MarieBell90 (Level 34)

 Penny won’t be the only funny blonde regular on The Big Bang Theory this year, with Melissa Rauch having been promoted in the series fourth season.

Confirmed by Ausiello, though first seen in the show’s titles two episodes ago, Rauch is now a series regular playing Bernadette, the adorably ditzy on-off girlfriend of Howard Wolowitz. She will be a welcome female touch during Kaley Cuoco’s (Penny) absence while she recuperates after breaking a leg in an accident.

Rauch is also known for playing Summer, Hoyt Fortenberry’s girlfriend, in season 3 of  True Blood and Tina in the short-lived US remake of Kath & Kim.

But this isn’t the first time a second female character has been added to the line up. Sara Gilbert was made a series regular in season 2, playing Leslie Winkle, Leonard’s friend-with-benefits, but was demoted later that same season. Hopefully Rauch will fare better.

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