The Big Bang Theory season 2

After the Writers Guild of America strike ended in February 2008, the series was picked up for a second season, airing in the 2008–09 television season. == Cast ==

Main cast • Johnny Galecki as Dr. Leonard Hofstadter • Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper • Kaley Cuoco as Penny • Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz • Kunal Nayyar as Dr. Rajesh "Raj" Koothrappali • Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle Recurring cast • Carol Ann Susi as Mrs. Wolowitz • Mark Harelik as Dr. Eric Gablehauser • Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali • Alice Amter as Mrs. Koothrappali • John Ross Bowie as Dr. Barry Kripke • Sara Rue as Dr. Stephanie Barnett • Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter • Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom • Brian Patrick Wade as Kurt Guest cast • Travis Schuldt as Eric • Charlie Sheen as himself • Octavia Spencer as DMV employee • Riki Lindhome as Ramona Nowitzki • Lio Tipton as herself • Emily Happe as Kathy O'Brien • Samantha Potter as herself • Michael Trucco as Dr. David Underhill • Summer Glau as herself • George Smoot as himself • Valerie Azlynn as Alicia • Jodi Lyn O'Keefe as Mikayla == Episodes ==

{{Episode table == Reception ==

Compared to season one, the second season received critical acclaim. Jessica Paff of Screener wrote that "if they can keep the funny coming, I will keep watching", Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly praised the improvements to the character of Sheldon Cooper, writing that "Prickly Sheldon has become a character to love, and [actor Jim] Parsons is doing something rare on network TV: making intellectualism admirable, even heroic", and James Chamberlin of IGN wrote that "Jim Parsons is a riot and is reason enough to tune in each week." == Notes ==