The Big Bang Theory (TV Series) The Pants Alternative (2010) User Reviews

"The Pants Alternative" is another very funny episode of "The Big Bang Theory"

[tavm · 8/10 · 27 March 2011]

In this last season ep of "The Big Bang Theory": Sheldon has been accepted for an award and he's thrilled. Then he finds out he has to make a speech and he's terrified. It all has to do from when he graduated from college at 14 and when he had to stand up to the podium, he started to feel nauseous and then...well, just as he does when reenacting it-faints. So Raj, Penny, and Leonard (Howard doesn't give a damn) resolve to be Sheldon's X-(or C-since his last name is Cooper and not Xavier)Men and try to make his next public speaking engagement more comfortable. Raj tries to get Sheldon to imagine his comfort zone which he does by thinking of his own city with his own store that he gets 15% off any item. Then he imagines Godzilla wreaking havoc...Okay, next Penny takes him to a store to try on a suit though Shel keeps picking the wrong one before thinking opposite of the right one. Finally, Leonard tries to find the source of his roommate's stage fright by first mentioning his own humiliation when his mother made him give his science fair prize back because of a similar project his older brother did that got him the prize. Because of Leonard's returning bedwetting problem, Sheldon finally is ready to make his speech. At the banquet, he becomes nervous again so Penny gives him some alcoholic drinks which Sheldon rarely partakes in. Perhaps he takes one too many as evidenced when his performance ends up on YouTube...This was another very funny episode of "The Big Bang Theory" and once again, Sheldon is the reason why (No wonder Jim Parsons won both the Emmy and Golden Globe for this season). His speech is the highlight of this particular episode and if you read this far and still don't understand what he did, I highly recommend "The Pants Alternative" for viewing. By the way, on Chuck Lorre's vanity card, he addresses the accusation of this show using a "laugh machine" on the soundtrack by showing a picture of a massive audience laughing and saying that's the laugh machine. Personally, I never doubted it for one minute...

Self Destruction

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 6 October 2021]

Raj has to drink. Sheldon can't drink at all. In this episode he has been chosen by the University for a prestigious award. But he has to make a speech. He faints in front of large crowds. The gang decides to aid him in his preparation. But when he starts to faint during his introduction by Leonard, things go awry. There are numerous precious moments here. Don't miss any of them.

The Pants Alternative (#3.18)

[ComedyFan2010 · 10/10 · 25 July 2019]

What a funny Sheldon episode! Sheldon shopping for a suit with Penny was really funny. His taste is absolutely crazy! It was also fun to watch how everyone was trying to make him feel more confident to make his speech. And drunk Sheldon is a very fun Sheldon. Loved his jokes, and that Youtube video was just too good

Tom Lehrer Rocks

[stejamo · 10/10 · 7 December 2013]

I hope people don't overlook this man's genius (Tom Lehrer) in writing the lyrics to "the Elements Song", basically singing the entire periodic table to the tune of "Gilbert & Sullivans" "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General." I believe any true geek who enjoys this sitcom and does not know about Tom Lehrer should familiarize themselves with him and especially his songs about mathematics! Just saying. He's very old now and will probably not be with with us much longer. Also, people in my age group (40-50) will remember him on the Electric Company television program ... he wrote "Silent E" and other classics.

The Pants Alternative

[studioAT · 3/10 · 29 August 2022]

Sheldon seeks help from the rest of the gang in overcoming his fear of public speaking when he receives an award.

This is a rather thin episode, that feels very much like a filler one 3/4 of the way through a series. Like a few from the 3rd series it starts well, and then rather fades away as it progresses.

I thought Sheldon and Howard were acting out of character, and the less aid about the very cringy scene at the end the better.

There are some nice moments, and I'm always a fan of scenes featuring Sheldon and Penny together.

Overall, not one of the better episodes of the show unfortunately.