# Is the Big Bang Theory racist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 6, 2013, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243 "2013-01-06T07:14:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/21 "2013-01-06T20:23:10Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Raj’s character doesn’t include anything stereotypical “Indian immigrant,” like Apu from the Simpsons. The basics, selective mutism/wealthy family/astrophysicist/douchenozzle drunk, could have been any race or creed. The only thing “typically” Jewish about Howard is his mother, and compared with what’s been on TV and in movies for decades regarding Jewish stereotypes, that’s pretty much nothing. \*\*\*BEVERLY HOFSTADTER: \*_Oh, that’s fascinating. Selective mutism is quite rare. On the other hand, an adult Jewish male living with his mother is so common, it borders on sociological cliché._ ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/22 "2013-01-06T20:45:39Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > I tried watching a few episodes, but I got completely turned off because it seemed to me that they were simply disguising racism jokes as nerd jokes. In particular, I was turned off by the Jew and Hindi jokes. Is it somehow OK if they pretend the context is about making fun of nerds instead of being racist? I didn’t see much of that, 'cos I was already turned off by the insulting, pandering concept of the show anyway. 'Course, I wasn’t sure why I would have expected anything else in a show from the Chuck Lorre Crap Factory. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/23 "2013-01-06T20:52:23Z")
> [@pancakes3](#): > > Colander, > > when you say that there’s no difference between stereotypes and racism, are you saying: > > a) There is no difference between someone telling a joke and a klansman > or > b) There is such a thing as inoffensive racism since racism exists on a spectrum. > > ? Of course racism exists on a spectrum. Consider the old joke: Q. What’s worse than a racist joke? A. The Holocaust That doesn’t mean there’s inoffensive racism; there’s just more and less offensive racism. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/24 "2013-01-06T20:57:06Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > Not realizing this was CS, I thought you were wondering if the actual Big Bang theory was racist and I was a little disappointed. Another vote for this. I was hoping for an especially crazy discussion too… ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/25 "2013-01-06T21:13:37Z")
Had a reply, realized who the OP is, thought better of it. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/26 "2013-01-06T21:27:43Z")
My sister loves this show, but she’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. She doesn’t know science, but she thinks it’s pretty cool when they mix in some mention of a theory, I guess. I’ve watched the show only once or twice, and I was not impressed. Seems like a low-comedy show wrapped up in a science-nerdy package. Kinda like how “That 70’s Show” really was just raunchy trash using the 70’s to sound like a cool premise. But, I find the had little to do with the 70’s whatsoever. So, is my take on the “Big Bang Theory” correct? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/27 "2013-01-06T21:33:50Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Well that, and his delight at violating Jewish dietary laws every chance he get’s. > [@Sevencl](#): > > Raj does the same thing with the Hindu equivilant. Rainier Wolfcastle: _“That’s the joke!”_ > [@Jinx](#): > > So, is my take on the “Big Bang Theory” correct? No, it’s hilarious and awesome and the only geeks that hate it do so because some of the jokes cut a bit close to the bone. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/28 "2013-01-06T21:55:12Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > No, it’s hilarious and awesome and the only geeks that hate it do so because some of the jokes cut a bit close to the bone. Tell me I’m being whooshed, please :). ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/29 "2013-01-06T21:58:08Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Sheldon described women as being as moody bitches whose purpose is to breed, and showed no remorse, having his harassed assistant fill out his anti-harassment questionnaire. So it’s not just cheap racist jokes; there are cheap misogynist jokes, too. Please… It’s not a misogynist joke, it’s a joke about a character’s misogynist view and how little tact he has and how little he understands about how real people interact. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/30 "2013-01-06T21:59:59Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Tell me I’m being whooshed, please :). I’m serious. There was a great quote I read once in Entertainment Weekly (I think) and it’s really stuck with me: “The characters of The Big Bang Theory are the geeks we are, while the characters in How I Met Your Mother are the geeks we wish we were.” BBT seems very realistic to this geek/nerd. Even the constant sniping. That shit can get vicious. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/31 "2013-01-06T22:09:21Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > My sister loves this show, but **she’s not the sharpest tool in the shed**. She doesn’t know science, but she thinks it’s pretty cool when they mix in some mention of a theory, I guess. I’ve watched the show only once or twice, and I was not impressed. Seems like a low-comedy show wrapped up in a science-nerdy package. Kinda like how “That 70’s Show” really was just raunchy trash using the 70’s to sound like a cool premise. But, I find the had little to do with the 70’s whatsoever. > > So, is my take on the “Big Bang Theory” correct? :rolleyes: No, you are wrong. Again. