The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother were huge hit sitcoms for CBS during their time, and they shared a common thread with their distinctive quirks. The Big Bang Theory has a group of friends, consisting of scientists and minimum wagers who reside in Pasadena; while How I Met Your Mother features a gang of drinking buddies in New York. But one things they have in common is, truly, love.
There could be a chance that these two worlds would collide and sparks could fly (or not). But who knows? Perhaps a few Pasadena nerds and New Yorkers make for great pairings.
Wouldn’t Work: Stuart and Lily
While the belief “opposites attract” remains true, it does not apply to all. Case in point: a hypothetical pairing of Stuart and Lily. On one hand, there is the once striving comic-book store owner Stuart, who sadly has self-esteem.
And there is the aspiring artist Lily, who is brimming with energy and intrigue. Pairing them together would only have Stuart unable to cope with Lily’s increasing exuberance and occasional fits of rage. Other than that, what common ground can they find from their interests?
Would Work: Penny and Ted
Now here are characters who usually serve as the “straight man” of their respective friendship circles. Penny is Leonard and Sheldon’s down-to-earth neighbor who improves upon herself by the friendship she has with them. And Ted is a struggling architect and a hopeless romantic, whose outlook in life brightens despite a history of failed romances.
Pairing them can allow Penny to appeal to Ted’s profound confidence, and Ted to Penny’s kind-hearted nature. Though it will take time for them to get along, they have tons of fun stories to share.
Wouldn’t Work: Amy and Marshall
If ever Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler and Marshall Eriksen would meet in an environmentalist summit, Marshall would have an optimistic and passionate opinion about the subject, and Amy would give a more serious and by-the-books approach. While their opposing personalities make for interesting discussions, they would not work in a relationship.
Amy is a stern figure who usually stumbles socially, and it would make for an uneasy foil for the goofy and over-emotional Marshall. Then again, they have their peculiar quirks, but their antics are best suited for misadventures, not dating.
Would Work: Emily and Barney
Barney Stinson knows his way with women. Thus, he might easily find a way with Emily Sweeney. Aside from being truly attracted to her, Barney might find her love of everything macabre very intriguing.
On Emily’s side, Barney’s willingness to woo her could attract her. And in the process, she could find pleasure in him accepting her macabre tendencies when he himself likes off-kilter ferociousness. Basing on looks and desires alone, Emily and Barney make for a fitting pairing.
Wouldn’t Work: Leslie and Ted
Leslie Winkle is often deemed as the female equivalent of Leonard Hofstadter. She is highly intelligent and dedicated to her field of study, but she is also conceited, devious, and neglectful of her love life. This makes her at total odds with hopeless romantic Ted.
As seen from The Big Bang Theory, Leslie is more committed to casual dating than to true love. It could work for a moment for Ted. But since he has loftier expectations of romance, Ted can only expect banters about logic and human condition from Leslie.
Would Work: Raj and Lily
Lily really is brimming with energy and intrigue, which makes her a suitable partner for Raj Koothrappali. When in his element, Raj can be open to any girl, especially to those who are outgoing, and Lily and her sprightly attitude could catch his attention.
Raj and Lily are expressive when it comes to romance, so their interactions could spark intensity and interest between them. It fits since they are two people with innocent appearances but hidden ferocity.
Wouldn’t Work: Howard and Robin
On the other hand, there is Howard Wolowitz, who is unabashedly boastful about his pursuit of women and about himself in general. And that makes him a target of diatribes for Robin Scherbatsky, not a potential date. But if they did attempt to date, Howard’s pickup lines would fall flat over Robin’s hardcore personality.
Speaking of, Robin would be difficult to woo since she is fearful of commitment. So, unless they find passionate common interests, Howard is better off not flirting with her.
Would Work: Leonard and Tracy
One of the similarities of The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother is the core romantic storyline. For the former, it has Leonard and Penny. And for the latter, it has Ted and the titular mother, Tracy. In some ways, Leonard and Ted are nearly alike when it comes to their views of romance and emotional growth.
Thus, the experimental physicist would make a good partner for Tracy. Her amiability easily connects to Leonard’s judicious compass. Plus, their equally outgoing nature makes for fun and romantic exploits.
Wouldn’t Work: Bernadette and Barney
While Barney is a self-proclaimed ladies’ man (and eventually was in reality), his flirtations would not work on Bernadette. Her belligerent behavior under her bubbly appearance might seem surprising for Barney. Additionally, Bernadette can easily see through a man’s shallow attempts to woo her, as seen with Howard.
On Barney’s side, his fun quirks, like his numerous suits, magic tricks, and urban legends may initially attract Bernadette. But when he gets more intimate, Bernadette would find him creepy and intolerable.
Would Work: Sheldon and Robin
Finally, here are two characters often deemed as barely emotional. Dr. Sheldon Cooper is a highly intelligent but mostly stoic theoretical physicist, and Robin Scherbatsky is an extremely talented but staunchly independent news reporter. Both are afraid of commitment. However, despite their defense mechanisms, they are vulnerable in the relationships they have with their friends.
Their contemptuous view in life and relationships make for an interesting dynamic between them. Plus, they can find common ground with their sarcasm and idiosyncrasies about awkward childhoods.