- After Leonard tries to help Penny following a failed role on a TV show, she makes an important decision. Meanwhile, Raj and Stuart try to practice their social skills, and Sheldon navigates the intricacies of being funny.
- An excited Penny gets a small part on the latest episode of NCIS (2003). She not only tells everyone she knows about it, but she believes this part is her big break. The gang decide to watch the show along with her. But Penny and her friends' excited anticipation turns to disappointment when she sees that her one and only scene was cut. Trying to be the supportive boyfriend, Leonard may inadvertently destroy his and Penny's relationship instead. Meanwhile, Raj and Stuart have come to the conclusion that they don't know how to talk to pretty girls. So they decide to go to the mall to practice by talking to not so pretty girls. And Sheldon, who believes he is funny, tries to discover the science behind comedy.—Huggo
- Amy and the guys are having dinner at Leonard and Sheldon's apartment while all the guys are texting on their cell phones. Penny announces that she got an acting part on NCIS. Leonard and Amy congratulate her. Penny is not sure of the TV show's title, but she does get to flirt with Mark Harmon.
At the Cheesecake Factory, Raj is discussing how men who have dogs with them have better chances with women. Raj was letting Cinnamon eat peanut butter off his tongue. Sheldon tries to tell a joke and no one gets it. Penny tells everyone that her show is on tomorrow night and the party is on her though the food is stolen from The Cheesecake Factory. Sheldon claims that if Howard's mother comes, they should serve marbles, since that is what they eat in the game "Hungry Hungry Hippos". No one laughs.
Later walking up the stairs, Sheldon wants to know if he is funny. Leonard does not find him humorous. Sheldon is going to develop a unified theory of comedy to make anyone laugh at any time.
Howard and Bernadette are bringing Raj and Stuart to watch Penny's debut. Bernadette thought he would be bringing a date and he ended up with Stuart. Raj tried to talk to a cute girl who took an interest in Cinnamon, but he panicked and asked to sniff her butt. Howard suggests that he try to talk to regular people if beautiful women intimate him. Howard tells him to try talking to anybody at the mall while Bernadette thinks he should keep dating Stuart.
In Apartment 4A, the gang is watching NCIS as again Leonard tells Penny how proud he is of her. Penny turns the TV up as her diner scene comes up, but it was cut. Leonard and the others also look disappointed. Penny excuses herself and leaves.
In Penny's place, she is telling her Dad that her part wasn't cut because she was too pretty. All of Penny's relatives were watching in Omaha. Her brother was given a day pass out of drug rehabilitation, but disappeared with their six foot long sandwich. Leonard feels that just getting the part was a big accomplishment. It was supposed to give her visibility and others would see it leading to more acting parts. Leonard adds that three lines wouldn't be that big a deal. Penny doesn't think that he believes in her. She wants to know if Leonard thinks that she has what it takes to be an actress. When asked to be completely honest, Leonard didn't think so. Leonard informs her that the odds of becoming a successful actress are a million to one. Penny sarcastically thanks him and storms into her bedroom.
Amy is making tea while Sheldon is researching the topic of comedy. He reads that the element of surprise is a key component of some comedy. He shouts BRAIN LESION!" at Amy and scares her. He then drops his pants and she does find that funny.
Stuart and Raj are in the mall food court. They agree to start with talking to someone other than attractive women to start with, but even when the next person they spot is an elderly woman with a walker, they have to rule her out.
Sheldon is reading words to Amy, asking her which are funnier. Kumquat or ointment as an example. Sheldon says that they have to go through the whole dictionary.
Penny is watching television. Leonard comes in and apologizes for his comments earlier and says that he thinks she should be one of the successful actresses. He brings her an acting audition, a chance for anyone to submit a video for a part in the next "Star Wars" movie. Penny says that it's just a public relations stunt. He knows it's a long shot, but when Luke Skywalker had one shot to destroy the death star...Leonard quits because he knows that Penny doesn't like his analogy.
Raj and Stuart are eating a meal. They spot a woman who is speed walking and she disappears. Stuart suggests talking to the mannequins in the nearby department store; however, Raj says that they just look stuck up. Then Raj insists that they will talk to the next person who walks by, but nobody does.
Amy greets Howard and Bernadette at the Cheesecake Factory alone. Sheldon is home working on his comedy project. Amy finds the experience exhausting. How many knock-knock jokes can she stand that starts with Sheldon's "Knock-knock-knock, Amy...knock-knock-knock, Amy...knock-knock-knock, Amy". Bernadette finds it easier to just fake a laugh. Howard makes a minor quip after she laughs and laughs and laughs (finally pounding the table) at and then suddenly stops. Howard then claims to fake his orgasms.
Penny apologizes for calling his Star Wars suggestion idiotic. Leonard says that she didn't, then she quips that she probably meant to. She has been in Los Angeles for ten years and has nothing to show for it. Leonard reminds her that she does have him. Penny says that he is right and she tells Leonard that they should get married. She gets down on one knee and asks him formally and Leonard replies "Uuhhh...". Penny exaggeratedly asks him if he seriously just said "UUHHHNGHHH?!!". Penny withdraws the proposal.
Raj and Stuart are in the mall as it is getting ready to close. They see two pathetic guys on a bench and it's them in a mirror. A security guard comes over to tell them that they're closing. Raj asks him if he likes his job and he tells them that it's all right.
Later, Leonard can't sleep. Sheldon asks him if he wants to talk about it. Leonard tells him that Penny proposed and he didn't say yes. Sheldon asks him if he thinks his relationship with Penny is over. Leonard is not sure.
Howard is in his bedroom filming his Star Wars audition video starring Howard Joel Wolowitz, a real life astronaut. He can feel Darth Vader's presence on the moon. Bernadette yells at him to replace the toilet paper. Howard tells her that he is in the middle of something. So is Bernadette.
Title reference: Leonard and Penny's relationship is thrown into jeopardy when he hesitates to answer Penny's drunken proposal.
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