Reddit Picks the Most Annoying TBBT Character, and the Result is Surprising
No matter how beloved a television show is, there will always be certain characters that just grate on the audience's nerves.
Whether a villain everyone loves to hate or just an annoying person, no show is beyond having someone that fans just cannot stand. Even The Big Bang Theory, with one of the most adored ensemble casts in television history, is not immune to this phenomenon.
Reddit users have spoken and chosen who they feel is the most annoying TBBT character. Many of the main cast got a mention in the thread, but the clear winner in irritating was none other than the main character, Leonard Hofstadter.
Users were loud and frequent in their dislike for the physicist, played by Johnny Galecki, describing him as being whiny and immature; he was the far and away most disliked character on the show.
Fans pointed out that while he did have a difficult start in life thanks to his uncaring mother, it was ultimately up to him to grow up and learn he did not need her approval. They added that his deliberate choice of an emasculating mate in Penny only further demonstrated that he was not willing to grow up.
That situation was only compounded when Penny obtained a much higher-paying job, further fuelling his insecurities and giving rise to endless unnecessary conflict between them.
Reddit users also noted the frequent fights between Leonard and Penny as, while being good television, always seemed to hinge on Leonard being the one at fault, despite Penny being far from perfect. His distrust of her when she intends to have a male friend stay with her, his ludicrous behaviour when she befriends a male classmate, and him cheating on her are just a few examples fans have pointed out that speak to Leonard being a truly annoying boyfriend and character overall.
Leonard also shifts along the way, with Reddit users noticing he starts off sweet and kind but becomes meaner and nastier as the series progresses. Losing his patience with Sheldon and his other friends more frequently, he becomes so vastly different from the character fans were introduced to that he is almost no longer recognisable. While there is something to be said for character development, fans feel that the rest of the TBBT ensemble became better as the show went on, while Leonard only got worse.
A surprising result to be sure that Reddit users have deemed Leonard Hofstadter the most annoying character on TBBT. But despite the widespread dislike for the main character, the show will always be loved, which is a clear indication that even though Leonard is considered the least likable character, by comparison, he is still probably far more adored than many other fictional TV characters out there.