# The Big Bang Theory - am I missing something? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 10, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168 "2009-02-10T03:16:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/1 "2009-02-10T03:16:42Z")
I keep reading and hearing great reviews of the show The Big Bang Theory. It seemed like something I would like - I work in a large research lab and know lots of nerdy science types (okay, maybe I am a nerdy science type too) and I like Two and a Half Men, which I believe is made by the same people. I thought I should check it out. I just watched my 3rd episode, and I just don’t get what is appealing about this show. I feel like I’m missing something - it doesn’t seem remotely amusing to me. Is this one of those shows you need to watch many times to ‘get into it’? Should I have started at the beginning? Do you need to watch episodes in order - I sort of jumped around a bit? Am I missing some important backstory on the characters? Is it one of those ‘funnier in repeat viewing’ type shows? If the answer is just “well, sometimes you just don’t like something” then that’s fine, I can accept that not everything is my cup of tea. I know I love some shows that other people probably hate. I just for some reason feel like this show should appeal to me, so I want to hear other opinions before I give up on it. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/2 "2009-02-10T03:24:25Z")
I didn’t find it amusing in the slightest either. I found it quite forced and the characters pretty much unlikeable. Some of the humour seemed really dated too. ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jester/32/8223_2.png) [@Jester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/3 "2009-02-10T03:25:09Z")
I haven’t watched much, so I may not be the best source, but from what I’ve heard about it it kind of hit its stride a little later on in the season, when the writers got freed up to move away from the “make fun of the nerds” standard sitcom dealie and start actually writing new jokes. Again, though, just what I’ve heard; I’m looking forward to catching up on it as it does seem to be getting a lot of great reception lately. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/4 "2009-02-10T03:36:34Z")
I thought it sucked at first. It’s of the same quality as the short-lived Cavemen sitcom. But, it’s only 20 minutes out of my week, and it does have some good lines, mixed in with a lot of rants that go on a bit too long and aren’t so funny. It does grow on you and get better through season 1, and I have LOLd at times. I’d say give it a try and see if it grows on you. The show mystifies me though. Actually, it’s the audience that mystifies me. If you read the weekly threads you’ll always hear people saying “OMG, that was so funny! That was EXACTLY like me!” or, “OMG, that is exactly like all my friends and coworkers!!! That’s exactly like my girlfriend/boyfriend!” I’m thinking, “really?” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/5 "2009-02-10T03:37:34Z")
I love this show. I think it’s witty , surprising, and has an effective, appeaing cast. But bottom line, like most TV, movies, musice, books, etc. -I think it’s just a matter of personal taste whether you like it or not. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/6 "2009-02-10T03:40:12Z")
I’ve tried to like it, I’m in the exact right demographic to like it and I’ve given it a fair shot but I definitely do not like it. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/7 "2009-02-10T03:56:21Z")
It’s definitely not the most cleverest or best-written sitcom ever. But I think you do appreciate it more after seeing the rocky beginnings of the first season. Watching it now you get a sense of “this is a lot better than before!” and it keeps one entertained for a half hour a week. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/8 "2009-02-10T03:58:56Z")
The few times I watched it, I got the impression that the jokes were written by people who are NOT nerds, but who were told to try to appeal to the nerd demographic somehow, so all they had to go on were stereotypes and memories of the people they made fun of in school. Didn’t seem funny. ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/9 "2009-02-10T04:22:07Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > The few times I watched it, I got the impression that the jokes were written by people who are NOT nerds, but who were told to try to appeal to the nerd demographic somehow, so all they had to go on were stereotypes and memories of the people they made fun of in school. Didn’t seem funny. Yeah, I think this is the essence of my problem with it too. Every day I am surrounded by high-IQ type PhD and above level scientists, and while they are plenty nerdy, they are absolutely nothing like these characters. And yet, as \*\*levdrakon \*\*said, almost every mention of the show I have ever read has some comment like "OMG, they are so realistic! Finally a show about the nerdy amongst us!'. Meh. Maybe it’s just not for me. Who knows. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/10 "2009-02-10T12:31:50Z")
