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Oh, You Didn't Know

Two Of The Biggest TV Trivia Questions Answered.

By Jason Ray Morton Published 3 years ago 4 min read
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We've all been treated to some of the biggest names in entertainment history in the form of television series we fell absolutely in love with. One of those series, for myself at least, was The Big Bang Theory. My second biggest television addiction, until it ended after its tenth season, was, of course, Friends. Let's face the facts, the networks found a formula that works. There's no denying that the twenties to mid-thirties formula of five to six young and attractive people who are tight and have chemistry with one another works. It's been working now since the middle of the 1990s.

As much as the formula works there simply no flawless television series. These shows have heart, they have romance, they have laughs, they have pain, and even suffering. They also have one key ingredient in anything that is imperfect. Or, perhaps, they're perfectly done in a way that keeps us talking about the show for years and years to come. Trivia questions are made from the types of questions that don't get adequately answered by these timeless favorites. So, as the Friends Reunion Special is playing on HBO Max, let's take a look at the question of unanswered questions, starting out with Big Bang Theory and ending with the most-watched sitcom in history, Friends.

By Ben on Unsplash

Arguably one of the funniest and most endearing shows of the past twenty years the Big Bang Theory brought together four "nerds" and we followed their adventures from single, nerdy, lonely guys that played video games in their free time to their greatest successes. Leonard, Howard, Sheldon, and Rajesh are the quintessential nerds of the story who in the end see their dreams come true, for the most part.

Sheldon becomes a winner of the Nobel prize in science. Sure, he doesn't do it alone. In enters his endearing wife, Dr. Amy Farafowler, a noted neurobiologist. So, when Sheldon wins his long-sought-after award for scientific discovery as a physicist alongside a neurobiologist it's a little surprising even to him if we are to believe the character had any consistency. But, the robotic Sheldon character of season one goes through several changes as he becomes a more mature "human" much to his dismay and his desire to be a Vulcan.

Raj discovers a star even though he ends the series as single and almost as awkward around women as he started, only halfway through the series learning to speak to women due to his pathological shyness. Howard becomes an astronaut and goes to the international space station, marries the adorable Burnadette, and has a family of his own after growing up carrying the pain of a father that walked out on him. Then there's Leonard.

Leonard, the nearsighted, short, and flatulent when he eats dairy products, theoretical physicist, finally lands the girl of his dreams. By all accounts, Leonard is the coolest of the nerds, a tough task after living with Sheldon. What about that girl?

Kaley Cuoco plays Penny. While she eventually becomes Penny Hoffsteder, the question of what was her last name has plagued fans for years. Going back through episodes it's nearly a certainty that the writers never put her last name in the show. At least, it's never mentioned in the dialogue as far as anyone can tell.

Earlier this year it was found on a shipping package in an episode in season two. Penny, the sexy, beautiful, would-be actress, from across the hall was not like Cher or one of those other one-named stars. Her name was Penny Teller the entire time. It's been suggested that her name was an homage to magicians and entertains Penn and Teller, but as of yet, the creators have remained mum on the question.

What was Chandler Bings' Job

If you weren't a fan of the series then, well quite frankly, hit the back button on your browser or the x in the right-hand corner and go back and watch it again. What's wrong with you? Are you dead inside? Friends has been watched about a hundred billion times and by now everyone should know the show by heart. Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross were there for us when we needed a laugh and needed it the most. There was humor, romance, and a never-ending list of guest stars that included the likes of Ben Stiller, Reese Witherspoon, Danny Devito, Tom Selleck, Brad Pit, and even Julia Roberts just to name a few.

Throughout the series, one question remained unexplained much to our benefit as they joked about it, often making fun of poor Chandler. What was his job? We knew that Monica was a Chef, Ross an Anthropologist, Joey an Actor, Phoebe a musician and gig worker, Rachel a fashionista working at Ralph Lauren but what, was Chandler's job?

“Oh, oh, oh! He’s a transpons—a transponster!”

Jennifer Anniston as Rachel Green

Chandler worked in statistical analysis and data reconfiguration. Looking those terms up and applying them to the workforce, Chandler was most likely an analyst with a degree in accounting. He barely worked and continued to climb the corporate ladder, much the way we mortals tend to see the successful anyway.

Those are two of the biggest and most popular TV trivia questions answered for you to use on your friends or stump people at bar trivia with. Have fun with them.

Please feel free to check out my collection of articles and stories as there's something there for almost everybody. Leaving a heart below will tell me you enjoyed this story.

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About the Creator

Jason Ray Morton

I have always enjoyed writing and exploring new ideas, new beliefs, and the dreams that rattle around inside my head. I have enjoyed the current state of science, human progress, fantasy and existence and write about them when I can.

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