Character Leonard Hofstadter

[Anomaly]

How about Sam Neill as Leonard's father.

 

While my vote is still for John Larroquette... Sam Neill would work too.

 

idrive65 mentioned John de Lancie, but I think he'd be better as Sheldon's Dad. 

[hamerman55]

The height issue could go either way. Is Leonard's family generally short? He's often portrayed as the odd one out in his family, so maybe he's the only one that's short. In that case, John Larroquette would be really funny, towering over Leonard.

[tmp]

While my vote is still for John Larroquette... Sam Neill would work too.

 

idrive65 mentioned John de Lancie, but I think he'd be better as Sheldon's Dad. 

 

They said Sheldon's dad had to be buried in an extra large coffin due to Sheldon's mother's fried chicken, so he would need to be played by a large man.  John Goodman would be perfect IMO.  Naturally if we ever met Sheldon's dad it would have to be in flashback.

[Chiara]

In re the height thing, I believe Leonard once stated his brother was 8 inches taller than him and linked the height difference (half in jest) to Beverly's nurturing : his brother felt loved as a child, he grew tall; Leonard did not, he stayed short. 

It could be true of all the Hofstadters : healthy ego = tall; self-esteem problems = short. That would leave us with two "teams" so to speak : Beverly (herself quite tall), Michael (6'2") and the unnamed sister in the tall group; Leonard and his father (who had to borrow his son's hugging machine) in the below average team. 

 

Considering Mr. Lorre's love for casting actors he used to work with, I suppose Alan Rosenberg could play Dr Hofstadter Sr. Though I have no idea if he and Mr Lorre still get along...

 

Leonard's family would be a great addition to the show. I would love to see them all show up at once for some reason. Above all, I would particularly enjoy seeing Penny defend her boyfriend against the "tall ones". She sort of did that with Beverly : she managed to relax the dragon enough she hugged her son. No small feat. However, she did not go all "junior rodeo" on Bev's bottom probably because she is Leonard's mother and there are limits to what one can do, especially considering that Penny was much less protective of Leonard back then than she is now. But with siblings... All bets are off. 

I don't know why but I am certain Leonard's brother and sister are even more screwed up than him, in a way. They may look like complete successes on the outside yet be utter messes on the inside (they were raised by Beverly after all). Penny is a gossip : she loves finding out other people's secrets. And she is cunning. She could have fun with them while making Leonard feel better in the process. Win-win. 

Edited March 31, 2013 by Chiara

[Zhalen565]

I have always been struck by how odd Leonard and Sheldon's relationship has been. Sheldon is clearly Leonard's friend, and Leonard is often cited as being Sheldon's best friend, yet it isn't a buddy comedy. Sheldon has little or no respect for anyone's intelligence but his own, and often fills the ambiguous role as trickster at times. Sometimes he's doing his best to help Leonard, as when he asked Penny not to hurt his friend (one of the most excellent moments in the whole show, in my opinion). Other times he will throw him under the bus without a thought, as in "The Spoiler Alert". He is also jealous of the fact that the group is centered on Leonard. I think Leonard believes that Sheldon is his friend, and when it looks like he's screwing him over, it is because Sheldon isn't aware that he's doing it. The only real problem in their friendship is the Roommate Agreement. The latest version was signed under duress, as well. I'm sure if Penny started sleeping over Sheldon would insist on adding the Penny-specific addenda to the Agreement, and that will lose him a roommate.

Leonard has never been seen to resign the roommate agreement, in TFC They are discussing Leonard's day when Penny comes in to say the reason the power went out is someone pulled the main breaker, which Leonard then quizzes Sheldon about. We assume it has been done but as usual it's something that we have never been shown.

Edited March 31, 2013 by Zhalen565

[hamerman55]

In re the height thing, I believe Leonard once stated his brother was 8 inches taller than him and linked the height difference (half in jest) to Beverly's nurturing : his brother felt loved as a child, he grew tall; Leonard did not, he stayed short. 

