Amy Vs. Bernadette: Who Is Penny’s Best Friend On The The Big Bang Theory?

Penny spent most of The Bing Bang Theory‘s first three seasons as the only girl among the group of guys. However, once Bernadette and Amy came into the picture, the dynamic changed. The show then put the girls together as much as possible, and the incredible chemistry between Kaley Cuoco, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik made the group – known as Penny’s Posse – one of Big Bang‘s best parts.

It’s clear that Penny is Bernadette and Amy’s best friend individually, but who among the two scientists is her best pal? There’s an argument for both girls, but in the end, only one can call herself Penny’s closest friend.

10 Bernadette: She Came First

Bernadette’s first appearance is in the fifth episode of season 3, “The Creepy Candy Coating Corollary.” She is one of Penny’s co-workers who she sets up with Howard. Bernadette was a very different character back then, but she slowly grows into her sweet yet scary self.

Bernadette and Amy spend a considerable amount of time together before Amy enters the picture at the end of the season. And before Amy makes her way into Penny’s life, Bernadette certainly is Penny’s best, and perhaps only, female friend.

9 Amy: Penny Is Like A Mentor To Her

When Amy debuts in the show, she’s very much like the female version of Sheldon. She’s uptight, rude, and socially awkward. However, as she begins to spend more time with Penny, her quirks become less Sheldon-y, although she remains inept at social occasions.

Throughout the series, Penny acts as a mentor of sorts to Amy. For example, Penny is the one who introduces Amy to wine and bars. She also pierces Amy’s ears, takes her to get her first bikini wax, and shows her movies like Grease for the first time. And through all these moments, Penny and Amy were seen to grow closer.

8 Bernadette: She Isn’t As Intense As Amy

As sweet and loyal as Amy can be, her obsession with Penny can also be quite creepy. Bernadette, on the other hand, has a healthier relationship with Penny. The two enjoy each other’s company and always provide support and guidance while having clearly established boundaries.

Penny knows that Bernadette won’t get offended if she happens to get excluded from events every once in a while. She also knows that Bernadette will be okay not being her Maid of Honor and makes her the minister instead.

7 Amy: She’s Endearing (In Her Own Way)

Amy also goes through substantial changes over her time on the show. She quickly abandons the Sheldon-like personality to become her own person, a less-robotic albeit far more intense woman, who is just curious about everything she missed while growing up.

A big part of this is befriending Penny. Amy admires Penny to the point of fanatism, although this also mellows as the show goes on. Still, and despite her more awkward tendencies, Amy cares for Penny and Bernadette and proves to be a good and dependable friend.

6 Bernadette: She Has More Things In Common With Penny

In the beginning, Bernadette and Penny share numerous hobbies. The two enjoy traditionally girly things like shopping, doing their nails, going out, and having “girl talk.” As the show goes on, they remain involved and even begin working together, further highlighting their similarities.

Amy tries her best to fit in with them and eventually succeeds. However, certain things come more naturally to Bernadette, which is why Penny often seeks her advice about relationships or doubts about her career. In other words, Penny and Bernadette have a less complicated dynamic.

5 Amy: She Is Devoted To Penny

As many fans know, Amy’s devotion to Penny can come off as creepy and inappropriate. In the beginning, she often makes disturbing comments about how close they are, and while she never means to insult her friends, Penny and Bernadette almost always end up uncomfortable.

Amy continuously makes shameless compliments to Penny, some of which end up having the opposite effect. Still, and despite her obsessive behavior, Amy’s feelings for Penny are honest, and her enthusiasm is understandable, and can be, at times, even endearing.

4 Bernadette: She Works With Penny

In season 8, Penny gets a job as a pharmaceutical sales rep for Bernadette’s company. In fact, it’s Bernie who arranges the interview, and Penny gets the job because the interviewer is too scared of Bernie. However, Penny proves to be a talented sales rep, and although she initially hates it, she eventually grows to appreciate and like it.

In season 12, Bernadette becomes Penny’s boss, but their relationship doesn’t change. If anything, it brings them closer together when Bernadette reveals she has a high opinion of Penny’s professional skills. The two do have their issues due to Bernie’s overbearing personality, but they never allow them to get in the way of their friendship.

3 Amy: Penny Spends More Personal Time With Her

Even though Penny spends a lot of time at work with Bernie, she spends most of her free time with Amy. The two are even neighbors, meaning they almost always have dinner together. They also spend their weekends together, and with their respective husbands being best friends, all four go on outings together.

In season 6, the four have a gaming night together, which the girls win with little problem. In season  9, the two couples go to a cabin together. Penny’s bond with Amy only strengthens over the years, and even though they don’t have a lot in common, they complement each other quite nicely.

2 Bernadette: They’ll Bond Over Their Children

When Bernadette finds out she’s pregnant with her second child, she tries to convince Penny and Leonard to have a child of their own, so that they can go through the experience with her. They, of course, refuse, but the scene perfectly illustrates how the gang will react to Penny’s pregnancy.

Fans don’t get to see this because Penny doesn’t get pregnant until the series finale, but it’s easy to see that she will likely lean on Bernadette for help and guidance. Amy also eventually gets pregnant, but it’s not clear when this happens. Alas, it’s safe to say Penny and Bernadette’s children will spend a good deal of time together, and their mothers will become even closer as a result.

1 Amy: Penny Says It Out Loud

In season 11, when Amy has to decide who her Maid of Honor will be, she comes close to choosing Bernadette. However, Penny demands the role, claiming to be Amy’s best friend, and Amy gleefully agrees.

Penny has a hard time admitting her feelings, but even she acknowledges Amy is her best friend. The two go through a lot together and do a great deal of maturing and growing. Penny helps Amy come out of her shell, and the two become better people as a result. And while Bernadette has a special place in Penny’s heart, Amy’s might be a tad more meaningful.

About The Author

David Caballero
(803 Articles Published)

David is a twenty-eight-year-old Mexican writer and reader. Having studied Marketing in school, he spent three years working a nine-to-five desk job before deciding to pursue a writing career. He now works as a Senior Writer in ScreenRant and does some more freelancing job, talking about the entertainment business he so loves. Currently, he’s also writing his second novel while actively working to get his first one published.

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