The big bang Theory is one of the shows I am looking forward to see this fall and here’s four reasons why I love this show so much.
1) Watching the four original male characters develop.
When the show first started, Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Raj were shown as stereotypical nerds – awkward around women, highly intelligent but might not be street smart, and loving comic books and video games. Throughout the seasons, Howard has transformed from being the creepy guy who would try to pick up any female to a married man, Raj has gone from being unable to talk to women to doing so (though still awkwardly), and Leonard has mellowed out somewhat after landing the girl of his dreams, Penny. The only one that has regressed somewhat, at least in my opinion, is Sheldon, since it’s always taken him awhile to understand social cues, but it seems that these scenarios are becoming more comical and child-like in later seasons. However, his tendency to be egocentric, penchant to correct grammar at awkward moments, and OCD qualities still make him endearing, and the character you can’t help but love. These transformations over the last few seasons have been fairly subtle, but have kept their characters interesting as they go through different life stages.
2) Adding Bernadette and Amy Farrah Fowler.
In the beginning, Penny, Leonard and Sheldon’s pretty, aspiring actress neighbor, was the only regular female character in the show. Over the seasons, the show added Bernadette, who would become Howard’s love interest and then wife, and, my personal favorite, Amy Farrah Fowler, who is an odd and interesting relationship with Sheldon. Amy is a neuroscientist, played by Mayim Bialik who actually earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience. By adding these intelligent and witty women, it’s kept the show more interesting, since it was able to add more scenes with “just the girls,” as well as the relate-able scenarios that occur between couples. It’s made the group’s dynamic more interesting, since it has a diverse amount of personalities that all interweave together so well.
3) It’s plain hilarious.
The show taps into various comic styles, whether it’s regular slapstick or cleverly written dialogue. What’s also interesting is that it brings out humorous topics that aren’t normally covered in sitcoms, whether it’s comic book references like when Sheldon dressed like The Flash and mimicked his Flash fast actions, or some subtle truths within academia such as the at-times rivalry between pure versus applied sciences. The show also pokes fun at stereotypes without being derogatory, whether it’s Howard marrying someone like his mother when Bernadette acts out in his mother’s voice or whenever Sheldon’s mom visits and spews out close-minded stereotypes. While I do feel initially shocked by what happened, it’s still done so without the same cringe-inducing reaction I might get when watching South Park. Overall, the level of humor has remained consistent and well done, no doubt attributed to the amazing writers, as well as the spot on delivery with all the actors and actresses.
4) Bringing science into the mainstream.
What I love the most about BBT is how it brings science into the show by having an actual scientist make sure that the theories and formulas on the whiteboard are accurate and the scientific tidbits in the dialogue factual. Furthermore, some guest stars appearing on the show are prominent figures in the scientific community, whether it’s Buzz Aldrin, Steve Wozniak, or Neil deGrass Tyson. At times, I’m curious enough to look up a certain scientific aspect introduced by the show, and I’m guessing if I do it, odds are that others in the 17 million viewers do the same. So if mainstream shows pique enough interests, whether it’s Shark Tank inspiring entrepreneurship or Top Chef aspiring future chefs, then perhaps BBT could have a role in motivating more viewers to go into STEM fields.
Are you looking forward to the next season of Big Bang Theory?