The Big Bang Theory?

[PsychedelicDiamond]

I think Chuck Lorres Shows, be it Two and a half man or Big Bang Theory are about as generic as sitcoms can be. The characters are generic, the plotlines are generic, the jokes are generic. It's probably some kind of feat to come up with something that bland. I don't find it offensive like some people do. While i'm probably what you'd call a nerd i don't have a lot of love for nerd culture. I mean, it's just not like i'm proud enough of being bad with women, liking obscure media and having a bad fashion sense to feel offended when someone makes fun of those things. Even when he's not very good at it.

 

[Palmerama]

I must be in the minority here by saying that I really like the Big Bang Theory! Granted some of the newer episodes anren't as good as the old ones but its still enjoyable and alot more funny than alot of the crap out there! Especially on American TV! I think the character of Sheldon is brilliantly portrayed and in my & my housemates opinion is a new incarnation of Niles from Frasier! Leonard & Penny are definately the weekest charaters! The Raj & Howard combo is always funny!

 

[lacktheknack]

No idea what happened to you. I heard of it when it first started, and it never left my radar. People kept talking about it all the way through high school (partly because my Chemistry teach is a Dutch version of Sheldon), and then it exploded in popularity around here shortly after leaving high school.

I guess it's OK. I refuse to watch it on principal because people kept telling me that I would be able to "sympathize" with it.

 

[Dense_Electric]

I don't know how you managed to avoid it for so long, it's been fairly persistent throughout it's run.

As for all the hate it seems to get online, I don't understand that either. Personally, I think it's hilarious (at least the first three seasons were, recently the show seems to be going downhill into a self-aware parody of itself). Someone's going to have to explain to me just what they hate about it so much.

 

[Laughing Man]

As someone who thinks the early series were brilliant, and also hates most attempts at sitcoms and comedy shows in general, I'd be interested to know what good television I've missed out on.

Black Adder
Bottom
Young Ones
Black Books
Father Ted

Just to name a few,

as for this topic, wow if there were any other way to pull the 'we hate it because it is popular' crowd out of the woodwork then this topic is it. For the record I like TBBT, the shows I listed above blow it out of the water in just about every way but it's still a decent enough show on it's own merits, considering it's American.

Edit

how the hell could I forget Red Dwarf and better yet the new season is just round the corner.

 

[BENZOOKA]

It's an alright mildly-funny sitcom, that has its moments. It's got a way different scenario, or a theme, than the rest of them so that's refreshing at least. That's about it.

As it happens, I've watched every episode of it, but don't keep them. Besides the newest to know where I'm going.

If I want to watch something that is easy to follow and can offer a few smiles and a laugh or two, that's what I pick.

 

[Relish in Chaos]

Yes, Friends was cool, but it's HIMYM set in the 90s with references I don't always get because I was still a child at the time.

I don't understand your point. Yeah, How I Met Your Mother is similar to Friends, but it came after it and is by no means better. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent sitcom (although some gags fall flat) with some interesting storylines and Barney's just great. But if there were references you didn't always get because you were a child at the time, you could just, I dunno, watch it again, now that you're an adult?

 

[Relish in Chaos]

I still think Malcom in the Middle was the best sitcom in America...that's not saying much, is it?

Oh yeah, I forgot about Malcolm in the Middle. Brilliant sitcom. Scrubs is my favourite sitcom: funniest bunch of characters I?ve seen in a sitcom, unique setting, thoughtful plot.

And I don?t really get people?s hatred for laugh tracks, as long as they?re used well and aren?t overused like in The Big Bang Theory. With some sitcoms, it?d just feel weird without them. Take Friends or My Family as examples.

Another good sitcom: The Office. No, the original UK version. Oh, and The Inbetweeners. Fucking hilarious and, unlike many other sitcoms, it knew where to stop, with three series and a fittingly conclusive film.

Sometimes that can be the problem with many sitcoms: longevity. People can get tired of the characters, the jokes can get stale, and the creators don't realize that it has a sell-by date and keep trying to milk the dead cow for all it's worth. That's why Friends started going downhill in its last couple of series (along with how they dragged out Ross X Rachel), that's why Scrubs' final series (which I officially ignore) couldn't even be saved by the brilliance of Dr. Cox. Basically, they should know their limits.

I still think Malcom in the Middle was the best sitcom in America...that's not saying much, is it?

Oh yeah, I forgot about Malcolm in the Middle. Brilliant sitcom. Scrubs is my favourite sitcom: funniest bunch of characters I?ve seen in a sitcom, unique setting, thoughtful plot.

And I don?t really get people?s hatred for laugh tracks, as long as they?re used well and aren?t overused like in The Big Bang Theory. With some sitcoms, it?d just feel weird without them. Take Friends or My Family as examples.

Another good sitcom: The Office. No, the original UK version. Oh, and The Inbetweeners. Fucking hilarious and, unlike many other sitcoms, it knew where to stop, with three series and a fittingly conclusive film.

