I’m counting catwomen: SZA’s Catwoman!

It’s funny how a single moment can spark a wave of nostalgia, connecting two seemingly unrelated pieces of pop culture in your mind. That’s exactly what happened to me when I recently watched the new State Farm commercial featuring SZA as Catwoman. The sleek, modern take on the iconic Batman villain instantly reminded me of a hilarious scene from The Big Bang Theory—specifically, the Season 2 premiere episode, “The Bad Fish Paradigm,” where Sheldon Cooper, in his classic neurotic fashion, declares, “I’m trying, I’m counting Catwomen.” As a longtime fan of both the Batman mythos and The Big Bang Theory, this unexpected connection sent me down a rabbit hole of reflection, linking SZA’s purr-fect portrayal to Sheldon’s quirky obsession with ranking Catwoman actresses.

I’m counting catwomen: Big Bang Theory!

Let’s set the stage. The State Farm commercial, titled “Batman vs. Bateman,” dropped earlier this month on March 12, 2025, and it’s a star-studded affair. Jason Bateman plays a bumbling “Bate-man,” a less-than-heroic stand-in for the real Batman (voiced by Will Arnett), while SZA steps into the role of Catwoman with a confident, feline energy. She’s seen pulling off a heist, sneering at Bateman before kicking him over and making off with stolen jewels. The ad also features Kai Cenat as a Gotham citizen in peril and Jordan Howlett as Commissioner Gordon, with cameos from classic Batman villains like the Joker, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy. It’s a high-budget, humorous take on the idea that not all insurance is created equal—just as Bateman isn’t Batman, other insurance companies aren’t State Farm. SZA’s Catwoman is a standout, embodying the character’s signature mix of allure and danger in a sleek black catsuit, perfectly capturing the essence of the cat burglar we’ve come to love in the Batman universe.

Watching SZA slink through Gotham City, I couldn’t help but think back to that Big Bang Theory episode from 2008. In “The Bad Fish Paradigm,” Sheldon, played by the inimitable Jim Parsons, is staying over at Howard Wolowitz’s house because he’s struggling to keep a secret Penny shared with him about her insecurities. As Sheldon tries to sleep on an air mattress in Howard’s room, he’s unnerved by a Halle Berry poster on the ceiling—specifically, her portrayal of Catwoman from the 2004 film.

“Accept it, child, you spent a lifetime caged! By accepting who you are, all of who you are, you can be free, and freedom is power!“

I’m counting catwomen: Halle Berry’s Catwoman!

This prompts Sheldon to start rambling about his ranking of Catwoman actresses. “That poster of Halle Berry is a little unnerving,” he says, to which Howard, exasperated, replies, “So don’t look at it.” But Sheldon can’t help himself. “She’s like my fourth favorite Catwoman,” he muses, before listing his top picks: Julie Newmar, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eartha Kitt, and then Halle Berry. He quickly corrects himself, remembering Lee Meriwether, which bumps Halle Berry to fifth place. Howard, desperate for sleep, begs Sheldon to stop, but Sheldon quips, “I’m trying, I’m counting Catwomen,” before pivoting to ranking his favorite X-Men characters, much to Howard’s frustration.

I’m counting catwomen: Julie Newmar’s Catwoman!

That scene has always stuck with me because it’s such a perfect encapsulation of Sheldon’s character—his obsessive need to categorize, his encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, and his complete obliviousness to social cues. It’s also a love letter to fans of the Batman mythos, acknowledging the legacy of Catwoman across different eras of media. Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, and Lee Meriwether all played the character in the 1960s Batman TV series, each bringing their own flair to the role. Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic performance in 1992’s Batman Returns set a new standard for the character, blending vulnerability with ferocity.

I’m counting catwomen: Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman!

Halle Berry’s 2004 Catwoman film, while critically panned, still holds a certain campy charm for some fans (though clearly not for Sheldon). Since Sheldon’s list in 2008, we’ve also seen Anne Hathaway take on the role in 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises, where she portrayed Selina Kyle with a grounded, pragmatic edge, balancing charm and cunning as a master thief. More recently, Zoë Kravitz brought a raw, street-smart intensity to the character in 2022’s The Batman, her chemistry with Robert Pattinson’s Batman adding a new layer of emotional depth to Catwoman’s story. If Sheldon were to revisit his rankings today, I imagine he’d have a lot to say about Hathaway’s sleek, tactical approach and Kravitz’s gritty, modern take—though knowing him, he’d probably still place Julie Newmar at the top.

I’m counting catwomen: Eartha Kitt’s Catwoman!

While diving deeper into the Batman universe after seeing SZA’s Catwoman, I stumbled upon a surprising discovery that left me utterly shocked: the Justice League animated series from the early 2000s featured a character named Catman. In the episode “Legends” from Season 1, which aired in 2002, the Justice League encounters the Justice Guild of America, a team of Golden Age-inspired heroes. Among them is Catman, a feline-themed hero whose real name is Thomas Blake, complete with a cat-like costume and a penchant for cat-themed gadgets.

