Your Reasons for Hating Big Bang Theory Are Bullshit: A Logical Argument
by Meg Elison on Jan, 20 2013
My esteemed colleague Nam Le wrote an exhaustive critique to celebrate the dawn of season nine of How I Met Your Mother. Mr. Le is a talented writer and an astute observer of popular culture. However, one sentence in his otherwise unblemished treatise gave me pause.
“In January of 2013, CBS is still home to many popular comedies – including the god-awful Big Bang Theory…”
When I say it gave me pause, I mean I promptly slapped his face with my elegant leather glove and demanded he choose his weapon. Why? It’s simple. I have had it with these motherfucking haters trashing this motherfucking show.
I don’t mind when people dislike something that I enjoy. I’m really into Battlestar Galactica and anisette and steampunk haberdashery; I recognize that not everyone can share my exquisite and rarified tastes. However, people who hate Big Bang Theory supply terrible reasons for why they hate it. Here are the arguments on the internet, boiled down for your convenience:
- Big Bang Theory uses a laugh track. Guilty as charged. Like most other comedies filmed before a live audience, the post-production team at BBT uses a laugh track to “sweeten” the live sound of laughs. For its format, BBT’s use of a laugh track is normal and fully acceptable. As someone who has been in that audience and had friends do the same, I can attest that a. not much has been added falsely and b. we can totally hear ourselves, you guys.
- BBT is unfair to its female characters. As a bra-torching abortion-supporting card-carrying shrieking harpy of a feminist, I can’t figure out how this one got past me. Yes, Penny is a beautiful blonde whose primary function takes place on the eye-candy aisle. She’s also complex: a sports fan, attached to her father, a farm girl, street savvy, adaptable, and funny. Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz is a brilliant scientist with a mean streak and a capacity for vengeance. She’s also a fiercely loyal friend and happens to be hot as hell. No complaints there. Amy Farrah Fowler is the most awkward of the girls, played by a starlet in bad makeup* as the socially stunted neuroscientist who dates Dr. Sheldon Cooper. Although played as unattractive, Dr. Fowler explores her burgeoning sexuality and develops her swag without depending on a man to define it or her friends to buttress it. The female characters are a little shortchanged by their exclusion from the comic books and gaming on the show, but Penny did manage to become a complete Warcraft addict, so it’s not a total wash. This complaint is hollow bullshit from people who don’t pay attention to anything but the aforementioned eye candy.
- Some insensitive, butthurt blowhard on the internet decided that Big Bang Theory is “nerd blackface.” In the first place, the use of this term is so grossly racially insensitive that racist trolls everywhere gasped a little when they read it. Johnny Galecki wearing a Green Lantern t-shirt and making you feel conflicted IS IN NO WAY COMPARABLE to the institutionalized racism, oppression, and mockery endured by black Americans for more than a century. Moving past that, it seems that bloggers everywhere feel uncomfortable that we are sometimes induced to laugh at the nerds rather than with them. This is a subtle difference, and it’s rooted in our deepest insecurities and bad memories of being little geeks. We feel that any laughter at skinny Howard or dateless Raj is a slight against us. People making this complaint fail to register the reality of these characters’ lives. They have excellent jobs, all the gadgets they want, steadfast friends and exciting love lives (Except Raj. Hang in there, buddy.) They are fully aware of their place in the world; they revel in it when it’s good and they get to go to space and bounce lasers off the moon. They pity themselves when life is pitiable, and they move on. When we laugh at them, they’re in on it. Get your inner child out of the locker already.
I know you’re all upset. Geek has gone mainstream. Twihards choke the hallways at Comic-Con and Star Trek is new again. Big Bang Theory is us. It’s an urban tribe of geeky kids who didn’t become parents when their parents did and have to redefine what it means to be an adult. I’ll admit there are sometimes too many bazingas and too few girls in the comic book store. But it isn’t god-awful by any stretch of the imagination.
If it just doesn’t make you laugh, I’ve got no beef with you. If you hate the theme song written by the most celebrated Canadian alt-rock band of the mid 90s, that’s your petty business.However, if you’re working yourself into a frenzy over the representation of geek culture or you’re trashing a show because Wil Wheaton is an occasional (and delightful) guest star, I am calling your shenanigans right here and now.
Nineteen million viewers. Sixteen Emmy nominations. Going strong in a sixth season, unlike the vegetative husk of HIMYM.
Bazinga.
*The starlet in question, Dr. Mayim Bialik, has an irl PhD in neuroscience from UCLA. Legit.
Trending Articles:
-
Any show on CBS sucks. I’ve yet to laugh at a single show on CBS ever. They all have that crappy “Becker” sensibility.
-
LOL Really OP? You’re complaining about someone’s opinion about a TV show? That’s pathetic. It’s a TV sitcom. Who cares?
