While many viewers may dislike The Big Bang Theory for its old school sitcom wit, the television series remains at the top of its game with some of the highest viewership totals of any scripted program out there. Known for its nerd-sensitive appeal, many never believed the show would reach the mass popularity of Friends or Everybody Loves Raymond, but the comedy is definitely there now as the vast scientific community has lead the charge. Nonetheless, high ratings come and go with the years which is why today’s story cements The Big Bang Theory as a program that will not be forgotten, and the show’s producers have Emmy-winner Jim Parsons to thank for it.
The actor portrays the biggest draw on the series by a mile–Dr. Sheldon Cooper who plays a high-IQ university professor with limited social abilities. The character’s catchphrase? Bazinga. That is what he says upon tricking one of his colleagues which is precisely what a Brazilian orchid bee did on many occasions as scientists found it hard to differentiate. Because of this shared trait, Brazilian biologist Andre Nemesio named this new species…Euglossa bazinga with the first part simply identifying the genus of orchid bees that bazingas belong to.
Steven Molaro, an executive producer of The Big Bang Theory, weighed in on the nod by saying, “Sheldon would be honored to know that Euglossa bazinga was inspired by him. In fact, after ‘Mothra’ and griffins, bees are his third-favorite flying creatures.” Perhaps one day the species will be mentioned in the show, but for now we should only bank on more Stephen Hawking jokes.
The Big Bang Theory continues its sixth season on Thursday, January 10 with an episode entitled The Bakersfield Expedition.
[Reuters]