I’m counting catwomen: Justice Leagues – Catman!

I couldn’t believe I’d missed this obscure character all these years! Unlike Catwoman, who’s a morally complex antihero, Catman in the animated series is a straightforward hero, albeit one who doesn’t get much screen time. The revelation made me chuckle, imagining Sheldon adding Catman to his mental catalog—though I’m sure he’d have a few choice words about the character’s lack of depth compared to his beloved Catwomen.

I’m counting catwomen: Lee Meriwether’s Catwoman!

Seeing SZA as Catwoman in the State Farm ad made me wonder where she’d rank on Sheldon’s list. Her portrayal is brief but memorable, capturing the character’s sly confidence and physical prowess. She’s not just a celebrity cameo—she embodies Catwoman in a way that feels true to the character’s roots, even in the context of a humorous insurance ad. If Sheldon were to update his list in 2025, I’d like to think SZA might crack the top five, though knowing his rigid criteria, he’d probably argue that a commercial appearance doesn’t count as a “canonical” Catwoman portrayal. Still, it’s fun to imagine him debating the merits of SZA’s performance with the same intensity he applies to his laundry-folding techniques.

I’m counting catwomen: Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman!

The connection between these two moments also highlights how Catwoman has remained a cultural touchstone for decades, evolving with each new interpretation while retaining her core identity as a cunning, independent antihero. In The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon’s “counting Catwomen” moment is a nod to the character’s rich history, celebrating the actresses who brought her to life. The State Farm commercial, meanwhile, shows how Catwoman continues to resonate in modern pop culture, with SZA’s casting reflecting a fresh, contemporary take on the character. It’s a testament to Catwoman’s enduring appeal that she can seamlessly fit into both a sitcom episode from 2008 and a high-profile ad campaign in 2025.

I’m counting catwomen: Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman!

What’s also interesting is how both the commercial and the Big Bang Theory episode use Catwoman to tap into humor, albeit in different ways. In the State Farm ad, SZA’s Catwoman is part of a broader comedic narrative that pokes fun at Jason Bateman’s ineptitude as a superhero, while also delivering a clever metaphor for insurance reliability. In The Big Bang Theory, the humor comes from Sheldon’s idiosyncratic thought process and Howard’s growing frustration, with Catwoman serving as the catalyst for one of the episode’s funniest exchanges. Both instances show how the character can be a vehicle for lighthearted storytelling, even outside the darker, more dramatic tone of the Batman comics.

I’m counting catwomen: DC Comic’s Catman!

As I reflect on this unexpected connection, I’m reminded of why I love pop culture in the first place—it’s a web of references and callbacks that can link a 2025 commercial to a 2008 sitcom episode in the most delightful way. SZA’s Catwoman may not have been on Sheldon’s radar back in The Bad Fish Paradigm, but her appearance in the State Farm ad feels like a natural extension of the character’s legacy, one that Sheldon would no doubt have an opinion on if he were watching today. For now, I’ll just enjoy the nostalgia of “counting Catwomen” with Sheldon while appreciating SZA’s modern take on the feline fatale. Who knows—maybe the next time I see Catwoman on screen, I’ll find myself counting along with Sheldon all over again. Here’s a video about the connection between…

Catwoman: & Bastet, the Egyptian cat goddess

Bastet, the Egyptian cat goddess, was a deity revered for her protective nature, fertility, and association with both the home and the sun god Ra, evolving from a fierce lioness to a domesticated cat form. 

Here’s a more detailed look at Bastet’s mythology:

Ancient Greek Equivalence:The ancient Greeks equated Bastet with their goddess Artemis. 

Origins and Forms:Bastet began as a lioness warrior goddess, later depicted as a woman with a cat’s head or a full cat form. 

Family Connections:She was considered the daughter of Ra (the sun god) and Isis, and the consort of Ptah, with whom she had a son, Maahes. 

Protective Roles:Bastet was a protector of the family, home, and Pharaoh, and was seen as a defender of the king and the sun god Ra. 

Fertility and Childbirth:She was also associated with fertility and childbirth, possibly due to the domestic cat’s fertility. 

Other Roles:Bastet was also a goddess of protection against contagious diseases and evil spirits. 

Symbolism:She was often depicted holding a ceremonial sistrum (a musical instrument) and an aegis (a shield). 

Worship and Festivals:Bastet’s cult was centered in Bubastis, an important city in the Nile Delta, and her festival in April and May was a major event in ancient Egypt, involving feasting, music, dancing, and sacrifices. 

Mummified Cats:Large cemeteries of mummified cats were created at Bastet’s temple, and thousands of bronze statuettes of the goddess were deposited as votive offerings. 

Spread of the Cult:The cult of Bastet enjoyed increasing popularity, especially in the 1st millennium BC when it spread outside Egypt into the Mediterranean world.