This TBBT & Friends Parallel Will Change How You See Leonard Completely
There are numerous similarities between The Big Bang Theory and Friends, and many parallels can be drawn between the main characters of the beloved sitcoms. For example, Leonard Hofstadter bears a striking resemblance to Ross Geller, if you pause to think about it.
Both characters started their journeys as nice geeky guys but developed into much less likable characters in the course of their respective shows. The arcs of Leonard Hofstadter and Ross Geller are pretty similar. They both meet a hot popular girl in the very first episode and start obsessing over her, which leads to a quite complicated relationship.
And though both these characters seem nice and loyal, later on, they start showing repulsive character traits which make fans dislike them.
In the first season of Friends, we meet Ross, who has survived a personal drama of his wife leaving him for a woman. He seems broken, a bit pitiful, and clueless about what to do with his life. So when he meets his high school crush, the viewers are bound to want them to be together and heal Ross' broken heart.
But with time the audience realizes that Ross is whiny, needy, and passive-aggressive, and it has nothing to do with his failed marriage. This is just who he is.
Ross lands Rachel, but it doesn't make him a better person. On the contrary, he becomes even more arrogant and self-involved. In the relationship, he comes as a jealous and controlling partner. After his breakup with Rachel, Ross starts to lead an active dating life, which also doesn't make him any good.
Similarly, in the first season of The Big Bang Theory, Leonard appears before us as a sweet, smart, caring, and a bit weak person letting Sheldon control his life.
Just like Ross, Leonard wins Penny's heart, but this doesn't make him a better man. He seems jealous, selfish, and obsessive in relationships. And just like Ross, Leonard starts actively dating after his breakup with Penny, which makes him more arrogant and self-obsessed.
Though both characters have positive traits like being smart, hard-working, and loyal to their friends, their most uncanny similarity comes with the inability to see themselves as the problem. They consider themselves too nice to be put to blame for anything.
Remember the "we were on a break" episode? This makes both characters entitled and in a way sexist, which both TV shows explain by their "nerd" personalities.