The Problem-Solving Paradox
Better Question: Do you want me to listen, or do you want a solution?
In The Big Bang Theory, Penny is the beautiful blonde waitress trying to become a famous actress. It isn’t until season seven that she lands a small role on NCIS.
But when the gang gathers to watch the episode, they realize her scene was cut. She’s heartbroken and starts spiraling about her failing acting career.
Leonard, finally dating Penny after a lengthy courtship, tries to solve the problem. He sits next to Penny on her bright blue couch in the center of her perpetually messy apartment and (quite proudly) tells her that he got her an audition. She’s initially excited.
Then she learns he simply submitted an application online to be in the next Star Wars movie, something anyone could do. Leonard’s insistence that she has a leg up because she’ll be competing against nerds and geeks starts digging the hole, and comparing her to Luke Skywalker makes it deeper.
He ends the exchange by saying, “Wow, I can actually feel you hating me right now.”
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