The Grasshopper Experiment (12 Nov. 2007)

Rajesh's parents, communicating from India by Web cam, arrange for him to go out with another Indian woman in the hopes of marriage, but his date turns out to have more in common with Sheldon.

Director:

Ted Wass

Writers:

Chuck Lorre (creator), Bill Prady (creator),

Stars:

Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Johnny Galecki	...	Leonard Hofstadter
Jim Parsons	...	Sheldon Cooper
Kaley Cuoco	...	Penny
Simon Helberg	...	Howard Wolowitz
Kunal Nayyar	...	Raj Koothrappali
Sarayu Rao	...	Lalita Gupta
Brian George	...	Dr. V. M. Koothrappali
Alice Amter	...	Mrs. Koothrappali

Storyline

Raj's parents back in New Delhi have set him up with a childhood acquaintance of his named Lalita Gupta, who has just moved to California. Their plan is for the two to get married. Raj does not want to meet with Lalita let alone get married to her if only because he still has difficulties even speaking to women. Howard decides to take matters into his own hands to get Raj to at least meet with her. Meanwhile, Penny, wanting to practice her bartending skills, uses the guys as guinea pigs, which opens up a whole new world for Raj, especially at this critical time in his mating life. But even if Raj can speak to Lalita, the words that come out of his mouth will be equally as important. Lalita does end up having a connection while on their date, but...

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Plot Keywords:

wallet | tequila sunrise | texting | laptop computer | grasshopper drink | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 2007 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 25, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chuck Lorre Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Title Reference: Penny practices mixing cocktails and mixes a Grasshopper for Raj.

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Quotes

Penny: Sheldon, what are you going to have?
Sheldon: I'll have a Diet Coke.
Penny: Okay, can you please order a cocktail? I need to practice mixing drinks.
Sheldon: Fine. I'll have a virgin Cuba Libre.
Penny: That's, um, Rum and Coke without the Rum.
Sheldon: Yes.
Penny: So, Coke.
Sheldon: Yes... And would you make it Diet?
Penny: There's a can in the fridge.
Sheldon: A Cuba Libre traditionally comes in a tall glass with a lime wedge.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

In the opening scroll of the time line when it gets to 91,000 there is a mistake the dates read 93,000BC 92,000BC 91,0009C 90,000BC for some reason 91,000 is a 9c not a BC.

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Connections

References Super Friends (1973)

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Soundtracks

"To Life"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Performed by Jim Parsons

User Reviews

The Grasshopper Experiment is another excellent episode of "The Big Bang Theory"

In Sheldon and Leonard's apartment, Raj Koothrappali introduces his parents on his computer screen to them and Howard Wolowitz. The parents tell their son about a grown Indian woman Raj knew previously as a fat child coming over for an arraigned marriage. Her name is Lalita (Sarayu Rao). Penny comes over and asks for help in mixing drinks to prepare for her new bar tending job. In her apartment, Sheldon keeps ordering a drink with an unusual name that basically is Diet Coke while Raj, having drank her Grasshopper and had previously just whispered to his friends in order to communicate with any woman, opens up to Penny about his insecurity in meeting his future bride. When he meets Lalita later at Penny's bar, he does nothing but inadvertently insult her. Sheldon, however, when he meets her, charms her when he tells her she's the spitting image of a princess of an Indian folk tale his mother read from a book when her son as a child was often sick. Latita leaves with Sheldon which upsets a now jealous Raj. The next day, Raj tries to talk on computer screen to his upset parents alone while Sheldon reveals to Leonard that nothing romantic happened between him and Lalita. Later at the bar, Sheldon performs a "Fidler on the Roof" number on keyboard thanks to some alcohol Penny put in his Diet Coke...Another very funny episode of "The Big Bang Theory" that served as a nice showcase for Koothrappali and his Indian family and upbringing. Great performances from everyone here with special mention going to Ms. Rao for her great sense of humor. Now if only the writer's strike would end so this series could bloom to its full potential for the rest of the season...