The Big Bang Theory is OK, & let me tell you, I’m a big time geek. The shows OK. Honestly I think Futurama, Smallville, Stargate, & Star Trek are better geek shows
-
I get where you’re coming from, but the main problems I have with Big Bang Theory are that the women are portrayed as prizes to be won and are somewhat ridiculed/degraded for exercising their right to say no.
Also, I’m pretty majorly pissed that they featured a character (Sheldon) who displays tell-tale signs of Asperger’s syndrome without even bringing up the fact that he does the things he does not because he’s a cute and quirky guy, but because of a developmental disorder (autism). The fact that the writers of the show failed to address this tells me that they are more than happy to use a character’s “idiosyncrasies” for a laugh but will pay no heed too the fact that people everyday struggle with this disorder.-
Um, have you seen every other show on TV? You can pull the same bullshit for every show out there. You can say the same thing about Abed on Community. You can say the same thing about
Also, how is it any different with regards to the women on any other TV show? With the exception of Penny, the other two women on Big Bang Theory are astute scholars with PhDs in their respective prestigious fields. Lily on How I Met Your Mother is an art buyer, a job where no “real” work is done that is stereotypically associated with women. Robin is a prize to be won between Ted and Barney.
If you guys don’t like the show’s humor, fine, but stop trying to bash this great show with bullshit arguments.
-
-
Thanks much for writing this. Well done.
As you say, I’m fine if people think it’s funny, or if they feel it does a disservice to nerds, well, they’re so entitled. However, the degree it’s been taken has become, essentially insulting to me as the extension of hatred for the characters and the notion that they represent only bad stereotypes we should hate has moved to essentially claiming I am wrong to feel any sympathy or identification with these characters.
I.E., I am myself a “bad stereotype” and so are many people I know. Frankly, as a living and breathing person, I resent that.
As you say, conflating a portrayal of nerds with “blackface” is its own insensitivity.
-
^Amen bro.
There are stereotypes for every class of people imaginable and I’m sure everybody has a set of stereotypes that could apply to them. This show is just like every other show – it plays on stereotypes and uses it for humor, for some reason people have decided to bash this show instead of others.
-
-
None of the characters are intellectuals or discuss things that would actually be interesting to people who like science. Instead, they spout off scientific facts and geeky references but in a way that makes it seem like they have no idea what they’re talking about. The geeky references are also too broad; no one likes every video game, sci-fi show, and so on. It’s just watered down for a broader audience appeal. Geeks can laugh with them and jocks can laugh at them, because both sides have been tricked into thinking the show is appealing to them specifically.
But sitcoms in general aren’t worth watching. The writing is shallow and the situations can be (and have been) used by just about any other sitcom. Everything is interchangeable and nothing is unique. It’s ad-lib comedy writing. The characters themselves never grow and are never serious. Serious situations are watered down and have no consequences in the end. But it’s a comedy sitcom, right? That means nothing is supposed to be serious! I guess you’ve never watched Scrubs, which managed to slip in genuine dramatic moments despite being a comedy.
-
@Kev
A sitcom can be well written with character development and good storytelling. Look at Cheers and MASH. Granted nobody has put in the effort in at least 10 years. But don’t say that a sitcom can’t be well written, that’s just makes you sound stupid.
-
-
HIMYM is one of the greatest shows ever and still is. The big bag theory is terrible because it focuses on nerds. I am tired of all of the focus on immature and juvenile mediums of media/art such as anime, video games, comic books, star wars, the endless wave of over-done zombie movies/obsession with zombie apocalypse scenarios as if it would actually happen, harry potter, lord of the rings, doctor who and whatever the fuck else… I will admit my 2 things I like that could be considered nerdy: I like Red Dwarf and the IT Crowd . The IT Crowd is an example of how a show that features a few nerdy people can be good because it doesn’t just constantly scream: “LOOOOOK!!! NERDS!!” in a non-subtle manner every second of the show. Johnny Galecki is likable guy but I just don’t like the big bag theory. I’m not the type to judge anyone, including nerds. I’m an Environmental Scientist and Policy Specialist with a Master’s in Applied Geography and I’m not always perfect in every social situation but I just cannot identify with nerds and nerd culture irritates the hell out of me. I understand everyone gets caught up with/obsesses over things to some degree, for me its college basketball and politics. I’m just stating my non-objective opinion.
-
only juveniles don’t like star wars noob!!
