Year(s): 2007-Present
Creator: Chuck Lorre
Country: United States
Language: English
The Big Bang Theory is about a group of nerd scientist friends named Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) , Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) and Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar). The foursome spend their time working on their individual work projects, playing video games, watching science-fiction movies, or reading comic books. At first it seems that they have no luck with women, however as the series progresses they all seem to have girlfriends, even the autistic one named Sheldon.
Whenever I hear someone talk about The Big Bang Theory, it is always discussed with pride. "They represent us nerds!". Indeed one of the major selling points, is how "geeky" it can be. Though admittedly during the first season there were a few science jokes I didn't get (It's baffling that the audience did) it slowly devolves into a show that is all about sex, fart and ethnic jokes. The first few episodes, actually almost all of the episodes, revolve around Leonard trying to have sex with his new neighbor Penny. Cooper is the only one who isn't obsessed with sex, because he doesn't understand it, but when he gets a sex obsessed girlfriend then most of the jokes are about how he doesn't comprehend her lustful hints.
Are you unsure of each character's racial backround? Don't worry, because when creator Chuck Lorre isn't filling each minute with sex jokes he is constantly reminding you that Howard is Jewish and Raj is Indian. Though I have only seen 28 episodes, I counted fifteen specific Jewish jokes about money. This is fifteen more jewish money jokes than required, likely more than Seth Macfarlane puts in three Seasons of Family Guy. I would argue that The Big Bang Theory also has more cheap pop culture references. The entire episode could be about how Howard is an overly sexual mega-pervert, but throw in a few Batman references and people will say that it definitely represents the nerd community. Though many shows are filled with canned laughter, this series' laughter occurs far too often and sometimes when there isn't anything even funny being said. "This shirt is yellow" *laughter* "Hello..." *laughter*
In conclusion, while this show can be funny at times, it is certainly not the smart series it's cracked up to be. Much of the conflict arises from lack of sex or too much sex, which happens in almost every sitcom. The racial jokes are far too much, I feel awful at how East Indians are represented, surely the network would have not gotten away with the ethnic jokes if it was a black man instead of an Indian man. There is nothing "nerdy" about The Big Bang Theory, a sleezy formulaic comedy at best. Piss on it! 1/5
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