BIG BANG THEORY BULLY Arrives!

It was only a matter of time before The Big Bang Theory introduced us to the people who bullied Thursday night’s favorite nerds. BBT will bring Leonard’s high school tormentor back in to his life, causing me (and probably you) to wonder if he’s changed at all in the interim since they graduated all those years ago. My inner child is screaming “Once a bully, always a bully!” but he shouldn’t be trusted in the slightest. He’s always craving candy and I just can’t eat as much as he wants me to.

According to EW.com, Leonard’s bully will be played by Lance Barber (The Comeback) and will poke his head in during Episode 11 this season. Having seen Barber’s face numerous times, I just can’t visualize him as the bullying type. I’m definitely leaning towards him growing up and becoming more accepting of people like Leonard (as he should, because they are normal people, with the exception of Sheldon of course). Barber’s character might even be impressed by how well Leonard is doing (not to mention having been involved with some very attractive women in recent years). I could almost see them awkwardly getting along despite their unfortunate shared history. Of course, I’m inferring a lot and this episode isn’t scheduled to air for a while yet.

As someone who isn’t a big fan of BBT (the humor can be pretty low brow coming from supposed geniuses), I’m worried the show will waste a good opportunity to explore bullying the right way. I can’t help but feel it will take the easy route, making Barber into some angry jock. That just wouldn’t be fun.