The Toast Derivation
🎞️ S4 E17 🤔 Caution

The Big Bang Theory

Is The Big Bang Theory S4 E17 OK for kids?

The Toast Derivation

Sheldon struggles to cope when he realizes it's actually Leonard who is the center of their social group.

📺 Where to watch

Netflix, HBO or Disney+ — catalogs differ by country.

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🛒 Where to buy

Digital seasons or a box set to keep.

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Content guide

👊 Violence
💋 Sex
🙊 Language
⭐ Overall

Preview first — about 10+

The Big Bang Theory S4 E17, “The Toast Derivation”, scores 3/5 for violence, 2/5 for sex and 2/5 for language, for an overall kid-rating of 3/5 — Preview first — about 10+. Sheldon struggles to cope when he realizes it's actually Leonard who is the center of their social group.

Across the episode we counted 13 flagged moments in 4 themes: Sex & hookups (1); Nudity & bodies (1); Violence & injury (6); Alcohol & drugs (5). Every moment below is either a direct quote from the episode transcript or a short description of what happens on screen, so you can decide before you press play.

Parents need to know

Age 10+

Violence, sex talk, drinking in live-action sitcom.

Parents need to know that The Big Bang Theory S4 E17, "The Toast Derivation", is a live-action sitcom episode. The series is known for more innuendo than the science jokes suggest, but rarely explicit. Sits in the gray area mainly on violence & injury (moderate, in dialogue). Violence includes Sheldon says, "I can’t do that. What if he serves haggis and blood pudding?". Sexual content is mild but includes Penny says, "Okay, let’s go through this one more time. Just because Leonard has a new girlfriend…"; Barry says, "Tewwific. Go ahead, Zack. Naked dwunk girl, fwee-balling, continue". Some mild language appears in the dialogue. Characters drink or talk about alcohol and drugs — Priya says, "Do you want a margarita, Sheldon?". Every flagged moment below is a direct quote from the transcript or a short description of what happens on screen.

Watch for — every moment, theme by theme

Sex & hookups 1 moment

How Sex & hookups shows up in The Big Bang Theory S4 E17:

  • Caution
    Penny Okay, let’s go through this one more time. Just because Leonard has a new girlfriend does not mean I need to go out and hook up with some guy.

Nudity & bodies 1 moment

How Nudity & bodies shows up in The Big Bang Theory S4 E17:

  • Mild
    Barry Tewwific. Go ahead, Zack. Naked dwunk girl, fwee-balling, continue.

Violence & injury 6 moments

How Violence & injury shows up in The Big Bang Theory S4 E17:

  • Caution
    Sheldon I can’t do that. What if he serves haggis and blood pudding?
  • Caution
    Sheldon But what if he does? I’ll be obliged to dine on liver and lungs stuffed in a sheep’s stomach. And frankly, blood pudding is essentially the same thing. I don’t know why he’s serving both.
  • Mild
    Amy She used to be much more fun, until Leonard punched her in the heart.
  • Mild
    Howard Raj, did you ever tell your sister about the time Sheldon got punched by Bill Gates?
  • Mild
    Leonard Oh, the ancient Romans put spiced toast in their punch bowls.
  • Mild
    Priya Actually, I do. I believe the Romans used to put spiced toast in their punch bowls.

Alcohol & drugs 5 moments

How Alcohol & drugs shows up in The Big Bang Theory S4 E17:

  • Mild
    Priya Do you want a margarita, Sheldon?
  • Mild
    Sheldon A margarita? Where are we? What is happening?
  • Mild
    Zack Next thing I know, this beautiful chick shows up, drunk out of her skull, wants to get in with me.
  • Mild
    Stuart Can you please get back to the drunk girl? I’d like something to think about in the shower.
  • Mild
    Zack Great, I’ll make a beer run.

What to watch in The Big Bang Theory · Season 4 guide

Watch With The Kids · Your kids — your rules! · Informal parent guidance, not an official rating.