Melissa Rauch has shared how she thinks her The Big Bang Theory character Bernadette and her husband, Howard (Simon Helberg), are doing in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hit CBS sitcom wrapped up in 2019 after its 12-season run and made stars of its main cast, including Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons. However, due to its continued popularity and loyal viewership, fans remain invested in the lives of the Pasadena gang.
When The Big Bang Theory first aired in 2007, it only had five original characters: Sheldon (Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Cuoco), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), and Howard. By season 4, the show brought in Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) and Bernie, and the two became regulars in the sitcom, eventually marrying Sheldon and Howard respectively. As the first to get married among their friends, the Wolowitzes already had two children when the show ended. Suffice to say, the couple had the most traditional relationship arc in the popular series. While the rest of the gang navigated their personal and professional lives as singles, Bernie and Howard were already operating as a unit.
Given this, it is interesting to imagine how the characters have been doing in The Big Bang Theory universe since the show ended, especially in the last 18 months, during which the coronavirus has spread to a global pandemic. Speaking with Cheat Sheet in light of her new project, the revival of Night Court, Rauch shared her thoughts what she believed would be the Wolowitzes' state right now. The actress spoke very fondly of her iconic TV character, saying she only hopes that she and her family are faring well during the current crisis:
"I always said Bernadette was sort of like a big sister in many ways to me. She sort of did things a few steps ahead of me in life in general, but I hope her and Howard are off somewhere with their kids just weathering this pandemic.”
Previously, Parsons was asked the same question, and knowing full well what Sheldon was like, he decided that his Big Bang Theory character could actually be thriving in this age of mandated social distancing. In fact, the actor suggested that perhaps Sheldon might even be taking advantage of this time to work on his next Nobel Prize-winning project. That being said, things are different for Howard and Bernie. For starters, the pair have children, so there would no doubt be a lot of anxiety around the virus given the lack of vaccines for younger people. What's more, Bernie's work would likely be very busy. Chances are that her pharmaceutical company has been hard at work developing medicines and vaccines that could combat COVID-19.
It's interesting to consider where Penny, Leonard, and Raj fit in all of this. By the end of The Big Bang Theory, it was revealed that the Hofstadters were expecting their first child. Since Howard and Bernie already had two kids, it's likely they would seek them for help and parenting advice. As for Raj, it all depends on if he's still single. If he is, then chances are that he's still third-wheeling with Howard and Bernie.
Source: Cheat Sheet