The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory mistake picture

The Bad Fish Paradigm - S2-E1

Continuity mistake: In the laundry room when Penny is talking to Sheldon, Sheldon takes some time arranging a blue shirt on his plastic laundry folder. Then it suddenly turns into a pair of socks, which he folds and then picks up the blue shirt again. There was not enough time for him to switch out the shirt for the socks. (00:06:30)

The Platonic Permutation - S9-E9

Continuity mistake: In episode 16 of season 1, Penny is talking about making a cake for Leonard's birthday and states she knows his birthday because she was checking a horoscope for him. But in this episode she does not know when his birthday is, which leads to Leonard revealing he was secretly reading Penny's diary. (00:40:00)

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: It's certainly possible to forget something you knew eight years ago.

LorgSkyegon

This is perhaps true for two people who rarely have contact, but I would list this as a character mistake. Penny and Leonard are in a serious relationship and are married at this point.

Bishop73

This is also a couple who BOTH forgot it was their anniversary.

LorgSkyegon

I forgot my wife's birthday on a number of occasions. It's one of the reasons she is now my ex-wife.

There's a difference between forgetting and not knowing.

Bishop73

I've been married for seven years and my husband still doesn't know my birthday. It's the 24th but sometimes he thinks it's the 24th or the 4th or the 20th etc. And especially since Leonard doesn't celebrate his birthday, it's not something that's going to remain in the forefront of Penny's mind.

immortal eskimo

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: No he doesn't, he tips it in sideways.

In which case the handles are still not easily accessible at the top.

Ssiscool

The Shiny Trinket Maneuver - S5-E12

Continuity mistake: Howard, Leonard and Raj play Jenga in a strange sort of way. Most notable is the playing order, 1. Howard, 2. Raj, 3. Raj, 4. Leonard, 5. Howard. When it's Leonard's turn he doesn't move any bricks, only pokes the tower and it's then Howard's turn. When its Raj's first turn he puts a brick on the top of the tower. When it's his turn again, the brick is gone and he puts a new one in its place.

The Excelsior Acquisition - S3-E16

Plot hole: In Series 1, Episode 7, "The Dumpling Paradox, " Sheldon makes an oblique reference to his financial status: "Frankly, if I could afford the rent, I'd ask you [Leonard] to leave, " meaning he cannot pay the rent on his two bedroom apartment by himself - not that he doesn't want to, he can't. However, in "The Execlsior Acquisition, " we find that he does not even cash his pay cheques. He doesn't even deposit them into a bank account - he leaves them in a drawer in his desk. In Series 2 Episode 14 "The Financial Permeability", he lends Penny a large amount of money from a huge bankroll he just happens to have lying about - again, without cashing his pay cheques! He is obviously independently wealthy. Either he doesn't have enough money to afford the rent or he has enough to work without being paid while practically giving large amounts of cash away. Can't be both.

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: Not being able to afford doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't have the money, especially a man like Sheldon. He works with a budget and he sticks to it. In his budget he has a certain amount set aside for rent, anything more than that and he can't afford it alone.

Nonsense. If he was sticking to a "rigid budget" he wouldn't have even thought of lending a hopeless credit risk like Penny a single cent. Instead he throws a huge bankroll at her without even discussing a repayment plan.

Rubbish, I stick to a strict budget but still have the money to lend to close friends. Like Penny is to him.

He might have different budgets for different things. People could get a higher margin because they could be of more use to the scientific mind of Sheldon.

More mistakes in The Big Bang Theory
More quotes from The Big Bang Theory
More trivia for The Big Bang Theory

The Euclid Alternative - S2-E5

Question: Though it comes up in other episodes as well, this one is focused on Sheldon needing a ride everywhere he goes because he can't drive, not to mention his not being welcome on the bus. Of course, this story element would be nonexistent if there was a simple answer, but it does beg the question: Does Pasadena not have taxicabs?

MFWills

Chosen answer: It does. The variable cleanliness of the cab and the habit of taxi drivers to engage customers in small talk would be too much for Sheldon to handle, and not an option for him.

Captain Defenestrator

Answer: Sheldon DID finally use a taxi when going to the airport to see and propose to Amy in New Jersey.

More questions & answers from The Big Bang Theory

Join the mailing list

Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.