“The Big Bang Theory”, A Television Sitcom
Chris Rea
Communication Studies 303
California State University, Chico
Ms. Ferrari
November 7, 2012
(Rough Draft)
Abstract
Since the “The Big Bang Theory” (which I’ll refer to as ‘TBBT’ throughout this paper) first aired in the highly anticipated 2007 Fall Season on CBS (television station) it has grown astronomically in ratings and viewer loyalty, including myself to the viewership of millions per episode—a show that is of course a comedy sitcom focused on NERDS! I believe that TBBT shifts today’s stereotypes that nerds are socially awkward and inadequate members of society, to the fact that they’re truly brilliant, quite funny and actually more ‘normal’ than current society depicts them to be. In today’s society where most television entertainment is more focused on beauty over brains, TBBT explores and highlights the humor depicted by the main character’s impulses, quirks and social interactions. Nevertheless, TBBT puts nerds in a new light!
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A Critique of:
“The Big Bang Theory”, A Television Sitcom
Introduction
As stated beforehand, I believe that TBBT shifts today’s stereotypes that nerds are socially awkward and inadequate members of society, to the fact that they’re truly brilliant, quite funny and actually more ‘normal’ than current society depicts them to be. Ever since the show premiered in Fall Season of 2007, it’s steadily increased it’s ranking, viewer loyalty and influence on today’s society. * How so? * Why does it matter? * What’s the BIG picture? * How is TBBT different from other sitcoms?
A bit of background on the show, if you haven’t seen a single episode or know it as well as I do…The show is centered on five characters: roommates Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper, two physicists employed at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech); Penny, a waitress and aspiring actress who lives across the hall; and Leonard and
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