It could be true of all the Hofstadters : healthy ego = tall; self-esteem problems = short. That would leave us with two "teams" so to speak : Beverly (herself quite tall), Michael (6'2") and the unnamed sister in the tall group; Leonard and his father (who had to borrow his son's hugging machine) in the below average team. 

 

Considering Mr. Lorre's love for casting actors he used to work with, I suppose Alan Rosenberg could play Dr Hofstadter Sr. Though I have no idea if he and Mr Lorre still get along...

 

Leonard's family would be a great addition to the show. I would love to see them all show up at once for some reason. Above all, I would particularly enjoy seeing Penny defend her boyfriend against the "tall ones". She sort of did that with Beverly : she managed to relax the dragon enough she hugged her son. No small feat. However, she did not go all "junior rodeo" on Bev's bottom probably because she is Leonard's mother and there are limits to what one can do, especially considering that Penny was much less protective of Leonard back then than she is now. But with siblings... All bets are off. 

I don't know why but I am certain Leonard's brother and sister are even more screwed up than him, in a way. They may look like complete successes on the outside yet be utter messes on the inside (they were raised by Beverly after all). Penny is a gossip : she loves finding out other people's secrets. And she is cunning. She could have fun with them while making Leonard feel better in the process. Win-win. 

One way they could do this is with a multi-episode arc, where Leonard needed to go back home for some reason. Penny would of course accompany him (meet the family AND shop in New York!). The rest of the crew would still be in Pasadena dealing with Sheldon without Leonard's presence. Hilarity would ensue on both coasts. Penny could charm everyone (she's already won over Beverly) and hooverup all the gossip. She could leak this out out over the rest of the show, surprising even Leonard with everything she picked up.

[Anomaly]

The height issue could go either way. Is Leonard's family generally short? He's often portrayed as the odd one out in his family, so maybe he's the only one that's short. In that case, John Larroquette would be really funny, towering over Leonard.

 

In the episode where he introduced Sheldon for an award (where Sheldon got drunk and took off his pants), Leonard stated in his "monologue" that his Brother is 8-inches taller than him.

[scifi_boy2002]

We haven't met Leonard's father on the show, and I'm wondering who would/should play him.  My husband suggested that Jerry Stiller would look the part, but we agree John Laroquette would be amazing in that role.  Kelsey Grammer would be a natural fit.  What do you guys think?

Kelsey Grammer.  I can see Leonard's mother marrying him and of course he looks like an educated man.

[Anomaly]

Kelsey Grammer.  I can see Leonard's mother marrying him and of course he looks like an educated man.

 

Like has been said, I can't see him using a hugging machine. Then again, I could never see De Niro doing comedy, but that's what makes him great at it.

[wannamaker]

 

For me, the Leonard character IS the show. He is the most believable and the one I see ...

 

For me especially in this episode Lash

 

 

From the TBBT in The Holographic Excitation in Leonard's laboratory, he shows off some holograms to Penny and then begins to explain the holographic principle to her, using poetic language. (This scene is the source of the episode's title.)

 

" Leonard suggested in that episode that what we all experience every day in three dimensions  may really just be information on a surface located at the farthest reaches of our cosmos. So it's possible that our lives are really just acting out a painting on the largest canvas of the universe."

[ArmyGirl]

I so want the writers to give Leonard a decent storyline.  I want more that just him in a relationship or him babysitting Sheldon.  It's been so long since he has been showcased in an interesting plot.

 

I do like that the writers are letting him be more assertive and hope they continue going in that direction.

[ArmyGirl]

We haven't met Leonard's father on the show, and I'm wondering who would/should play him.  My husband suggested that Jerry Stiller would look the part, but we agree John Laroquette would be amazing in that role.  Kelsey Grammer would be a natural fit.  What do you guys think?

 

John Laroquette would be awesome in the role of Leonard's father.  I don't know about Kelsey Grammer tho.

