10-01-2014, 11:22 AM
I think they truly believe that the "softening" of Sheldon implies growth as a character when it actually means that they don't have to work very hard on getting him. And the continuing awards and accolades for Parsons prove to them that the audience by and large can't tell the difference. And while Parsons may be a wonderful chap he has shown no pride of ownership in his creation, allowing Sheldon to become Amy's straight man (pun intended).