As a long-time fan of “The Big Bang Theory,” I must admit that I’ve been quite disappointed with how the show treats its female characters at times. Growing up as a young woman, it was exciting to see smart and capable women represented on TV, but Penny, Amy, and Bernadette often felt like more than just characters – they were objects of ridicule or the butt of jokes.
Despite the fact that “The Big Bang Theory” enjoyed a long-lasting popularity over 12 seasons, it doesn’t automatically imply universal adoration. On the contrary, a significant number of people strongly disliked it. The reason for this dislike can vary among individuals.
As a devoted fan myself, I can’t help but acknowledge the intense feelings people have towards “The Big Bang Theory.” It’s not just an understatement, it’s a fact – type “Big Bang Theory bad” into YouTube and you’ll find countless videos. Over the years, many viewers have puzzled over why this popular sitcom can stir such strong reactions, even leading some to tell actors like Simon Helberg, who played Howard Wolowitz, that they despise the show. In a 2022 podcast episode with Mayim Bialik, Helberg shared an amusing encounter where a man claimed he hated the show but wanted a coffee from him because his roommate loved it. Helberg’s response? “I was like ‘Yeah, you had me at you hate my show. Would you like a bagel to go with that?'”
Let’s delve right into it. Here are several reasons why some individuals might dislike “The Big Bang Theory.”
The Big Bang Theory hasn’t been on the air since 2019 — but it’s always on TV
Originally airing from 2007 to 2019, “The Big Bang Theory” remains a common sight on television screens today. If you have cable, take a look at your local listings; there’s a strong possibility it’s currently playing on TBS. The show continues to be incredibly popular and influential, as evidenced by HBO’s substantial investment in the exclusive streaming rights which can now be found on Max alongside original comedies like “Veep” and “Girls.” A spin-off, “Young Sheldon,” aired until 2024 and has since spawned its own spinoff titled “Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage.” Another “Big Bang Theory” series is planned for Max in the future, even surprising the cast who were unaware of its development. This expansive “Big Bang Theory” universe can be likened to an ouroboros, a snake eternally consuming its own tail. For some viewers, this ongoing expansion might feel tiresome.
Still, nobody is forcing anyone to watch “The Big Bang Theory” or any of its spin-offs — but nobody can deny that it’s still an enormous part of the pop culture landscape decades after it first aired on CBS. This is a shallow complaint, though. What else?
Does The Big Bang Theory make nerds look stupid — and does it get nerd culture right?
It could be argued that “The Big Bang Theory,” despite its portrayal of nerd culture, intentionally paints the four main characters – Howard Wolowitz, Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons), Leonard Hofstadt (Johnny Galecki), and Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) – as perpetual losers. To make matters worse, the show often trivializes nerd culture with humor that some might find offensive or unfunny. For instance, in 2016, musician Lyle Rath took to Twitter, expressing outrage over a clip of the show featuring Howard making a series of pop culture references followed by laughter. The clip contained explicit language and was quite loud, causing Rath to exclaim that it wasn’t a well-written joke. (A discussion on laugh tracks will follow shortly.)
As a gamer, I can’t help but feel that “The Big Bang Theory” might have missed the mark when it comes to representing nerd culture. While it certainly had its moments, it often seemed to portray us as foolish or idiotic, which isn’t exactly an accurate reflection of who we are.
Some people just think The Big Bang Theory isn’t that funny
Some individuals find “The Big Bang Theory” unfunny, and this opinion frequently revolves around the outdated laugh track. A popular critique on YouTube involves stripping the show of its laugh track, which makes it seem oddball, especially during scenes where actors move about the set and position themselves in silence while waiting for laughter to subside. (Check out this example for your entertainment.) In today’s context, laugh tracks feel like a relic from a bygone era; surprisingly, the creators of “How I Met Your Father,” which premiered in 2022, opted to incorporate a laugh track – an unexpected choice that leaves many scratching their heads. (Although “How I Met Your Mother” featured one too, but that’s not the focus here and is better discussed in another article.)
To put it simply, “The Big Bang Theory” often employs humor that can be classified as cheap or superficial, relying heavily on characters making nerdy or scientific remarks to portray them as intelligent but also socially awkward, or perpetuating offensive stereotypes, especially when it comes to the character Raj’s home country of India. If you enjoy the rapid-fire, hyper-specific humor found in shows like “30 Rock,” then “The Big Bang Theory” might not be your cup of tea due to its distinctly different pacing and style.
The Big Bang Theory can be really misogynistic at times
“The Big Bang Theory” often portrays its female characters poorly, a point even die-hard fans might concede. For instance, Penny, played by Kaley Cuoco, isn’t given her own last name initially in the show (she only gets it when she marries Leonard). The male characters frequently objectify Penny, as illustrated by Howard giving her a teddy bear with a camera inside and then driving a remote-controlled car under her skirt while she wears one. When two more leading female characters, Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) and Bernadette Rostenkowski (Melissa Rauch), are introduced, they provide Penny with much-needed friendship, but they seem to exist mainly to be paired off with Sheldon and Howard.
After the primary characters, with the exception of Raj, find partners, the show frequently allows them to behave poorly towards their significant others without any real consequences or resolution. Conflicts between Leonard and Penny, Howard and Bernadette, or Sheldon and Amy often arise, with the men typically being at fault, but these issues are simply brushed aside by the end of each episode, leaving no lasting impact. This treatment of women in “The Big Bang Theory” is problematic, especially for a character like Howard who values respect, and it may be off-putting to some viewers.
Complaints have actually been filed claiming The Big Bang Theory is too offensive for primetime TV
One unusual critique against the “Big Bang Theory” surfaced over the years. Some audiences apparently expressed their concerns – even to the Federal Communications Commission – about the use of language in a prime-time sitcom broadcasted on CBS, claiming it went beyond acceptable limits.
Back in 2021, Observer managed to get hold of some rather extraordinary complaints lodged by disgruntled viewers. For instance, in October 2015, a viewer was disturbed after hearing the term “genitalia” used frequently across different episodes, expressing their discomfort: “Words like these tend to stick in my mind and linger in my memory.” Other complaints included the use of slang terms for the same body part: “On an episode of The Big Bang Theory, one character said to another ‘What a puss.'” Interestingly, even commercials aired during The Big Bang Theory on TBS were not spared from criticism. As one viewer put it, “During a commercial break on TBS, they showed an advertisement for Family Guy, featuring a shirtless, overweight man on all fours being milked by another man. I don’t have children, but I can only imagine the awkward conversations that would ensue if my kids saw that on TV.” So, there you have it!
As a fan who appreciates the quirky humor of The Big Bang Theory, I must say that the criticisms may not always be directly about the show, but it seems people have diverse sensitivities. If you’re open to it and enjoy its unique charm, don’t forget to catch up on The Big Bang Theory which is now available for streaming on Max!
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2024-09-01 18:00