[ArmyGirl]

Wish I knew where the writers are going with Leonard and his job opportunity.  Will it help him get tenure?  Will it lead to him getting recognization for his job?  Or is it a throw away plot to get him away from Penny so she will have to spend all her time with Sheldon --- aka babysitting?

[gaqo]

Leonard is a Stud, wearing a nerd mask. I'm sure he's got issues with therapy, as he's obviously got issues with his mother. They keep him that way for the sake of comedy, they need him as part of the group dynamic. But I wish he could go wild, take up the electric guitar, buy a motorcycle, and dump his neurosis. Then he'd have a girlfriend like Alice (was that the name of the hot woman who came in the comic store?). He deserves it after all he's put up with!

[Nogravitasatall]

Wish I knew where the writers are going with Leonard and his job opportunity. Will it help him get tenure? Will it lead to him getting recognization for his job? Or is it a throw away plot to get him away from Penny so she will have to spend all her time with Sheldon --- aka babysitting?

ArmyGirl, is it me or are you concerned about Shenny? There is nothing but familial affection shown between them.

Leonard is fine now, I think except I do want him to dump the hoodies. And get on his bike, cos Penny bought him lessons, long ago.

Edited May 4, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[ArmyGirl]

Hi Nogravitasatall,

 

I am not worry about a romantic relationsip between P/S, I am worry about Penny being there holding Sheldon hand through his so called growth.  I have to ask why can't Penny do more in the way of showing the viewers her true feels about Leonard? How about letting Penny be less of a cheerleader for for Sheldon and Shamy and more for Lenny.  I just want the same effort that Penny put into everyone else be direction toward Leonard for once.

[ArmyGirl]

Leonard rocks, he's the anchor of the show.

 

 

I agree and wish the writers would do more with Leonard other than making him the punching bag of the other characters. 

 

Please writers give Leonard something to work with in the way of a decent storyline.  It's okay to invest in a storyline for the character it won't take anything away from Sheldon, IMO.

[Nogravitasatall]

Is th

Hi Nogravitasatall,

I am not worry about a romantic relationsip between P/S, I am worry about Penny being there holding Sheldon hand through his so called growth. I have to ask why can't Penny do more in the way of showing the viewers her true feels about Leonard? How about letting Penny be less of a cheerleader for for Sheldon and Shamy and more for Lenny. I just want the same effort that Penny put into everyone else be direction toward Leonard for once.

yeah, I had similar thoughts early in the season, but then I determined that they were moving towards being able to take the L/P solidarity for "granite" (bad pun on "for granted"). So I think we should see more couples moments in s7. Shamy is cute but the nerd/Aphrodite thing still has legs. Or maybe its Diana. Anyway they are lock now.

"blast from the past" got mention on the 6.23 thread.ive thought Leonard is a bit like Adam ( if Adam had not been Brendan Fraser)as he too was "hothoused" by scientists. Penny is almost Eve. Now I want to have Christopher Walken guest as a Hofstadter, so much.

Edited May 10, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[wannamaker]

Leonard is a Stud, wearing a nerd mask. I'm sure he's got issues with therapy, as he's obviously got issues with his mother. They keep him that way for the sake of comedy, they need him as part of the group dynamic. But I wish he could go wild, take up the electric guitar, buy a motorcycle, and dump his neurosis. Then he'd have a girlfriend like Alice (was that the name of the hot woman who came in the comic store?). He deserves it after all he's put up with!

 

No way

 

she's not suited for Leonard.I put my bet on Penny for him.

[Anomaly]

Leonard is a Stud, wearing a nerd mask. I'm sure he's got issues with therapy, as he's obviously got issues with his mother. They keep him that way for the sake of comedy, they need him as part of the group dynamic. But I wish he could go wild, take up the electric guitar, buy a motorcycle, and dump his neurosis. Then he'd have a girlfriend like Alice (was that the name of the hot woman who came in the comic store?). He deserves it after all he's put up with!

