Wishful Thinking...

[Trust No One]

I agree with the workplace situations as the basis of this show. It could be done and still incorporate all the characters (including Penny even though she isn't an academic) and situations from the earlier seasons. A Howard/Raj roommate or neighbor situation could have worked too. That formula has worked on other shows, no problem.

From the Promo pictures in the S8 thread, there are some scenes where the group is at the Angels baseball field. An episode like that could write itself. Frankly, I wished they had portrayed Sheldon as more athletically inclined in some way. I liked how everyone was surprised that Sheldon had football knowledge. Maybe it would bring Queen Penelope out of retirement; we need more Queen P.

I don't know if I'd had watch this show if the characters were any younger than what I assume Penny was in the beginning. (how big is the age gap between the characters anyways? I never paid attention to exact ages, if they are even canon.) It never occurred to me that any of the characters need to settle down. I figured long-term relationships, marriage and babies were not on the ingredient list for this show and that's with the Lenny debacle.

I also never really paid attention to the age gap queen. As much as I love Ship, I love good Ship and Ship that makes sense. Bad Ships do nothing for me. I never saw this show as a heavy Ship show. Just does not work well IMO.