Season 6 spoilers

[Tensor]

Maybe mrs Latham has put the word in for Leonard to receive tenure Sheldon would certainly not be happy.

The Leonard Hofstader chair of Applied Laser Physics? I'm not sure Penny would find the quid pro quo quite as humorous this time around though.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Tensor

[hamerman55]

That would be too funny if they offered Leonard tenure before Sheldon. It would make sense though, as Leonard has been willing to do things like meet with students and generally is a good academic citizen. I'm any impressions of Leonard by the senior faculty would be good ones. He's also from an academic family, and would know all about handling the politics of tenure. He may have been quietly running through the application process without telling Sheldon. A big part of tenure and promotion to higher academic ranks is being willing to endure the process cheerfully and pay homage to the powers. There is no way Sheldon would even consider this. In spite of his high opinion of himself and his work, many physicists have been working on string theory for decades, and there have only been incremental advances. Recall he also rejects out of hand quantum loop theory, which is apparently equally viable. My point is that as smart as he thinks he is, he has demonstrated no real breakthroughs separate from the collaboration with Leonard in the first season. I imagine after that, the polar expedition and the differential equation app, Leonard has learned that working with Sheldon is a bad idea. He handed a paper to Steven Hawking with a trivial math erro in it. Recently, we've found his work is inferior to Kripke's. He is getting enough grant money to fund Raj and Alex though, so his work is not entirely without merit. So much of the evidence in the show is that Sheldon is actually not very good at his job, while Leonard is. Leonard recently got a big grant to study lasers, he isn't a human resources problem, he's friendly and is willing to do teaching and outreach at least without complaint. That's the sort of thing that leads smoothly to tenure.

It would be a tremendously funny arc to have Leonard up for tenure, and Sheldon seething about it. They could run with this for the rest of the season. Sheldon could become so impossible to live with that Penny would offer her place. Or Sheldon could decide to apply as well, and we could be treated with his "kill Batman" smile as he tries to suck up to the senior faculty. That would be hilarious to see. And give Jim a chance to really chew the scenery.

[hamerman55]

The Leonard Hofstader chair of Applied Laser Physics? I'm not sure Penny would find the quid pro quo quite as humorous this time around though.

Excellent point. I forgot all about Mrs. Latham. She could have passed away (not that I wish her harm) and donated a chair in honor of Leonard's "achievements". Her heirs could go on about how much she thought of Dr. Hofstadter. Of course having her come back in the flesh for a return engagement would be terrifically funny now as Penny WOULD NOT be happy about him doing a little extra work for funding thIs time around.

[Zhalen565]

The Leonard Hofstader chair of Applied Laser Physics? I'm not sure Penny would find the quid pro quo quite as humorous this time around though.

You've now got me imagining the Penny reactions to this, ballistic would just about cover it, throw Sheldon in the mix and the entire episode would be classed as explosive at the very least.

[SodidIwin?]

Leonard wouldn't nor couldn't ever cheat on Penny. He couldn't even cheat on Pyria! If the writers did that it would destroy not only everything they built this season but also the Leonard character the majority of fans enjoy!

[Zhalen565]

Leonard wouldn't nor couldn't ever cheat on Penny. He couldn't even cheat on Pyria! If the writers did that it would destroy not only everything they built this season but also the Leonard character the majority of fans enjoy!

The thought I had was mrs Latham rewarding him for what he did in 415 TBF, not necessarily anything new. If you remember Penny had a good laugh at his expense with his "walk of shame" we all know she would look at things very differently now.

[rachelshamyfan]

Is anybody here going to the taping!?

[bigbangsheldon]

yes

[hamerman55]

The thought I had was mrs Latham rewarding him for what he did in 415 TBF, not necessarily anything new. If you remember Penny had a good laugh at his expense with his "walk of shame" we all know she would look at things very differently now.

I think this would be the best for the overall comedy. He was given much grief by all for hooking up with Mrs. Latham, and for it to turn into a tenured chair position for Leonard would be very funny. Sheldon would go nuts, and Penny could actually brag on him for having a significant other who's sexual prowess got him tenure. Sheldon would dis him for not "earning" the position. The funny thing is that Mrs. Latham actually did appreciate his research would be the main reason. I suspect Leonard is much better at his job than the others think. He just doesn't make a fuss.

[tmp]

I think this would be the best for the overall comedy. He was given much grief by all for hooking up with Mrs. Latham, and for it to turn into a tenured chair position for Leonard would be very funny. Sheldon would go nuts, and Penny could actually brag on him for having a significant other who's sexual prowess got him tenure. Sheldon would dis him for not "earning" the position. The funny thing is that Mrs. Latham actually did appreciate his research would be the main reason. I suspect Leonard is much better at his job than the others think. He just doesn't make a fuss.

 

That would be funny, but it was two years ago.  You think they would bring it up again after so long?

