Jim Parsons played the role of Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory. There is a certain children’s game that he just couldn’t remember. Nevertheless, it is one of the most popular games of the sitcom.
Which game is it? In episode 8 of season 2, Sheldon and Raj can’t decide which sci-fi movie they want to watch. Raj wants to decide it with the classic rock-paper-scissors. But Sheldon points out that among acquaintances, there is up to an 80% chance that the duel will end in a tie.
Therefore, he suggests playing the extended version rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock. The rules are a bit more complicated than in normal rock-paper-scissors:
- The scissors cut the paper
- The paper wraps the rock
- The rock crushes the lizard
- The lizard poisons Spock
- Spock smashes the scissors
- The scissors decapitate the lizard
- The lizard eats the paper
- The paper disproves Spock
- Spock vaporizes the rock
- The rock crushes the scissors
So, in addition to the classic rules, the lizard and Spock have crept in, each adding a new twist to the existing elements. This makes a tie even less likely. Ironically, there is still a tie in the episode because both Raj and Sheldon choose Spock.
You can watch the trailer for The Big Bang Theory here:
The actor of Sheldon couldn’t remember the rules
Why were the rules so difficult for Jim Parsons? The actor admitted that he would like to remember the rules of the game. However, explaining the rules of the game was one of the hardest monologues he ever had to memorize.
When asked if he was tired when fans asked him to play rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock with them, Parsons replied:
I am not tired at all! Mainly because I can’t do it. I think people are tired of me being such a disappointment when they hear about it or, God forbid, want to play it. Honestly, that was one of the hardest things I ever had to memorize. Somehow, it just doesn’t fit in my brain. I hate to say that means it doesn’t matter to me, but I’m afraid it really doesn’t mean much to me.
Therefore, he would like to know the rules, but they just wouldn’t “fit in his brain.” Since The Big Bang Theory ended with season 12, he at least doesn’t have to try to remember the rules anymore.
In addition to The Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons also appeared in the spin-off series Young Sheldon. For the grand finale of season 7, he returned as the crazy genius. In an interview, he revealed how he felt stepping back into his role: This is how Sheldon felt about his return to The Big Bang Theory
