Five Things We Want from The Big Bang Theory Season 8

The Big Bang Theory is a ratings juggernaut for CBS. The show averages approximately 20 million viewers an episode, which blows away nearly everything else on television. What started out as a show about four nerds making nerdy jokes and playing video games with a hot chick across the hall has grown beyond that into a show balanced with female characters and more emotionally mature leads.

The show has been such a stalwart for The Eye that the network renewed it for three more seasons, which means we'll be talking about Season 10 of The Big Bang Theory in 2017. But let's stick with Season 8 for now and talk about the five things we want from the sitcom in 2014-15.

1) More good Leonard and Penny/Less bad Leonard and Penny.

When this relationship is written properly, these two characters can be mature, sweet and genuinely loving. When written poorly, fans want them off the screen as quickly as possible.

After an extremely slow burn, Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) finally got engaged last season. This is a huge step for them, and the show should now treat them with the proper respect by giving them storylines worthy of that kind of investment. No more stupid squabbles about the relationship moving too fast. If they're going to fight, make it mean something, like how Leonard wasn't totally supportive of Penny's acting career but then came around to be on her side.

And enough jokes about Penny being into sports and Leonard acting like a woman. We get it.

2) Keep Raj on this path.

For years, the show treated Raj (Kunal Nayyar) as its whipping boy. Whenever it needed someone to act effeminate or act awkwardly at the worst possible time, Raj would enter. The show even flirted with turning Raj into a gay man, which actually would have been an interesting and even brave avenue to take. But instead, his plots were unfunny and borderline offensive.

But then Laura Spencer came on the show as Emily and actually gave Raj a real chance at love, a refreshing change from his usual bungling. So let's keep Raj on this path and actually let him be happy and do things right for a change.

3) Bring back Bob Newhart!

Amazingly, Newhart had never won an Emmy until his guest-starring role as Professor Proton on The Big Bang Theory. Sadly, the show killed off the character, and showrunner Steve Molaro explained why at the show's Comic-Con panel on Friday.

"The Big Bang Theory at the time had been nominated for three Emmy Awards and hadn't won any, and Bob Newhart came on the show one time and got one," he explained, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I thought to myself, 'We have to kill this guy!'"

Molaro added Newhart could return, much like he did in Sheldon's (Jim Parsons) dream in Season 7 as Obi-Wan from Star Wars.

4) Keep advancing Sheldon and Amy's relationship.

It can be frustrating to watch Sheldon and Amy (Mayim Bialik) inch along at a snail's pace in their relationship, but it fits the Sheldon character. In fact, he freaked out at how much his life was changing in the Season 7 finale and bolted for parts unknown. When he inevitably returns, it'll be important for the show to keep the balance by progressing their relationship without holding it back too much or pushing it ahead full steam.

The two have already kissed, so maybe make that a more frequent occurrence?

5) More guest stars!

The show has its own pool of recurring characters from which to draw, like Stuart the comic book storeowner (well, former owner), but bringing in stars like James Earl Jones and Carrie Fisher helped add some spice to the show. Hopefully we'll see a few more in Season 8.

Bonus: Tell us Penny's last name!

Seriously, Penny and Leonard are ENGAGED. There's no way he's never uttered her last name. And we might as well make it something funny just because the reveal has taken so long.

Do you agree with our list? What would you like to see in Season 8 of The Big Bang Theory? Let us know in the comments below.