Sometimes you just don’t like something. I don’t care for Two and Half men, but I find TBBT very amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/11 "2009-02-10T12:46:42Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > The show mystifies me though. Actually, it’s the audience that mystifies me. If you read the weekly threads you’ll always hear people saying “OMG, that was so funny! That was EXACTLY like me!” or, “OMG, that is exactly like all my friends and coworkers!!! That’s exactly like my girlfriend/boyfriend!” > > I’m thinking, “really?” :eek: TV comedy thrives on exaggeration. Sure, maybe some people would like to steal John Wayne’s cement footprints and keep them under their bed, but in the real world it never actually happens. _The Big Bang Theory_ is geekiness writ large. I think we all know that, we’re just surprised and impressed to see geekiness at all. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/12 "2009-02-10T13:13:11Z")
Are they exactly like the nerds I know? No. But I \*do \*know geeks who will argue over things like how superman gets his clothing clean - or how he is able to fly. I know nerds who speak Klingon and insist that others in the RPG speak it too (if they are in a Star Trek RPG.) These things are not only not exaggerations, they are common amongst many of the geeks I know. Many of the things I’ve seen on the show could happen at some of the places that I have worked. I don’t know anyone who can’t speak in front of a pretty woman, but I know some who are reduced to saying little or single-word answers. They aren’t that unrealistic - maybe exaggerated for comedic effect, but not so unusual in the geek world. I didn’t get _Everyone Loves Raymond_ because I didn’t grow up in a family where everyone was hateful. And yet I would hear so many people say: that is so much like my mother-in-law or he is so much like Dad. I hated \*Seinfeld \*- again because everyone is despicable, and yet I knew lots of people who thought their group of friends were \*just \*like characters on Seinfeld. I knew one group who would say Bill is Jerry and Sandy is Elaine. Hell, I could go through most of the sit-coms and tell you why I don’t get them. If you don’t get it, you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/13 "2009-02-10T13:22:56Z")
If you are watching the first season, the show started very slow and the critics didn’t give it much hope. It got better towards the end, and the second season has evolved into a high sitcom. If you don’t like the current season, well, it’s not your brand of geek humor. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/14 "2009-02-10T15:24:46Z")
> [@Meyer6](#): > > … I like Two and a Half Men, which I believe is made by the same people. Yep, there’s your problem. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/15 "2009-02-10T15:54:05Z")
I think Sheldon is a scream and Penny is about 6 kinds of hot. So yeah, I’ll keep watching. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/16 "2009-02-10T16:28:41Z")
Jim Parsons as Dr. Sheldon Cooper is one of the funniest actors in TV history. He isn’t acting a character, I swear he becomes the person. The only person who has him beat is Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/17 "2009-02-10T16:35:49Z")
I haven’t seen the show, but [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10547906&postcount=37) makes me want to. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/18 "2009-02-10T19:37:18Z")
I don’t think you have to do repeat viewings, I’ve only seen most episodes once or twice. Seeing them in order probably does help a lot. The guys initial reaction to hot new neighbor Penny was very funny, as was the process of her getting used to them and them getting used to her. Now the guys are actually pretty comfortable with her, and she’s grown as well. But when it comes down to it, it’s either funny/entertaining to you or it’s not. It’s like a funny joke, if you have to explain it, it’s not funny. Lots of people loved Friends, I hated it. Oh, and the other neat thing about this show that appeals to my nerdy side is that the technology, computers, video games, and science is very accurate in this show. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/19 "2009-02-10T20:10:41Z")
I’m a physics grad student and live in an apartment with other physicists, so I watch it because I kinda like it that there’s a sitcom set up similar to my life (we invented a 5-item version of rock-paper-scissors , so seeing the characters on the show do the same thing was pretty funny, for example). No hot neighbor, though ☹ But yea, its not actually that funny, and what humor it has is too dependent on the Sheldon character carrying the show. I’m actually suprised that other people are still watching it. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168/20 "2009-02-10T20:29:34Z")
Just watched a few clips online; (1) Penny is hot. (2) Laugh tracks suck ass. (3) I actually think the “nerdy awkward mannerisms” part of the characterization turns me off more than the actual jokes. The stilted, artificially awkward phrasing, that sort of thing. Even the biggest nerds I have ever known aren’t that socially challenged. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-am-i-missing-something/485168.md?page=2)