 

 

No way

 

she's not suited for Leonard.I put my bet on Penny for him.

 

Being a guy, i don't know nor couldn't care less if Leonard is a stud, but I do know he is (or at least was until Howard got "normalized") the least geeky of the four. That said, I wish every now & then, things wouldn't go the safe, predictable Hollywood route. I wish Leonard would have said to Hell with Priya and hooked up with Alice, rather than the typical, predictable & oh so boring ending up with the girl across the hall. Everybody knew this was the main story arc from the get-go... How boring & predictable is that?

[ArmyGirl]

Being a guy, i don't know nor couldn't care less if Leonard is a stud, but I do know he is (or at least was until Howard got "normalized") the least geeky of the four. That said, I wish every now & then, things wouldn't go the safe, predictable Hollywood route. I wish Leonard would have said to Hell with Priya and hooked up with Alice, rather than the typical, predictable & oh so boring ending up with the girl across the hall. Everybody knew this was the main story arc from the get-go... How boring & predictable is that?

 

As a Leonard fan I am glad he didn't cheat on Priya.  Leonard gets dumped on enough by the writers and other characters why have his a cheater too. 

 

I too want something better for Leonard and I want him out of Sheldon shadow so he can grow as a person and in his work.  He can't go anywhere due to Sheldon and I find that sad.  Heck they could open up another apartment in the bill for Leonard but they won't.... he has to be there for Sheldon to put down at every turn.

[ArmyGirl]

I really like how Leonard has developed though the series and his friendship with Sheldon.

My only bug bear is that he doesn't seem so "positive" in the sixth series, I don't know of this is on purpose or what though?

 

 

The very friendship that everyone loves comes at the expense of Leonard.  As for being positive in season six that's a little hard to do when he has been pushed off to the side to give other characters more screen time.  Even though I like the later characters being added I didn't know that Leonard one of the originial would be cut to the bare bone.

[Anomaly]

As a Leonard fan I am glad he didn't cheat on Priya.  Leonard gets dumped on enough by the writers and other characters why have his a cheater too. 

 

I too want something better for Leonard and I want him out of Sheldon shadow so he can grow as a person and in his work.  He can't go anywhere due to Sheldon and I find that sad.  Heck they could open up another apartment in the bill for Leonard but they won't.... he has to be there for Sheldon to put down at every turn.

 

Personally, I think all of this relationship focus needs to be thrown out the window, so the show can get back to the geek oriented sit-com that it started out being. This isn't drama, the characters don't need to grow too much, Unfortunately, that's already happened and The Big Bang Theory has become another Friends. The next thing you know, Bernadette & Howard will have a baby, because there was a baby on Friends. Just watch.

 

All that said, Priya had already moved back to India when Leonard met Alice. In fact, Priya had already hooked back up with her ex when Leonard went out with Alice. If you want to turn TBBT into a relationship driven drama, Alice was a much better fit for Leonard than Priya or Penny.

[Nogravitasatall]

Anomaly, that frames Alice as "the one that got away", but if she has stayed it would have been another "perfect match" like Amy, and without the fun that we get from the Penny Leonard incongruousness. I think the show would have been more like a concluded HIMYM then. Leonard made the right choice, I think. He is building his perfect relationship, not just falling into a pre-fabricated one.

I think he made the calcs at the time. And the show was doing a bit of messing with the viewers. It was never anything but a gag. Alex was Alice redux and they played the same gag but longer

the next challenge will be how he lives in the relationship he chose. Maybe. I think. Perhaps. WDIK.

Edited May 11, 2013 by Nogravitasatall

[ArmyGirl]

Nogravitasatall,

 

I have to agree that both Alice and Alex  were "perfect match" for Leonard and we all know that isn't how life always work. 

 

I think Leonard choice of Penny is "the heart wants, what the heart wants." 

 

It's time for the next level for Leonard and Penny and that is being on their own, in a place of their own. And hopefully not in Penny's tiny apartment. lol