There’s no denying that The Big Bang Theory is one of the most successful comedies of all time. It racked up a whopping 55 Primetime Emmy nominations and secured 10 wins during its 12-season run. The writing, the humor, and the relationships created along the way attracted its now massive fan base to keep coming back each week and tuning in for additional spin-offs like Young Sheldon and the upcoming Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
The sitcom added a level of complexity and heart to its characters that became truly endearing. It masterfully blended nerd culture and pop culture in a way that was completely ahead of its time. A huge piece of what made the writing and humor, including the running gags and jokes that continued from season to season. That said, here is a compilation of some of the best running jokes the series managed to pull off.
10. The ‘Soft Kitty’ Song
The ‘Soft Kitty’ song is the well-known lullaby Sheldon requires to be sung to him when he’s feeling unwell. The Big Bang Theory introduced its fans to the ‘Soft Kitty’ song in the first season, and it became nearly as big of a hit as the show itself. The caveat is that it had to be sung in the correct order to be considered finished, which was much to the chagrin of Sheldon’s loving friends, who had to use the song to console him.
The Song’s Lasting Effect
Penny has had countless memorable moments and quotes, but perhaps her biggest contribution to the show was her singing of the “Soft Kitty” song. Penny was the first of the group to use the tender lullaby when she was the only one around to care for Sheldon when he fell ill. From that moment on, it has been used by the rest of the group to treat their own illnesses, when they’re feeling down or have gotten hurt. It is the type of heartwarming material that is a catalyst for The Big Bang Theory and has been stuck in fans’ heads since it was first introduced.
9. The Broken Elevator
For some reason, the elevator in Sheldon and Leonard’s building is always broken. The Big Bang Theory ran this unique visual gag from Season 1 all the way to Season 12 of the show. It consistently kept each character that entered the building from getting all the way up with ease. This added a fun hurdle for the characters and writers to deal with for the show’s 12-year run.
Breaking the Mold
The broken elevator provides enough humor on its own just by simply existing and creating trouble for the characters. Whether it be moving furniture or a time machine, it created a number of hilarious moments. It wasn’t until the end of the twelfth season that it eventually got fixed, creating one of the more shocking moments of the show. It may not have the type of repeated catchphrase hype around it, but it displays the ability of the show to manage subtle jokes alongside its more outright hilarious setups and one-liners.
8. Howard and Raj’s Bromance
Howard and Raj star as two of the core members of this illustrious ensemble. Each character encounters different relationships over the course of the show. But these two best friends may have had the best romance in the series. The two of them bicker like an old married couple and often bring the best out of each other. For a large part of the series, Howard even brought out Raj’s voice, as Raj suffered from mutism for much of the show. While it has less of the ‘will they, won’t they’ aspect of other famous relationship arcs, it captures a friendship that is consistently funny, loving, and absurd.
Howard and Raj Have an Unforgettable Friendship
Their friendship is one that is difficult to match and has fans looking for the Howard to their Raj. It is easily one of the best TV bromances of all time. In Season 7’s “The Deception Verification,” the bros go so far as to cop a feel on one another after Howard becomes worried about the size of his boobs. The pair of friends go through a series of tests that can only be handled by the best of friends. It’s one of the many hilarious pieces of their story together and highlights why they make such a great duo.
7. The Roommate Agreement
Before they ever moved in together, Sheldon made Leonard sign a lengthy agreement outlining the rules of the apartment. The ironclad agreement is the source of much ire for Leonard and malevolent power for Sheldon. Being the genius that he is, Sheldon uses the contract to help back him up in situations both big and small. The group all has their quirks, but it really makes you wonder who would be the best roommate?
Is It a Contractual Friendship?
Being roommates with Dr. Sheldon Cooper can be trying, to say the least. The two of them have endless battles over the lengthy agreement, causing endless hilarity. The contract finds Sheldon getting his way in nearly every situation, which includes clauses for even the most absurd situation, such as a potential zombie apocalypse. Leonard discovered early on, that it was better not to fight with Sheldon when it came to things like bathroom time or the temperature of the apartment. There are countless examples of difficult roommates out there, but Sheldon’s neuroses are what makes him such an engaging and hilarious character.
6. Sheldon’s Knocking
Sheldon Cooper has so many iconic moments and lines within the show, but one of his most long-lasting jokes is the way that he knocks at his friend’s doors. The three knocks followed by the character’s name Sheldon is trying to reach will truly never get old. In almost every episode of the acclaimed series, Sheldon can be found knocking on Penny’s door to get her attention. And if his knocking is interrupted, it still has to be done in the correct order before he stops.
