The big bang theory season 8
The cast and crew of The Big Bang Theory accept the Favorite TV Show award onstage at the 41st Annual People's Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre LA on January 7, 2015 in Los Angeles Getty Images

The Big Bang Theory season 8 will return with an all new episode this Thursday, 8 January on CBS.

The 12th episode is titled, The Space Probe Disintegration, where Sheldon and Leonard will have a heart-to-heart conversation.

Click here to watch the episode live stream online.

Click here to watch the episode online.

The official synopsis reads as follows:

When the guys finally agree to do something the girls like, it leads to a confrontation between Leonard and Sheldon. Wolowitz tries to distract Raj, who is anxiously awaiting data from a space probe he helped launch. Meanwhile, Sheldon and Leonard go dress shopping with Penny and Amy.

Executive producer Steve Molaro has said that the writers are not in a rush for a Leonard and Penny wedding right away.

Molaro told Tvline that the upcoming episodes will focus on the finer points of the couple's engagement like, "future living arrangements regarding Sheldon."

Also, the next episode will pay tribute to Carol Ann Susi, the late actress who voiced Wolowitz's mother.

"The death of Carol will be dealt with. We just needed time to process the loss of our friend," Molaro added.

The Big Bang Theory also won multiple honours at the 41st annual People's Choice Awards, which aired on Wednesday night.

The CBS sitcom won the Best TV Comedy and Favourite TV Show awards, while co-star Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting was chosen as Favourite Comedic TV actress.

Watch all the promos for the upcoming episode here: