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The Big Bang Theory Fans Know Why Sheldon Knocks 3 Times, But I Love The Writer’s Hilariously Simple Origin Story

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The 2025 television lineup is progressing smoothly, but a significant change is coming: starting this year, viewers will no longer see the regular appearances of Sheldon Cooper in new shows. After debuting on “The Big Bang Theory” in 2007 and then leading his own prequel spinoff, “Young Sheldon,” through its final episode in early 2024, the beloved character’s antics will no longer be aired. This means we won’t get to witness any more of his unique quirks, such as his adult habit of knocking three times. However, I must say that I am quite enjoying the writers’ clever and humorous explanation for this peculiar trait.

Why Did A Big Bang Theory Writer Decide That Sheldon Should Knock 3 Times?

Among all the television characters known for their peculiar and inexplicable actions, it’s safe to say that Sheldon Cooper from “The Big Bang Theory” is often at the top of many fans’ lists. Throughout the series, he established a roommate contract with Leonard, devised a relationship protocol for Amy, asserted that he’s too advanced for commonplace activities like driving, and has given others plenty of trouble due to his quirks. However, we did eventually discover the reasoning behind Sheldon’s door-knocking pattern, which stemmed from a belief that he had unexpectedly walked in on his father having an affair when he was young.

In a different version of the story told in ‘Young Sheldon’, it was made clear that George Sr., Sheldon’s dad, wasn’t portrayed as a jerk (since it turned out that his wife, Mary, was just role-playing). However, we’re still curious about who thought up Sheldon’s three-knock signal and why they believed it was appropriate. The creator of this Sheldonism is Lee Aronsohn, a producer and writer for the series. When asked by the host of ‘The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast’, Aronsohn explained that one knock wouldn’t suffice for Sheldon, the theoretical particle physicist, because…

I regret that my memory of it isn’t crystal clear, but I do recall that the thought process behind it wasn’t analytical in nature. When it comes to being a writer, actor, or any kind of performer, timing is absolutely crucial. The most successful individuals seem to possess an innate sense of rhythm, much like an internal metronome. Similarly, in sitcom writing, it’s essential to know where the pauses should be and what will provoke laughter from the audience.

Given that the whole scenario traces its roots to the widely acclaimed 12-season sitcom, known for its unique live recording, it’s no wonder that crafting moments that would elicit laughter from the entire crowd is a priority. In the very first instance we witness this on TBBT (specifically Season 1, Episode 10), Sheldon initially knocks four times, although this was later reduced. Regardless, it’s such an unexpected moment that it effectively incites laughter from the audience. He added:

A part of me felt an urge, ‘It’s necessary for there to be order and organization.’ In hindsight, I can understand why this mindset suits Sheldon. At the moment, I wasn’t consciously contemplating it; instead, it was more like a thought that struck me as amusing.

Interestingly enough, despite the fact that this particular element became a defining characteristic of the character (given its impact on young Sheldon and significantly diminishing his opinion of his father), it’s quite surprising that the primary intention was merely to elicit laughter. As Aronsohn pointed out, not only did he succeed in achieving that goal, but it also aligned well with the eccentric genius persona, making it a win from all perspectives!

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2025-07-17 15:37

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