Sheldon Cooper presented The Big Bang Theory finale, the mystery in question predates much of that growth by several seasons.

The Big Bang Theory season 7 episode “The Discovery Dissipation” that Sheldon clocks his precise friend count at nine, although the number changes several times after Leonard disproves Sheldon’s groundbreaking research into a new element. But fans have long since wondered who the original nine were meant to be. Given that it’s not exceedingly likely for Sheldon to pop up in The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe after Jim Parsons grew weary of the original series, the new show can still connect to him by featuring his closest compatriots.

7 The Main Big Bang Theory Cast (Minus Amy)

He Names A Few Of Them Specifically

Since main Big Bang Theory cast is fair game for a guest appearance, provided they have the availability. Sheldon specifically mentions Howard and Penny as being among his friends in season 7. Given that he likes Raj more than Howard and braved his mysophobia to sing to Bernadette at a hospital, it can be assumed he includes them as well.

Amy's up for reunion, as evidenced by Mayim Bialik’s Night Court appearance, but it’s questionable whether Sheldon would call her a friend. He described her as such when they first met, but Sheldon’s precise view of the world suggests he wouldn’t see “friend” and “girlfriend” as synonymous. He asks her to sign a contract to become his girlfriend, and he tells her after she learns about Tam Nguyen (who’s out of the running since Sheldon still resented him at this point) that she can’t be his best friend and wife simultaneously. That leaves his friend count currently at five.

6 Stuart Bloom

His Friend Status Is Up For Debate

Out of everyone confirmed to appear in The Big Bang Theory spinoff, Stuart is the closest thing Sheldon has to a friend. Sheldon hates Kripke, respects Bert even less than Howard, and barely even knows Denise. Meanwhile, Stuart took Howard’s place in the main foursome while Wolowitz was in space. However, this exact storyline underscores why Sheldon might not consider Stuart one of his friends. He was happy to kick Stuart out of the group when Howard returned, and he only changed his mind when Stuart offered the gang 30% off on comic books.

But even if that leaves Sheldon’s friend count at five, Stuart still warrants mention for the sheer fact that he opens the door for many of Sheldon’s real friends to appear on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. While the inclusion of Bert and Kripke might open the door for Howard or Raj to pop up at Caltech, Stuart’s ownership of the comic book store opens up even more possibilities. And that becomes even more clear when looking at some of the other front-runners for Sheldon’s nine-point friend list.

5 Wil Wheaton

They’ve Come A Long Way Since Their Feud

James Earl Jones is likely on the list of Sheldon’s potential nine friends, but the two didn’t actually meet until four episodes after he gave that number. At the time, Sheldon’s only friend with a tie to a major sci-fi franchise was Wil Wheaton. With Sheldon’s Wil Wheaton feud officially put to rest, Sheldon specifically names Wheaton as one of his nine friends. When Sheldon doubts himself for making a scientific breakthrough almost entirely by accident, Wheaton is the one to talk him out of his depression. Their friendship isn’t perfect over the years, but it’s there.

Wil Wheaton is also one of the most likely characters to appear in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. He’s never been tied to Sheldon alone, and his ties to Star Trek make him a prime candidate to appear at any events that Stuart’s comic book shop might host. On top of that, his multiple appearances make it clear that he was one of The Big Bang Theory’s more favored guest stars. If the spinoff can possibly get him back for an episode or two, it’s very likely they’d make full use of that.

4 Professor Proton

He Was Way More Forgiving Than Bill Nye

Unfortunately, Bob Newhart’s ing makes it impossible for him to appear in the Big Bang Theory franchise ever again. But even if Newhart were alive, Professor Proton’s death on The Big Bang Theory made it virtually impossible for him to return. Newhart’s appearances after Proton’s death only occurred during Sheldon’s dreams, so it’s not feasible to bring him back without Sheldon’s return. They can’t even bring back a younger version of the character since Newhart played him on Young Sheldon as well.

Nonetheless, there’s every reason to believe Sheldon includes beloved TV scientist Arthur Jeffries among his friends. Unlike Bill Nye “The Restraining Order Guy,” Jeffries begrudgingly tolerates Sheldon’s eccentricities. And since Professor Proton doesn’t away until half a season after Sheldon gives his friendship count, there’s every reason to believe the lovable TV character would have brought Sheldon’s friend count to at least seven. Considering the fact that Sheldon pictures Professor Proton when he needs guidance in life, it seems this particular friendship was of very great importance to him. Jeffries just unfortunately saw it differently.

3 Beverly Hofstadter

They Nearly Became More Than Friends

Leonard’s mom in The Big Bang Theory is horrifically neglectful as a mother. She never seems to care about Leonard, yet Beverly Hofstadter treats Sheldon as if he’s the son she always wanted. As a respected psychologist and renowned author on the subject, she’d probably then have a lot to say about the fact that she drunkenly kisses Sheldon right in his own living room. While Sheldon wouldn’t have been ready for this kind of at the time it happened, he’d nonetheless continue to respect Beverly as an intellectual equal.

To be fair, Sheldon respects a lot of people who he wouldn’t necessarily think of as friends. But he usually responds to such people with delighted surprise. His relationship with Beverly appears to extend a bit deeper. Sheldon’s legitimately excited any time Beverly arrives and enjoys catching up with her, something that hardly describes his relationships with most people. That said, she’s unlikely to drop any news about Sheldon in the new Big Bang Theory spinoff, since it would be extremely difficult to justify her appearance without featuring either Sheldon or Leonard at the same time.

2 Stephen Hawking

The Game Is Literally Called “Words With Friends”

Stephen Hawking’s first appearance in The Big Bang Theory was in season 5, during which he met Sheldon and the two established a somewhat loose professional relationship. But it wasn’t until the next season that their relationship developed to the point they were playing Words with Friends against one another. Sheldon vocally declared them to be official friends based on the name of the game alone. Given his relationship with Professor Proton, this is enough to qualify Hawking as the ninth friend on Sheldon’s list (assuming previous inclusions and exclusions were correct), regardless of Hawking’s own feelings on the matter.

The legend unfortunately ed away, meaning it’s not possible for him to reprise his role in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. However, The Big Bang Theory spinoff can still feature Stephen Hawking without his physical appearance. One of the better The Big Bang episodes involving Hawking largely just revolved around a toy created by Howard, and a cut season 11 scene would have involved Sheldon and Amy receiving a posthumous wedding gift. Bert and Kripke’s confirmation suggests the new spinoff will maintain some focus on science, so Hawking getting at least a mention is hardly out of the picture.

1 Frank & Alicia

They Can’t Stay Under The Sink Forever

The new Big Bang Theory spinoff won’t be on CBS, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still give fan service to those who have followed the show since its network roots. And one of the easiest ways to do that is to finally show Sheldon’s mysterious friends Frank and Alicia in the flesh. Despite a common (and typically facetious) fan theory, the aforementioned Alicia probably isn’t the same Alicia who used to live in the apartment above Sheldon. He showed her a moment of respect, but he never treated her like a friend.

Moreover, she was never depicted as the type who would participate in the sort of game night Sheldon describes himself as sharing with Frank and Alicia in season 9. Because this reference occurs a full two seasons after Sheldon mentions his nine friends in The Big Bang Theory, it’s not clear or particularly likely that they’d be factored into his friend count. However, including them in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe as customers in Stuart’s shop and having them reference their friendship with Sheldon would go a long way with long-time devotees of the franchise.

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