VOX:
One of the biggest TV shows in recent history is about to end, after a long, hugely successful run. Viewers are sharply divided. Some have argued that the show is a massively enjoyable example of the power of the monoculture, complete with great character work and compelling storytelling.
But others believe its point of view is regressive and backward, playing off stereotypes and tropes that can be actively harmful if they aren’t handled with care — and which the show has often mishandled.
But look beyond its massive viewership and you’ll find a series that has won many Emmy Awards as well as several other honors. You’ll find a show that, at its height, was embraced enthusiastically by TV critics. You’ll find a show that made lots of people laugh and cry and maybe even feel better about life.
I enjoyed The Big Bang Theory immensely for what it was – a silly little comedy. While I’d never call it a “great” show, I looked forward to watching it each week and I’m sorry its run has come to an end.
Loathed the show from S1. I’m not really a geek in the D&D, never went out in the summer, etc vein but I agree that it stereotyped those with geek tendencies to an extreme and in very… typical ways. I’ve no idea how it lasted since the humor was kind of one note, playing the same things over and over. Good riddance.
While I love the show in the beginning, it has lagged way behind in the story department recently. And the fact that you’ve got 40 yo’s playing in their 20’s doesn’t help. I loved the fact that they made smart peculiar people fun. Like most TV shows, there will be satisfactory ending. My guess is Penny and Amy will be pregnant, and Raj will find yet another woman to obsess over.
I’ve always enjoyed it. Stereotypes. Yep. It was a sitcom. It was fun. It’s had it’s hey day. Time to be done, I think.
This was just the corniest show and I could never get into it no matter how many of my friends would talk about it at lunch or whatever. I’ve just never been into geek culture or humor despite (or maybe because of) being in tech for my whole adult life. Ah well.
Raj is straight? That’s a surprise.
I came to think of “BBT” as a spiritual successor to “The Odd Couple,” a sitcom that I feel helped teach me about stage comedy, back when I first got interested in performing.
Both are populated by archetypes and stereotypes, which has been the meat and potatoes of comedic entertainment since Plautus. And that’s not going away any time soon.
We stuck through the show for about six years, then dropped off. The formula became comfortably familiar, then slightly tedious. Despite the occasionally excellent stunt-cast guest stars. I might check back into it now that we have CBSAA for a little while longer.
One of the worst shows ever, parading a ton of cliches about humans ever. I can’t say I’m glad to see it go, because that w3ould indicate that I cared what happens to these folks.
They make smart peculiar people look like cardboard cutouts.
Was a big fan when it was just the boys. Hearing their stories about PhDs and projects and moonshots was fun.
But then the girls turned up. And then it became about sex. And whilst they were still nerds, it lost its “science-ness”.
As they say about some bands, “I like their old stuff better than their new…”