Jim Parsons Interview for 'The Big Bang Theory'

Jim Parsons Q&A

September 25 -- Jim Parsons isn't a neurotic, socially inept, brilliant physicist, but he's thrilled to be playing one on TV.

The adorably lanky actor's role as Sheldon Cooper on CBS' 'The Big Bang Theory' (season 2 premieres Mon., Sept. 22, 8PM ET) has inadvertently turned the star into a sex symbol for the geek-loving set.

Parsons talked to AOL TV about what to expect this season, his quirkiest habit, neighborly love and sharing show creator Chuck Lorre with that other mega-hit 'Two and a Half Men.' -- By Sandy Deane

1. Why is 'Big Bang Theory' such a hit?

People enjoy watching these characters relate to each other. And it sounds so cliché, but there's something identifiable about them, and this goes right in line with the question that always comes up, "Why is the geek popular right now?" I don't know if the geek is overly popular right now, but the person that I guess that is describing has a very identifiable social weakness; a chink in the armor. They have empathy for somebody who feels awkward socially, maybe, or [is] sticking their foot in their mouth without even knowing it half the time.

2. Do you identify with Sheldon's social awkwardness and neuroses?

Without a doubt. Sheldon makes me feel more sane because he's so over the top. But at the same time, I completely get it. I'm a creature of habit, certainly -- maybe more so than others. But one of my favorite things about Sheldon is that the writers have given him the opportunity to say so many things that other people would never get away with because they have the social commonsense and the social niceties to keep their mouths shut.

3. What's your neurosis; one weird thing that people might not know about you?

Well, the most disturbingly odd thing people wouldn't know about me is -- and what's funny is I've dealt with it before in the show -- about the sanitization of hands. I have thoroughness in washing my hands sometimes where I really have to tell myself: "You're not about to perform surgery." That's definitely got a touch of the OCD to it. It's certainly given me something to work with as far as dealing with Sheldon.

4. Sheldon has pretty challenging dialogue. Do you understand everything that you're saying?

No, no, no, no, heavens no. I typically understand how to pronounce it, obviously. But I try and get as much of the basic concept down as I can. The AD on the show asked me yesterday -- in this episode, I'm having to finish a theorem on a white board and he's like "Do you know what that means at all?" And I said "Well, no." I can't personally tell you if this theory I'm writing on this white board is completely right. They say it is.

5. Will Sheldon finally get a love interest?

I recently read something somewhere that said Sheldon will have a groupie that follows him around, that thinks he walks on water, but he's the only one who can't see it. So I don't know if this leads to love for Sheldon. I find that doubtful. I don't know how he's gonna deal with that.

6. Will Penny and Leonard really make a go of their relationship this season?

Penny and Leonard I don't think will ever find success, no. I know Sheldon thinks it's a doomed situation. Chuck [Lorre] is also my clue for this, who said it's a comedy, this can't work out well. And I think that's how it's panned out so far.

7. The whole cast has great chemistry. Was that instant?

It was a little bit instant. You know, I can take no credit at all for any good chemistry that comes between Johnny and me. While I'm sure it's grown and enhanced as we've worked more together, that was from the very first time we read together. But as far as the whole cast goes, it really has been just such a positive melding of personalities from the very beginning. There's a wonderful professionalism about the cast in general.

8. So, no Shannen Doherty/Jennie Garth behind-the-scenes tension?

There's no drama, no. And God willing -- I'm knocking on wood as we speak -- hopefully we can make it through this season and more to come without any of that. I would be very surprised to hear of any sort of trouble in that area.

9. Do you guys hang out off set?

We do a good deal, actually. You know, I would say that, and I love my whole cast, but the person I hang out with the very, very most is Simon [Helberg]. He's a very, very sweet, very funny man, and he's really nice to be around.