Sometimes that can be the problem with many sitcoms: longevity. People can get tired of the characters, the jokes can get stale, and the creators don't realize that it has a sell-by date and keep trying to milk the dead cow for all it's worth. That's why Friends started going downhill in its last couple of series (along with how they dragged out Ross X Rachel), that's why Scrubs' final series (which I officially ignore) couldn't e

 

[Eamar]

I had no idea it was so hated... personally I've really enjoyed it since series 1 and I show no signs of going off it any time soon.

I've never found it "offensive" to nerds as some people seem to see it :/ Sure there are some cringy jokes, but to be honest I've usually been able to see the truth behind it (I'm British, we're into self-deprecatory humour) or recognise that they're exaggerating a stereotype.

Whatever, I think it's hilarious.

 

[Relish in Chaos]

I was just wondering what the consensus here is on British humour vs. American humour.

 

[CODE-D]

Because people are idiots and want to feel theyre watching a "smart" comedy.

 

[Thaliur]

I personally don't see the magic that everyone else seems to be getting. All I saw in the few episodes I watched was an extreme exaggeration of nerd/geek culture centered around characters representing the most stereotypical nerd/geek roles I have ever seen. What about you guys?

I share your opinion on the show. As far as "geek comedy" is concerned, it appears impossible for other shows to at least get close to The IT crowd (UK), or, to a lesser extent, Coupling (also UK, the US version sucks).

 

[AstylahAthrys]

I like the show. It's had it's ups and downs, and I think there was a period a season or two ago where it was pretty rough, but I enjoy it. Yeah, I've gone "that's wrong" a few times and it's not the smartest thing ever, but I like it more than most other things on TV, but I really don't like sitcoms that much. Not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but I get a couple laughs out of it. I think some nerds, not all, but some, might feel like they're being made fun of, and that's why they don't like it, and I think that's silly, but I can understand that it's not appealing someone's sense of humor completely.

Also, I don't even notice the laugh tracks. How strange.

 

[Kingjackl]

I think it's always been a popular show, although they do tend to spring up on people who aren't paying attention. I remember discovering Top Gear in 2009 and thinking "how the hell did I miss this?"

As far as comedy goes, it's definately above average for an American sitcom, with no shortage of funny moments (even if they seem to rerun the same 12 episodes every month). I do think it's hilarious that the only people I've seen who actively hate it are other nerds, presumably uncomfortable with the fact that it hits a little bit close to home. I even heard one geeky guy I know complain that the show is too 'unrealistic'. I'm not sure what he meant by that, but I presume it was "I'm secretly pissed off because all the geeks on this show get so much more sex than I do."

 

[miketehmage]

I like it. I do sometimes cringe because of how stereotypical it can be, and it is starting to get a bit stale now, but I do enjoy the show.

Some of us can look past the fact that they get the references wrong you know?

 

[Xannidel]

I watched the first 4 seasons and I loved them all. I have yet to see the 5th episodes but i am sure I will see it sooner or later. I personally do not see how people can get offended by this show, it has some nerd humor in it also with some romance and all in all a nice show. I will admit Penny can be a little annoying at times but she is also needed on the show to kind of appeal to those who do not get all the things that Sheldon is talking about.

 

[Strain42]

Here's how I've always seen Big Bang Theory.

It is a stupid show about smart people. Which isn't good.

Then take a show like Community which is a smart show about stupid people.

The latter is always better.

Also, I don't mind shows with laugh tracks, some of my favorite shows of all time have had laugh tracks. The problem is when it becomes over-abused and removing it would actually remove about half of the episode.

My thing with BBT is that I refuse to clap and smile just because somebody references something I care about. If a character I can't stand makes a Firefly reference...it's still a character I can't stand.

 

[lord.jeff]

The main characters are unlikable and most the jokes are just hey look we know about this show, I get more laughs browsing thinkgeek's tshirts.

 

[KingHodor]

snip

By the way - and this is COMPLETELY off topic - did you get your user name from Hodor from GOT/ASOIAF?

Yup, ASoIAF (i.e. the books). First used it ages ago when we were having 8-player Halo LAN matches on our Xboxes.
As a fellow speaker of the German language, you are probably aware of the humoristic value of the similarity between the name and the German word for "testicles".

Also, just for kicks, I liked to imagine Hodor always speaking his name with clean pronunciation and full of gravitas. Then a few weeks ago, I noticed that whoever was responsible for the abysmal German dub of GoT apparently had the same idea.

 

[OriginalLadders]

I may be biased since I actually enjoy the show, along with Scrubs, Malcolm in the Middle, Frasier and Seinfeld. Also I'm of the opinion that the vast majority of American (and British, for that matter) sitcoms are unbearable drivel. Make of that what you will.

I haven't read the entire thread but I've noticed two general trends; those who dislike the show will point out flaws that are common to nearly all sitcoms, call the show shit and say that anyone who likes it is an idiot, whereas those who like the show will say that it's not brilliant but highly enjoyable and that the flaws that have been pointed out are common to nearly all sitcoms.

The latter view seems much more reasonable to me.