The Big Bang Theory Contained a Really Unexpected Vampire Diaries Reference

The Big Bang Theory makes a lot of references to other pieces of pop culture, especially stuff like Game of Thrones, Star Trek and Star Wars. But going into the Season 12 premiere, we were not expecting a reference to The Vampire Diaries, a cultishly beloved supernatural soap that's outside of Big Bang's usual brand of nerdy.

Perhaps that's why the reference was made by the show's least-nerdy character, Penny (Kaley Cuoco). In the episode, she and her husband Leonard (Johnny Galecki) were settling in to watch their friend Raj (Kunal Nayyar) do a local news interview.

"I can't believe they canceled Vampire Diaries but they'll show this," Penny said.

"This is the news," Leonard answered.

"And that was a woman torn between two hunky vampires," she shot back. "What is your point?"

I think Penny would be attracted to dangerous Damon (Ian Somerhalder) but would ultimately choose good-hearted Stefan (Paul Wesley).

Penny may be disappointed that her favorite show got canceled, but there's some good news: a spin-off, Legacies, is coming to the CW in October.

Legacies: Everything We Know About The Originals Spin-Off

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS.

(Full disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS, one of the CW's parent companies.)