Thirty Minutes More
After some sampling, the only new prime time show that I watch this (soon to be over) season is The Big Bang Theory. It's not that great, but I guess I have a soft spot for shows about nerds.
posted by LAGuy @ 12:45 AM
Pajama Guy
"You couldn’t have a starker contrast between the multiple layers of checks and balances [at ‘60 Minutes’] and a guy sitting in his living room in his pajamas writing.”
-Jonathan Klein, former CBS Executive
Contributors
Previous Posts
- Washington Behind Closed Doors
- Bringing Up Baby
- Ask Not What Your Product Placement Can Do For You
- Yikes
- Math
- Oh Mandy
- In his hands
- So you say
- That Is The Question
- Prog Talk
4 Comments:
Ditto. "THE BIG BANG THEORY" is the only new show I've viewed more than once, and for the same reason: Nerd Empathy ("Nerdpathy?").
Unfortunately, the weakest thing about this show is the 2 protagonists. Johnny Galecki is seviceable, but doesn't really bring anything special to the table. The same for the "hot" next door neighbor. I put "hot" in quotes because this is the second time this girl has been cast as the to-die-for chick (the other being "8 SIMPLE RULES FOR DATING MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER") and - is it just me? - this girl is about 999 shy of launching 1000 ships.
Another criticism: The series is about 8 episodes in, and already 3 out of the 4 main nerd characters have already been laid. A couple of them by pretty damn good-looking girls. Has Chuck Lorre ever even MET a physics nerd?
So why watch?
Because the supporting nerds... er, cast is so strong.
The Indian guy, and particularly the guy who looks like he's part of a Beatles tribute band - both strong.
But the guy who plays Sheldon (Galecki's uber-nerd roommate) - Jim Parsons - steals the show every time.
Still, only 1/3 of a season in, and my patience is already wearing thin.
The Big Bang this time, it seems, may be an implosion.
Todd
Sheldon is funny but he so clearly reminds me of some young Asperger's syndrome kids I know that I feel guilty. (Of course This is one of the syndromes that may have been invented by the thicker-witted to explain people they don't get)
Of course guilty laughter is best laughter after all
"The series is about 8 episodes in, and already 3 out of the 4 main nerd characters have already been laid."
This is a problem on a lot of shows. The romantic relationship is subject A for comedy (pretty high up there for drama, too) and on TV they want to cut to the chase, so it's not surprising when you get musical beds. However, when the characters wouldn't naturally be getting much action, it's hard to buy.
I first noticed this on The Wonder Years. Kevin Arnold is constantly talking about his troubles with girls, but when you add it up, he had more romantic escapades in junior high than a lot of people get in college.
With some shows, like Seinfeld, you just accept it and move on. But the whole point of Big Bang is about how nerdy they are--one of them can't even speak in front of a woman. I guess anything to get the audience hooked, but it cheapens the show and the characters. ("Hi, this is Chuck Lorre calling from my house of pure gold. How are you enjoying your integrity?")
Perceptive point about "THE WONDER YEARS".
I used to argue pretty much the same thing. I felt there was a lot of story potential to mine with NOT getting girls in Junior High before plunging Kevin into the problems of actually getting them. But my arguments fell on deaf ears - guys in charge with showrunner-type confidence who went to Ivy League schools and couldn't understand how somebody could have trouble approaching the opposite sex in Junior High.
Thanks for opening an old wound.
Though you did provide a nice laugh at the end with your message from Mr. Lorre, so here's the followup:
"Hello, is he in? This is-- yes, I'll hold... Yes, I'm calling to answer his question about-- yes, I'll hold... Hi, listen, I know he's busy so maybe you could just take a-- yes, I'll hold... Hello? Listen, could you call me back? I have an awesome comeback for him about integrity but the fryer's beeping..."
Todd
Post a Comment
<< Home