23 (2011)
Everyone knows at least one person who will aimlessly talk about useless information that no one else is interested in. Just nod, smile, and feign engagement in the conversation until it’s finally over. But while there are times to grin and bear,there are others when the need comes to silence the individual before they have a chance to go full force.
InThe Big Bang Theory, Sheldon’s friends would often leave him to ramble, as quite frequently, there was no point in trying to cease his fire on his strong opinions. But in Season 4’s penultimate episode, “The Engagement Reaction,” Penny seems to have missed his jibber-jabber to the point where she initiates it, only to somewhat regret that decision when Sheldon proceeds to try and explain the origins of the term, leading to the origins of a favorite TBBT Penny quote. Do you know anyone who jibber-jabbers about jibber-jabber?
5"Knock, knock, knock."
Sheldon Cooper - Various (2007-2019)
The triple knock. If multiple people in a friend group have seenThe Big Bang Theoryand know ofSheldon’s notorious triple knock, best believe it’s been used in general interactions. It’s like an unwritten rule betweenTBBTfans. One must make someone aware of their presence by knocking three times, saying the person’s name on the other side of the door, and repeating that three times just for good measure. Okay, maybe it isn’t, but it has to be done at least once.
This classicBig Bangbit first appeared early on in the show’s run, butit was so enjoyable and easy to play with that it stuck around for the next twelve years. It was used primarily by Sheldon and directed at Penny most of the time, but that didn’t stop the others poking fun at Sheldon and using it to wind him up, with a noteworthy occurrence coming when Penny and Bernadette decided to confuse him and answer on each other’s behalves. Sheldon’s right, though. It is very satisfying and fun to do.
Sheldon Cooper - Various
This iconic line first crept up in the earlier seasons ofThe Big Bang Theorywhenever anyone who knew Sheldon would question his sanity in a not-so-subtle manner. It became a running quote throughout the show, one that was frequently called back to whenever Sheldon did something questionable and felt the need to defend his reasoning, and more often than not, it came in the form of this memorable one-liner.
“My mother had me tested” is one of Sheldon’s most notable comebacks to anyone calling him crazy, and it always brought out the giggles from fans alongside the eye-rolls from his friends. What makes this even funnier is that Mary (Laurie Metcalf), Sheldon’s mother, states in a later season that while she may have had him tested, she always wished she had followed up with a specialist in Houston. Although, somehow, it seems unlikely that it would have much of a difference on Sheldon’s iconic defense.
3"Please, pass the butter!"
Amy Farrah Fowler - Season 7, Episode 19 (2014)
Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) was a latecomer to this beloved sitcom. She could sometimes get overlooked next to her friends, but quickly grew to be a likable addition to the series among fans. She had many memorable scenes alongside the rest of the gang, but also put in her fair share of notable comedic gold in her own right. One of those moments came in the nineteenth episode of Season 7 with the release of “The Indecision Amalgamation.”
Amy took over from Leonard and put up with the brunt of Sheldon’s shenanigans after the two becamea couple onTBBT. Most of the time, she kept her patience with him front and center, which is why this small but memorable scene from midway through the show caught many people off guard in a truly comical way. The scene in question shows Sheldon confiding in Amy over dinner about his struggle to choose between a PlayStation and an Xbox as she desperately tries to get him to pass her the butter.Amy enters an exaggerated sympathetic state with almost cartoonish body language and dialoguethat culminates with her demanding the butter and Sheldon abruptly complying. It will always be one of Amy’s best moments.
2"You’re in my spot."
Sheldon is very particular about a lot of things in his life. He likes things done a certain way and will make it known, either somewhat subtly or outright, if something isn’t going the precise way he likes it. One of the earliest occasions in which Sheldon’s intricate likings first appeared was in the “Pilot” episode, where the audience and Penny quickly learn where not to sit in his and Leonard’s apartment.
The line may have differentiated in phrasing now and then, but it always revolved around the same thing. If someone other than Sheldon sat in his spot, he wasn’t going to stand idly by and let that tomfoolery play out.The gag began in episode one and continued for the next twelve seasons, with numerous hilarious jokes being made and everyone joining in on the fun, which always made for some enjoyable to watch seating discrepancies.
1"Bazinga."
Ah, “Bazinga.” It’s technically only a one-word catchphrase, but as it’s arguably the show’s most notable catchphrase, we’ll include it as one of the show’s best quotes, as well. Everyone has a thing they like to say when pranking someone or seeing someone being pranked. “Got ‘em’” is a favorite for many, but Sheldon Cooper, being the unique individual he is, of course, has to have his own distinctive go-to when the situation calls for it.
“Bazinga” crops up many timesover the course ofTBBT’s 12 seasons, and there’s never a bad time to have it make an appearance. When Sheldon’s situations call for it, it’s usually at the bane of Leonard’s sanity as he attempts to wrangle his friend out of his mischievous mood, like a ball pit, for example, which is arguably one of the most memorable required “Bazingas” of the series.You’ll be hard-pressed to find aBig Bangfan who hasn’t referenced this iconic catchphrasein their everyday life at least once.
