"The Tenure Turbulence" is an episode of The Big Bang Theory that first aired on April 4, 2013. Directed by Mark Cendrowski. Teleplay by Chuck Lorre, Steve Holland and Jim Reynolds, based on a story by Steven Molaro, Eric Kaplan and Maria Ferrari.
Following the death of a tenured professor, the university has an open spot for another, and Leonard, Sheldon, and Raj compete over it. Kripke (John Ross Bowie) is also under consideration. And Sheldon once again makes a faux pas with Janine Davis (Regina King) from Human Resources.
Tropes
- Alliterative Title: All three words of the episode's title begin with T, and the second and third words are pronounced with a T sound at the beginning (\ ˈten-yər \ and \ ˈtər-byə-ləns \).
- Friend to All Children: Kripke claims to be good with children. "Something about me just makes them waff and waff."
- I Have Boobs, You Must Obey!: Leonard brought Penny in a lowcut Little Black Dress to Mr. Tupperman's funeral to flirt with the tenure committee in his favor.
- Innocently Insensitive: Sheldon tries to curry favor with Ms. Davis by giving her a DVD set of Roots (1977). ("The tragic history of slavery in America. Fun for the whole family.") Davis calls him out on giving it only because she's black. Sheldon doesn't quite learn his lesson; he then goes to Professor Wu with the complete works of Jackie Chan.
- Not Distracted by the Sexy: Sheldon. When Penny reveals her secret weapon — a Little Black Dress with an emphasized cleavage — he doesn't understand any of it.Sheldon: What? Has she done it yet?
- Professional Butt-Kisser: Kripke has no shame about it.Kripke: If you need my nose, you'll find it firmwy wodged up the wectum of the tenure committee.
- Whatever Happened to the Mouse?: It is never revealed which of the three, if any, got tenure.