[hamerman55]

I would think it depends on how much of the earlier event they would like to include. They could just touch on it in that Mrs. Latham could have influenced the trustees to promote Leonard, and mention it in passing. It would be a nod to serious fans, but they would not have to base the plot on Mrs. Latham's involvement. We'd get it, but it wouldn't be integral to a plot where Leonard gets tenure, but Sheldon does not. You're right in that they don't have time to update everyone on the whole plot of the two year old episode, but a call-back would be cool. I could almost see the cold open. Leonard walks in and announces to the group that Mrs. Latham made a substantial donation to the experimental physics department, and Sheldon or Penny could ask, "Wasn't that the rich old lady you had sex with for money?". Penny could make a comment about having a boyfriend so good in the sack it was worth millions, then Leonard could smile sheepishly. Then Howard asks what is it for, and Leonard could say for an endowed chair. Then the plot could move on to the competition. Sheldon could bitch that it should have gone for theoretical physics, and then we'd be off to the races.

[goldenorb]

It just occurred to me... although it's the least likely scenario out of the possible ones, it could also be about Sheldon getting into trouble because of Alex. Hiring a grad assistant to pretty much only run your personal errands might be something the university is not very happy with, combined with the sexual harassement stuff from earlier this season. Although there have been several Sheldon-centric eps this season already and it does sound a bit too much like 6x12. If he didn't risk his tenure then, I doubt he would now.

 

From the title though it doesn't sound like it's about a character choosing to quit their job, it sounds more to me like either there's an attempt to get tenure or a risk of losing tenure which causes some sort of turbulence.  

 

Or, maybe it'll be about Kripke getting tenure.  As a perk to his new status, Alex is reassigned to him.  Hilarious outrage ensues.  Janine Davis clears out her schedule for a week to resolve the situation.

[tmp]

Or, maybe it'll be about Kripke getting tenure.  As a perk to his new status, Alex is reassigned to him.  Hilarious outrage ensues.  Janine Davis clears out her schedule for a week to resolve the situation.

 

They need to hire another member of HR just for Kripke.  lol

[Zhalen565]

I would think it depends on how much of the earlier event they would like to include. They could just touch on it in that Mrs. Latham could have influenced the trustees to promote Leonard, and mention it in passing. It would be a nod to serious fans, but they would not have to base the plot on Mrs. Latham's involvement. We'd get it, but it wouldn't be integral to a plot where Leonard gets tenure, but Sheldon does not. You're right in that they don't have time to update everyone on the whole plot of the two year old episode, but a call-back would be cool. I could almost see the cold open. Leonard walks in and announces to the group that Mrs. Latham made a substantial donation to the experimental physics department, and Sheldon or Penny could ask, "Wasn't that the rich old lady you had sex with for money?". Penny could make a comment about having a boyfriend so good in the sack it was worth millions, then Leonard could smile sheepishly. Then Howard asks what is it for, and Leonard could say for an endowed chair. Then the plot could move on to the competition. Sheldon could bitch that it should have gone for theoretical physics, and then we'd be off to the races.

Penny could hit Sheldon back with his own lines "and you thought he didn't learn anything from me"

[Chiara]

I would think it depends on how much of the earlier event they would like to include. They could just touch on it in that Mrs. Latham could have influenced the trustees to promote Leonard, and mention it in passing. It would be a nod to serious fans, but they would not have to base the plot on Mrs. Latham's involvement. We'd get it, but it wouldn't be integral to a plot where Leonard gets tenure, but Sheldon does not. You're right in that they don't have time to update everyone on the whole plot of the two year old episode, but a call-back would be cool. I could almost see the cold open. Leonard walks in and announces to the group that Mrs. Latham made a substantial donation to the experimental physics department, and Sheldon or Penny could ask, "Wasn't that the rich old lady you had sex with for money?". Penny could make a comment about having a boyfriend so good in the sack it was worth millions, then Leonard could smile sheepishly. Then Howard asks what is it for, and Leonard could say for an endowed chair. Then the plot could move on to the competition. Sheldon could bitch that it should have gone for theoretical physics, and then we'd be off to the races.

I like this idea very much indeed. A nice nod to the faithful fans but not too much of an obscure reference for the newer viewers to feel left out.

 

But I wonder : what would the "turbulence" be about ? In this scenario, once the money is given to the experimental physics department, there is not much Sheldon can do, effectively. He can express his displeasure about the whole thing, that is for sure, but aside from crankiness, in what way could he cause trouble ? 

It would not be like when he fights against Kripke because then, there's usually a golden ticket both can pretend to. Fighting/pranking each other is the way they determine who gets what. In the case you describe, Sheldon has nothing to gain from opposing Leonard. And he would not act spitefully towards a friend, especially if there is nothing for him in it. 

 

So maybe the "turbulence" does not come from Sheldon "Pretty Boy" Cooper. Perhaps it comes from Leakey himself. What if Leonard has second thoughts ? He's offered what all academics have wet dreams about and he... is not sure he wants it. It could be a throwback to what he realises in 6.18, that he never really chose to become a scientist but was influenced by his family. 

It could have nice potential for drama : Sheldon wants tenure but doesn't get it; Leonard is offered it but feels like it may be a golden cage. No need for them to fight, exactely, just a contrast and some inner turmoil for one Dr Leonard Hofstadter.

