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DVD TV Show Reviews
When "Big Bang Theory" debuted last year, I did not watch it. I
seem to recall that it was on opposite something else I watch. I kept reading
and hearing that it was a very funny show, though, so I kept meaning to watch it
one day. So I was very glad to be asked to review the show for our site. I
really did miss a lot by not watching this show.
I have one main requirement for a comedy : it has to be funny. Fortunately, Big
Bang Theory fits the bill. It may not be the funniest show in the world that
makes me laugh out loud, but it puts a smile on my face and makes me giggle, and
occasionally laugh out loud, and I want to keep watching. Really, what more can
you ask for?
Well, okay, here's more. Some people don't like shows where the characters are
mean, unlikeable, or irritating (like "Married With Children", or "Seinfeld", or
"Everybody Loves Raymond"). The Bing Bang Theory is filled with likable
characters. It's kind of like "Friends" for geeks.
If you were ever a geek, or knew one well, or were related to one, then you will
probably like this show and recognize the characters. As for me, I fit all three
of those examples. The show uses a lot of big words and theories, but it is not
hard to understand. The "smart guys" talking do sound more impressive than, say,
the Professor on Gilligan's Island, so I'm guessing that the writers really are
very smart and know a lot about physics.
The show is about two physics professors (I think they're professors - it's sort
of hard to tell sometimes) who live in a small apartment, and a pretty girl
moves into the apartment across the hall from them. One of them is a total geek
who seems not to have any interest in romance, and the other one is less of a
geek but thinks he has a chance with her. They have two other nerdy friends who
come over a lot. They do all the requisite geek things like go online, write
blogs, play video games, play D&D, watch "Battlestar Galactica" and "Superman",
etc. It's also clear that the writers are geeks themselves and know the geek
world very well.
Johnny Galecki stars as Leonard, the romantic hero who thinks he can get the
girl. I loved Galecki when he was on "Roseanne". He is not as cute here because
he is supposed to be more of a geek, but he is still attractive. They put ugly
glasses on him and make him look uglier than he actually is. His roommate is
played by Jim Parsons, who was also on the show "Judging Amy". Parsons reminds
me quite a lot of Niles on "Frasier", since he's a bit of a fuss-budget and kind
of neurotic like Niles. Their new neighbor, Penny, is played by Kelly Cuoco, who
was very good on the last season of "Charmed". So the geeks who watch this show
will no doubt not only love the show's geek references and humor, they will
probably enjoy seeing Cuoco again as well.
The creators of the show formerly wrote "Two and a Half Men" and "Dharma &
Greg", two very funny shows. I also enjoy seeing other actors from "Roseanne" in
small guest-starring roles. I hope I get to see more!
The DVD is a good treat for any fan of comedy. There are two extras that any fan
of the show should enjoy. One is about the show, called "Quantum Mechanics of
The Big Bang Theory", and the other is a behind-the-scenes look at "geek chic".
They are very interesting.
My only quibble with this show is that, if they are professors, why do they
dress like students and live in a cheap apartment? Professors make quite a bit
of money. Even when starting out, they make a good salary (I know because I am
married to one). At the very least, they can afford good apartments and not have
to share. Also, in one episode, the new chair of the department fired Sheldon
for telling him what he thought of him. There are a few problems with that.
First of all, it's hard to believe that Sheldon made it this far without at
least learning a little about telling white lies. Second, professors have tenure
and can't be fired for something like that. If Sheldon or Leonard are not
tenured, then they wouldn't be having so much fun. they would be working really
hard to publish so they can get tenure. If they are not professors but are just
working in a private lab, then they would be making even more money. So that
whole thing was stupid and unrealistic, even though it was a funny episode.
Also, their friend Raj works with them. He can't speak to attractive women,
apparently. Well, then he must not be a professor, either, because they have to
speak to their students and co-workers. He would not be hired if he couldn't
speak to women.
Now, I have known many real-life geeks like these guys. They are not college
professors. They are computer geeks, or they are unemployed and sleeping on
someone's couch, or they have some other job that allows them to dress and act
badly without having to interact with human beings. So that is where the premise
is kind of wrong. But I won't be a total geek like these guys and obsess about
these little minor details that no one will care about. I will just tell you
that you will enjoy this show because it's very funny and has nice characters,
and leave it at that.
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