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Ever since the first season wrapped, it was already apparent thatThe Big Bang Theorywas destined to become a hit show and a new TV franchise. In the years since, it’s accomplished just that, quickly growing to become one of the most celebrated sitcoms of all time and spawning a franchise that now has two spin-off shows and more on the horizon.
However, while theYoung Sheldonspin-off made perfect sense, asJim Parson’s brilliant portrayal of Sheldon Coopermade him the most popular character, someBig Bang Theorypuristsprobably viewGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriageas aYoung Sheldonspin-off rather than a pureBigBang Theoryone. The fact that other possible upcoming spin-off shows appear set to include secondary characters like Stuart has left some fans yearning for more.
While characters like Stuart are popular and would likely make for a great addition to the franchise, most fans want to see new shows that include the core characters in some way. While they don’t necessarily have to be the same character arcs continued from the original show, even prequel shows would be welcome so long as fans get to see and learn more about their favorite characters.
If you’re a massiveBig Bang Theoryfan who agrees with these sentiments, here are a few reasons whyRajesh Koothrappaliwould actually be the ideal character for a new spin-off show.
Raj’s Heritage and the Cultural Angles It Provides
Raj’s Indian heritage and culture often provided plenty of angles for some of thefunniest moments of the original show.The writers often hilariously played off Raj’s Indian culture, though what made it even more amusing was that it was usually Raj himself who often poked fun at his own heritage and some of its more complex underpinnings and rules.
15 Pop Culture References in ‘The Big Bang Theory’ That Hit the Nail on the Head
Big Bang Theory was always on point with its pop culture references in a way that only true science and comic book geeks could truly appreciate.
For example, as a Hindu, Raj was forbidden from eating beef, while some Hindu sects require followers to observe vegetarianism. Cows are also sacred to his belief system, meaning there is more than one significant reason why these rules ought to be observed religiously by Raj. Yet, in the U.S., providing some of his mostunforgettable moments as the character, Raj finds himself hilariously loving hamburgers and other meat dishes. This is evident in the episode titled ‘The Pirate Solution,’ where Raj believes he is facing deportation. As he sees Sheldon eating a beef-based pasta dish, his hilarious line underscores the comical contrast between his culture and how blatantly he ignores it in the U.S.
Oh, beefaroni. I think I’ll miss you most of all.
His Family Life in ‘The Big Bang Theory’
The Big Bang Theory
In other scenes, Raj often has to deal with his sister Priya and their fighting, andhis parents and their expectationsregarding their Hindu culture.Whether it’s moments like them trying to arrange his marriage or how he has to hide it from them when dating other women, Raj’s cultural identity and his antics in America often provide the ideal recipe for comedy gold in the show.
On the other hand, while Raj isn’t usually thatserious about religionhimself, as he is prone to making fun of his own culture or ignoring its rules when it suits him, he’s also just as willing to lean on it when it does suit him. He often speaks proudly of his life back in India (though this was largely to boast about how wealthy his family is). On other occasions, he’s been known to leverage his accent and tout himself as an exotic catch when pursuing American women. These angles show just how much scope there would be for hilarity if Raj ever had his own show.
Raj’s Quest for Love in The Big Bang Theory' Is Always Entertaining
One of the most pivotal areas of Raj’s time inThe Big Bang Theorydelved into his foibles when it comes to finding love.His character arcalso traverses a pretty expansive journey, seeing as he started with selective mutism and was unable to even speak if there was a woman in the room. Fast-forward a few seasons, and Raj’s growth as a character sees him having a one-night fling with Penny and later even being torn between two women.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Fate Revealed by CBS Following Season 1 Debut
Things are looking good for The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon spin-off.
In some ways, it was often Raj’s bungling attempts at love that made him so relatable. It was easy to see ourselves in him. Whether it was his sometimes awkward, sometimes ultra-confident antics, his inner darkness that was ultimately always conquered by his good nature, or just the way he cared about those he loved most, Raj was an everyday character and someone that anyone could feel comfortable with. According to the brilliant and very funny Kunal Nayyar, who played him, even his mutism, which seemed so far-fetched at times, was actually based on a real person. Nayyar revealed this many years ago when he answered fan questions for a piece byPage Six:When asked if Raj’s mutism was a real thing, here’s how he responded:
“It is a recognized disease called selective mutism. The character is based on a friend of [co-creator] Bill Prady’s who had this pathological shyness. He’s since gotten married and had kids, so he’s been cured of it.”
By the end of the show, despite his repeated earlier attempts to avoid an arranged marriage, he later warms to the idea. Unfortunately, despite Raj and his arranged bride, Anu, initially seeming like a good match, by the end of the show, he ultimately ends up alone again. While this is certainly sad for fans of Raj, it also meanshe has an empty slate for a new show that could see him perhaps continuing his pursuit of love.
His Career and Work Antics in ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Provide Plenty of Potential
While all the potential around new love interest arcs for Raj already offers oodles of ideas for a great spin-off series, there’s also the added scope of his professional life. While a new show would likely have to see Raj relocate if the other core cast members won’t be able to regularly show up in his life anymore, his life asa successful astrophysicist and academicmeans there are endless options for a new start.
Given Raj’s credentials, he could start a professional journey at another esteemed institution and maybe even change cities if he happens to take a new job. A new environment, new position, new friends, and new love interests provide excellent scope for a great spin-off show. It’s easy to envision something like that playing well to fans and broader audiences.
Given how sweet, endearing, and hysterically funny Kunal Nayyar was as Raj Koothrappali on the show, there are likely fewBig Bang Theoryfans who would say no to him getting his own show. Of course, there’s alsothe option for a prequeland a change of actor. However, truth be told, most of the buzz aroundBig Bangspin-offs probably has more to do with fans missing the original characters than really wanting to see other versions of them.
Nayyar has graciously not ruled out the idea of possibly returning as Raj one day.If his Instagram account is anything to go by, the now 43-year-old star still regularly postsBig BangTheory-related photos and behind-the-scenes shots with his co-stars.
That’s also why a Raj spin-off show would be an ideal way to provide cameos from other fan favorites like Howard, Sheldon, Leonard, or Penny. It’s just an idea for now. However, if the TV Gods are good to us and Kunal Nayyar is up for it, we could one day see Raj in his own show. Fingers crossed! In the meantime, the new spin-off,Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,is streaming onParamount+, andThe Big Bang Theoryis streaming onMax.