 

ETA Was in the process of editing when Koops's post appeared. So see below. Word.

Edited March 4, 2013 by Chiara

[koops]

I think turbulence doesn't necessarily mean there's going to be fighting between two people. There's been plenty of that this year already. I think the scenario with Leonard being offered tenure and questioning whether he wants it or not could be a realistic one (that is, assuming he doesn't have tenure already - both Sheldon and Leonard have been at CalTech forever). I think another Sheldon v Leonard ep so soon after the apartment one is unlikely. 

[eirwinrommel]

The thing is, they have never given any of the academic characters an exact job title, i.e. Professor of applied Physics ect. So without that knowledge we don't know if any of them are actually on the tenured track or not. If I had to guess I'd say Sheldon probably has tenure (or is protected by someone) because it sounds like Seibert has tried to get rid of him.

 

Seibert: The board of directors insists he has a beautiful mind. I think he’s just bananas. (4-14)

 

On the other hand I could see Sheldon going all Sheldon if Leonard gets tenure and he didn't.

Edited March 5, 2013 by eirwinrommel

[hamerman55]

It could also be a Howard episode as he's a pretty big deal having been an astronaut and putting a lot of major gear on the space station. One thing they get a little wrong on the show is that the "working" degree in engineering is the master's. The Ph.D. in engineering is strictly a teaching degree. They would all have a conniption if Howard got tenure without a doctorate, even if all the other's do have tenure.

I still think the callback to Mrs. Latham would be too funny.

[Pomita]

I assumed that both Sheldon and Leonard have tenured positions by now. They don't seem to be post-docs, and that would be unlikely after having been in CalTech from 10 years!

 

I don't exactly know how the system works in the US. Is there something in between a tenured track and a post-doc?

[tmp]

I assumed that both Sheldon and Leonard have tenured positions by now. They don't seem to be post-docs, and that would be unlikely after having been in CalTech from 10 years!

 

I don't exactly know how the system works in the US. Is there something in between a tenured track and a post-doc?

 

There are people who work in academia indefinitely without being on a tenure-track, but they're usually considered the worker bees who teach classes so the respected people can do high-profile research.  None of the characters on TBBT would fit into that category.  I've always assumed they had tenure also, but Sheldon got fired the first season for something that would not typically be fireable for someone with tenure.  Every place I've ever seen it usually takes 5 years to get tenure so Sheldon, Leonard, and Raj would have had it long ago.  I still think the plot is about Leonard, and the writers won't be bound by the way it would go in real life.

[koops]

That's why I was saying that time-wise it could very well be Amy. Assuming that she didn't skip educational steps (and from how she summarized it to Penny and Bernadette she didn't) she would have finished grad school in her mid-late 20's, if she's early 30's now it could very well be she was a post-doc until now. Sheldon and Leonard both got their PhDs younger than normal so I'd be surprised if they weren't tenured, especially Sheldon given that he got his at 16! But then again, it's not like the show always cares about these things.

 

Unless, like I said, it's about losing tenure. But the only one who could be messing up enough to lose tenure would be Sheldon, I can't see Leonard do something to be kicked out.

Edited March 5, 2013 by koops

[Pomita]

There are people who work in academia indefinitely without being on a tenure-track, but they're usually considered the worker bees who teach classes so the respected people can do high-profile research.  None of the characters on TBBT would fit into that category.  I've always assumed they had tenure also, but Sheldon got fired the first season for something that would not typically be fireable for someone with tenure.  Every place I've ever seen it usually takes 5 years to get tenure so Sheldon, Leonard, and Raj would have had it long ago.  I still think the plot is about Leonard, and the writers won't be bound by the way it would go in real life.

 

I see. It still seems most feasible, as you say, that Sheldon and Leonard already have tenure, while Amy may be in the process of getting one now. So I'm still excited to think that it may be an Amy/career plot. Though it could well be about Leonard, too, somehow tying in with his comments regarding his profession in Contractual Obligation.

 

Well, we'll know tomorrow.

[tmp]

That's why I was saying that time-wise it could very well be Amy. Assuming that she didn't skip educational steps (and from how she summarized it to Penny and Bernadette she didn't) she would have finished grad school in her mid-late 20's, if she's early 30's now it could very well be she was a post-doc until now. Sheldon and Leonard both got their PhDs younger than normal so I'd be surprised if they weren't tenured, especially Sheldon given that he got his at 16! But then again, it's not like the show always cares about these things.

 

Unless, like I said, it's about losing tenure. But the only one who could be messing up enough to lose tenure would be Sheldon, I can't see Leonard do something to be kicked out.

 

If any of them were to lose tenure, it would have been for falsifying data at the North Pole.  The inappropriate conversation with Alex might come close, or the foamy vengence in Kripke's lab.  Again, though, there's no obligation to realism.

[SRAM]

Sheldon and Leonard may not have been offered tenure till now because of the incident with the foam on the board in kripke's lab. So since they haven't been in trouble for a while it could be coming up again.

[Ibid]

Maybe it doesn't have anything to do with the college. Perhaps Sheldon lost tenure as Road Trip God, ya know, Travel Supervisor...