10 TV character shopping obsessions
By Sundi Rose
Purell is life for Sheldon — The Big Bang Theory
In the history of weirdo characters, there has never been a more clever and practical pairing of brand to person that Sheldon Cooper and his beloved Purell. The Big Bang Theory has always positioned Sheldon as fussy and persnickety, but his fear of germs and bacteria is one of the most persistent quirks of his personality.
The folks over there at Purell are pretty savvy folks, and knew a golden opportunity when they saw one. What better way to push your anti-bacterial product than to have one of America’s most recognizable and popular characters use it as well? And, unlike the iPad or Manolo business, this feels like it would totally happen. It’s not a stretch for me to believe this character walks around with a bottle of Purell in his pocket, and it’s absolutely believable to me to to imagine him relying on it for security and reassurance.
As smart as Sheldon is, he’s also a bit of a basket case, and his constant fear of communicable diseases is both a point of concern and delight for fans. While we’re worried if he’s finally going to be okay, we are also laughing at his ridiculous nature. Purell is a familiar brand that keeps fans feeling connected to him, as well. Everybody has Purell laying around, and we all have a little Sheldon in us.
Next: 25 of the best family feuds on TV
That wraps up the 10 best shopping obsessions on TV — what’s your favorite?