So I've started watching The Big Bang Theory...

[Maebe]

And am I supposed to actually like Penny?

I've seen a couple of episodes of the most recent series, and have just caught the repeats of the first few episodes on C4. So I've seen enough to get the plot and, obviously, to appreciate the wonder that is Sheldon.

But Penny? Gah. She's awful. Please tell me this is part of the point?

[BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM]

not sure if the idea is to 'like' her as such.

She is the long-suffering butt of all their snobbery surrounding how intellectual they are and she isn't.

I have never thought whether I liked her or not, I suppose she is just 'their' for added comic value.

Sheldon on the other hand, I luffs him. I have BBT calendar on my fridge and a BAZINGA! mug - my friends and family know me so well

[Sparklingbrook]

Oh no, I really warmed to Penny.

Watch Awwww.

[twolittlemonkeys]

Initially I didn't warm to her, but after a few episodes I did learn to love her. I warmed to her far quicker than I did to Howard. I love BBT.

[sweetheart]

I liked Penny for the first few series but I found I had really gone off her the first few new episode of this series because of the way she is treating Leonard. Although having said that she did recently finally tell him she loved him which did change things somewhat.

[HermioneE]

The first few episodes and the current series are definitely Penny at her worst. Stick with it, there are others where she is completely endearing

[phoenixrose314]

Penny wasn't likeable in the very beginning because of how often she would take advantage of the guys, and in the recent series both DH and I agree that she's become very unlike able due to her treatment of Leonard. But series 2-4 she was pretty ok I think, definitely became more likeable as her inner geek developed ;)

[Sparklingbrook]

[Shellington]

I recently found the outtakes on youtube - good times

[sweetheart]

Ohhhhh can't spend 38 mins at work watching that but will deffo be saving for later

[Shellington]

There are series-by-series ones too
here
Go on, you know you want to :)

[meditrina]

Serious nerds might like this website which has the complete transcripts.

[Maebe]

I think it might be the actress to. I just don't like her! Whereas the other girls I've seen in later series I do like.

I reeeeally want to get in to this show but she's really annoying me...

[Sparklingbrook]

Bernadette gets on my nerves. My favourite is Amy Farrah Fowler.

[Trills]

Start from the beginning if you can - it's much more interesting if you see the evolution of the characters.

I luffs Amy Farrah Fowler. The more recent series where there are conversations between just the girls are a lot of fun.

[Thumbwitch]

Maebe - she was in the later seriess (how the fuck do you pluralise series??) of Charmed as well - did she annoy you there too or have you never seen it?

I quite like Penny. She puts up with an awful lot of shit from Sheldon and the others but still hangs in there. I don't like when she mistreats Leonard but hey.

Amy Farrah Fowler cracks me up. Especially when I think of her as Blossom. Bernadette's voice grates.

[ThreeBeeOneGee]

Penny is a brilliant foil (is that the right word?) for Sheldon. Bernadette's voice grates though.

[greenhill]

It does help if you watch Penny's character arc from the first series onwards. She started off taking advantage of the others; came to have an appreciation of their good points, even though she and her friends are very different; has shown her dominance in the relationship she had with Leonard; surprised herself by being jealous of Priya; but is shown as being a flawed character and although Leonard loves her, it is not necessarily a healthy relationship as they aren't equals in it. She often has the upper hand and is not kind.

Penny is funny though and is much more representative of "middle America" with all its mainstream aspirations: a pretty, street-wise, waitress looking for her big break as an actress in comparison with the other characters who are very clever, but have not necessarily honed their social skills.

This current series they are working through whether Penny is as emotionally intelligent as she thinks she is. She is not being shown in her best light.

Can you tell I love BBT?

[PuffPants]

Sparkling, I love that episode with the autographed napkin, so sweet

Penny is the audience really isn't she? She says what we're thinking. I like her relationship with Amy FF - who would clearly ditch Sheldon for one night if girl-love with Penny!

[Maebe]

Blossom!!! That's where I know her from!

[TotallyBS]

'Amy' also played the young Bette Middler character in the movie 'Beaches'

[guineapiglet]

The whole family are utterly addicted to TBBT - it makes me laugh out loud and has been a massive tonic over the last few dark months, it is so well written and the characters are brilliant, each so different - and all interdependent, you couldn't have one without the others, it just would'nt work.

I have really grown to love Penny - she is, as everyone on here has written, the ultimate foil to Sheldon, and they all need her too, for sanity and clarity - for an honest opinion when things are going to far, to bring them literally back down to earth. I have to say, I really love Raj, his timing is brilliant and he really is gorgeous. Never get fed up with it, always something new.

[BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM]

'their' wtf?

that'll teach me to MN during worktime!

PuffPants excellent - yes, she is the audience, otherwise half the stuff they talk about would fly right over my head

I love the relationship between Sheldon and Penny - OP you need to watch from the beginning so you can see it evolve from him loathing her to putting up with her (but really I think, secretly, he would be a bit lost without her)

[fussychica]

Another top quality comedy, everyone is brilliant including Penny.

[montage]

Change your wifi password to "pennystopstealingourwifi" OP, that'll make you feel better. No spaces.