Big Bang Theorys Sheldon Straight, Gay or Other

How best to describe the sexual orientation of Sheldon Cooper, the resident brainiac of TheBig Bang Theory? Executive producer Chuck Lorre and actor Jim Parsons tell Entertainment Weekly that "other" may be the right category.

"His entire focus is on the work that he's doing -- theoretical physics," said Lorre. "'Alternate reality' is another way of looking at it. Characters like Sheldon are drawn to an alternate reality that might be more comforting than the ones they live in. And why modify that? Why not let the character be that unique?"

According to Entertainment Weekly, Lorre said it was unlikely that questions about Sheldon's sexual orientation would ever be resolved.

"Why would we have to [brand him ever] if the character is so thoroughly focused on his work?" he argues. "If touching other human beings of any gender is irrelevant to him, why label the thing? Why can't there be a third gender -- male, female and Sheldon?"

Jim Parsons, who plays the character, agrees, sort of.

"People want to see him cared for in a way that those of us a little more average have been able to experience through love," said Parsons. "But I also [understand] Chuck's point that all Sheldon really wants is a Nobel Prize. That's the warm embrace that he longs for."