-
-
The laugh track alone is reason enough to hate this show. Even if it’s a studio audience they’re still laughing because a little light came on that told them to. Any laugh track is offputting because it’s basically the writers holding your hand through the jokes of the show because they think people aren’t smart enough to get the jokes. Whenever I watch that show the laugh track is the only thing I can hear now. Even people I know who love the show have been put off once I point out the laugh track goes off literally after every sentence. So go fuck yourself for thinking my reasons for hating the show are bullshit. *Uproarious laughter*
-
Sorry, but YOU seem a bit butthurt. The laugh track IS annoying as shit. The constant in-your-face references don’t even make contextual sense half the time (it’s like the writers were like, “THERE, a Doctor Who reference, that’ll keep em laughing”) and half of the references AREN’T even correct. The show is mean-spirited and Sheldon is such a dick. In what universe could you treat your friends that way and NOT get a punch in the face? And he’s simply not funny. He just blathers about random things in a monotonous voice and it’s supposed to be funny? Okay. No. Community does a MUCH better “geek” comedy show. New Girl does the whole “girl meets/moves in with 3 weird guys” plot much better. Psych just does “funny overall” much better. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia does “mean humor” much better. Having watched dozens and dozens of TV shows and tons of comedy shows, I can safely say (aside from Two And A Half Men and Suburgatory, ugh) that TBBT is one of the WORST comedies on television.
-
Every show you listed has annoying characters too.
I like New Girl too, but all those characters are just as punch-in-the-face worthy as Sheldon. Schmidt is a self-centered asshole just like Sheldon, he just doesn’t assert it in a nerdy way. Nick makes irrational and embarassing decisions all the time that make absolutely no sense. Jess is an annoying little immature bitch.
Community? Jeff is a huge dick. Same with Pierce. Troy and Abed are odd and irrational. Annie only cares about her grades. I don’t see how any of these people could function normally in a circle of friends either.
I don’t watch the other shows, so I won’t comment on those.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of New Girl and Community, but your argument for disliking the Big Bang Theory is bullshit. If it’s not your cup of tea, fine but don’t go around calling it a bad show just cause you don’t appreciate it.
Unlike all the other shows featuring super extroverted characters, I can actually relate to the situations and problems that come up in Big Bang Theory. Of course they’re exaggerated, but this is TV.
-
-
Honestly, I think people just dislike Big Bang Theory because they’re just full of themselves and can’t stand the idea of nerds getting laid. I bet if the characters were attractive and/or not socially awkward like every typical bullshit drama, this show would have ratings through the roof. And if you don’t understand what I’m referring to, go fuck yourself.
Also, one of the comments in the Reddit thread: “Ask yourself, who in TBBT is the audience meant to identify with?” How about all of the main characters? Have you never felt awkward socially? Have you never been in a room where you were the smartest/most educated one there? Well, excuse me if you have a perfect social skill-set with perfect looks to go with your 2.0 GPA with a bullshit major that’s meaningless to society. There are definitely people that I can identify with in this show. What about other shows? Like all those dramas? Those guys/girls that seem to get laid every episode, with people they shouldn’t be sleeping with? Who the fuck actually has that much drama in their lives? Hell, I’d be damn happy if there were a single attractive girl that’d be willing to sleep with me right now.
Look, you don’t have to like the show, but don’t hate on it. I don’t go hating on all the bullshit that goes on in your shows, and you shouldn’t do the same to mine.
-
Wow, you’re pretty angry about that. I didn’t think my posting of that link was particularly mean, but I’m sorry it hurt your feelings. To be honest, I don’t care enough to hate on that show, or any show.
But I don’t know why you can assume that I’m not a nerd, that I have a low GPA, and that I’m not a hard science major because I don’t like your show. That’s pretty presumptuous of you. I find it especially funny because I’m basically the opposite of what you said. Yeah, fool, double that GPA, and add a double major in the two of the nerdiest, most left-brained fields out there. Oh yeah, and some theoretical math research. (In my head I’m saying this lightly, not trying to mean, but still).
And how can we say which discipline will bring society the most meaning? I find that quite assuming as well.
Anyways, good day to you, sir.
-
-
Deeper reasons for disliking TBBT:
http://www.reddit.com/r/community/comments/16294p/one_of_the_the_best_magnitude_scenes/c7s2iwg-
Those reasons are bullshit. Every show, except maybe documentaries and nature shows, are just as shallow and “cheap.” You can’t hate everything you don’t appreciate.
-
-
If you watch the DVD extras and listen to interviews you would know that Big Bang does NOT use a laugh track. What you hear is the studio audience and nothing else. In fact, they often reduce or eliminate laughs.
-
Love this. I could be the mother (gulp) to anyone of these nerds, including Penny. BBT learned to speak to several sub cultures and I commend there fluent use of what could have been awful. It is like candy, not dinner. The banter between you and your cohort was fun and I laughed out loud. Harmless fun, smart observations, make me home sick……and home sick is a kind of sick….
-
“When we laugh at them, they’re in on it. Get your inner child out of the locker already.”
Tell that to the kids who watch this and are bullied and driven to suicide. Seriously, you tell us that calling it nerd blackface is beyond offensive and then you turn around and completely dismiss the issue of making it pop culture to laugh at nerds. You don’t even see that your argument boils down to: they know they’re being laughed at and they suck it up so you should too. Perhaps we should apply that argument to people who suffer racism. Oh wait no, that wouldn’t be ok by your standards now would it?
Comments