Knock, Knock Joke
Sheldon’s tireless behaviors are limitless, and this one is no different. Most characters learn to get used to Sheldon and his ways and this joke has become another signature for Jim Parsons’ well-regarded character. In Season 10’s “The Hot Tub Contamination,” the origins behind his compulsive knocking are finally revealed. It is due to him discovering his father cheating on his mother as a child and, since that day, he decided three knocks is the right number for a person to put their clothes on. Most of Sheldon’s quirks have a rational reason behind them, the reason just takes a little while to come out. It adds a layer of drama to the humor, but whenever those three knocks arrive at one of the characters’ doors, you can instantly expect laughter.
5. Penny’s Check Engine Light
For much of the first few seasons, the check engine light for Penny’s beat-up car remains on. Penny’s struggling acting career is reflected in the condition of her car, but her carefree attitude and lack of money keep her from giving it the attention it needs. To anyone who might drive with her, it is of much bigger concern. But for Penny, she’s happy to keep rolling on with the additional lighting.
Check For Laughs
For Penny’s new group of neurotic friends, she was routinely given flack for her lack of car maintenance. On the occasion that Penny drove Sheldon somewhere, he would always make note of this, among his other complaints about her driving. Before Penny decided to move on to a career in pharmaceuticals, her car was always giving her trouble. Not until the seventh season does Penny’s car finally break down in “The Friendship Turbulence.” It is a pivotal moment for her character and highlights one of the show’s longest-running gags.
4. Howard’s Mother
Howard’s mother is the screaming, shrill, overbearing mother of the series. But her character is never actually seen on screen. Sitcoms have a long history of faceless characters playing a pivotal role in the series. Big Bang provides its own spin on that character through Howard’s loud mother. Any time Howard walks through the door, he is met with a tidal wave of screams that have him yelling right back. The two of them have a tumultuous relationship, to say the least.
She Is the Angry Mom
The joke goes well into the late seasons, seeing its last iteration in Season 8 after Howard’s mother sadly passes away. But up until the joke’s departure, it became an instant source of laughter for everyone but Howard. His mother’s voice had a way of completely undoing his sanity while bringing stitches to the side of fans. An essential part of this running joke is when Howard realizes his girlfriend Bernadette’s voice sounds the exact same as his mother when she yells. It further complicates things when he finds Bernadette’s motherly yelling to be a turn-on. This realization adds to some of the hilarity of some of Bernadette’s most iconic lines. The relationship between Howard and his mother could often be contentious, but it was always consistently funny.
3. Bazinga!
Sheldon’s iconic catchphrase was first used in Season 2’s “The Monopolar Expedition” and blew up immediately afterward. The famous line was put onto shirts and merchandise for fans to purchase and became perhaps the show’s most lasting joke.
Your Favorite Catchphrase
Sheldon took a while to understand the nuances of sarcasm and humor in general, but as he got a handle on it, he added his own unique flair, thus creating “Bazinga!” It became a point of emphasis and jokes and was even substituted for laughter by the eccentric doctor. Often seen on the street in t-shirt form, fans have adapted the catchphrase to their everyday vocabulary, making it easily one of the best jokes of the show.
2. Sheldon’s Spot
The first rule of The Big Bang Theory is you don’t sit in Sheldon’s spot. There are so many great and underrated relationships in the show, but perhaps none are more linked than Sheldon and his spot on the couch. Sheldon makes immediately clear that in just the first episode of the show. It is one of the first running gags of the show and sets the tone for Sheldon’s character early on. His spot is his happy place and a location in which no other character can exist.
Don’t Sit in Sheldon’s Spot
The left side of that iconic couch has been an endless source of humor for the show. It might as well have a force field around it, so if any character dares to break those rules, they risk unleashing Sheldon’s wrath. From Sheldon’s perspective, his seat reflects “the singular location in space around which revolves my entire universe.” When he does finally let Howard of all people sit in his spot in “The Apology Insufficiency,” Sheldon is only able to last 94 seconds before he forces Howard out. For all of Sheldon’s obsessions, this may be the one he is unable to break. And without his claim to the couch throne, his character would hardly be the source of such great outbursts and hilarity.
1. Howard’s Lack of a PhD
Howard often draws jokes from the group due to his colorful clothing choices and small stature, but it is the fact that he “only” has a master’s degree that causes the most jokes to be created at his expense. Howard is one of the most accomplished characters among his friends. But in a group of doctors, being an engineer is the source of much laughter and teasing.
Howard Is Confident
Thankfully, Howard is confident enough in his own abilities to manage incredible feats, such as going into space and being a key part of the Mars Rover Mission. If only he had that elusive PhD, the group would have less to joke about. He never does go through with getting a PhD because the amount of arguments it has caused over the years is what makes this group so special. His “lack of education” is just another example of what makes the humor in this show so iconic.