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/32 "2013-01-06T22:36:22Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Is it somehow OK if they pretend the context is about making fun of nerds instead of being racist? Take any joke about greedy businessmen. That’s secretly racist because it’s really about greedy Jews, right? Take any joke about stupid blue-collar workers. That’s secretly racist because it’s code for a Polish joke, right? Take any joke about a spoiled young woman. That’s secretly racist because it’s really talking about the Jewish-American Princess stereotype, right? Doesn’t it mean that not only should we investigate every joke for racist subtext, but that once we look we will find that EVERY joke has a racist subtext! ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/33 "2013-01-06T22:47:32Z")
Well, on the one hand, if BBT made the sort of jokes about African-Americans that they make about Indians and Jewish mothers, Chuck Lorre would be crucified. On the other hand, the jokes are almost always made by Howard, who a) has been established to be an asshat who makes offensive comments, and b) is making them about his best friend and about himself. Context is important. The real question about racism vis-a-vis BBT, as it is about most mainstream TV, is: why are there no black characters on the show? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/34 "2013-01-06T22:57:09Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > The real question about racism vis-a-vis BBT, as it is about most mainstream TV, is: why are there no black characters on the show? Because the show centers around a group of friends, which even today in America is most likely to be mono-racial in make-up. This group is ahead of the curve with Raj. OTOH, I seem to recall that the black characters that _have_ shown up have all been one hell of a lot smarter and together than the nerds. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/35 "2013-01-06T23:41:15Z")
And while we’re at it, blacks are also sorely underrepresented at high-end research institutions. This fact is unfortunate, of course, but it is a fact, and it would be unrealistic to deny it. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/36 "2013-01-07T00:49:30Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > Please… It’s not a misogynist joke, it’s a joke about a character’s misogynist view and how little tact he has and how little he understands about how real people interact. Yes; true. Still a bit of a cheap laugh. They do better. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/37 "2013-01-07T00:53:12Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > On the other hand, the jokes are almost always made by Howard, who a) **has been established to be an asshat who makes offensive comments** , and b) is making them about his best friend and about himself. Context is important. (emphasis added) Indeed. That and Sheldon’s attitude towards women in the above-referenced episodes are meant to be aspects of their characters, not a message being endorsed, and we the audience are expected to understand it’s foolishness. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/38 "2013-01-07T01:04:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And while we’re at it, blacks are also sorely underrepresented at high-end research institutions. This fact is unfortunate, of course, but it is a fact, and it would be unrealistic to deny it. Do you think they take that into consideration when hiring extras for scenes at the university cafeteria? Absence of black/pretty much any type of person doesn’t really say racist to me. I think TV has grown beyond that these days, though that may just be wishful thinking or naivete. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/39 "2013-01-07T01:19:16Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Had a reply, realized who the OP is, thought better of it. Apologies got the OP confused with someone else. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243/40 "2013-01-07T01:21:01Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I’m serious. There was a great quote I read once in Entertainment Weekly (I think) and it’s really stuck with me: “The characters of The Big Bang Theory are the geeks we are, while the characters in How I Met Your Mother are the geeks we wish we were.” > > BBT seems very realistic to this geek/nerd. Even the constant sniping. That shit can get vicious. Wow, okay then. This geek couldn’t stand to watch more than a half-dozen episodes (i.e., the number that were on the single disc we rented), because of three factors: 1. None of the jokes were especially funny. I’m thrilled to laugh at geeks, but these guys just didn’t make me laugh. Give me The Guild any day. 2. Worse than that, the main woman on the show was a bimbo. “Geeks,” the show suggested, “are dudes. Dudes are smart. Chicks are dumb but pretty.” (I understand they introduced a smart girl in a later season; by then they’d lost me as a viewer). 3. Worse than that was the laugh track. It made me cringe every time it came on. Seriously, sitcom writers, aren’t we past the point where laugh tracks seem like a good idea? So, no, it’s quite possible to be a geek and to hate the show for reasons other than the jokes hitting too close to home. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-big-bang-theory-racist/646243.md?page=3)