Big Bang Theory: Worst Thing on TV or Just the Unfunniest Thing on TV? Discuss.

[Lumenskir]

Pretty much what the title says.

It Is Clearly The Worst
Exhibit A - The Problem With The Big Bang Theory

The humour in The Big Bang theory relies on the audience siding with and relating to Penny, the character coded as “normal” in comparison to the main four guys. It also relies on the audience having a sense of superiority over Leonard, Raj, Sheldon and Howard. We’re supposed to feel like we’re cooler than them and that we’re better than them. This then prompts us to laugh at the things which make them nerdy, which stop them being cool, which make them lesser. This is done, in my opinion, to stop them from seeming intimidating. It’s essentially Chuck Lorre saying “Don’t worry, these guys may have fancy degrees, they may be more successful and more intelligent than you but they like sci-fi and read comics. They’re socially awkward and can’t speak to girls. You’re much cooler than they are so you’re still better than them.”

Exhibit B - Ok, this is probably covered by the subtext of the link above, but I think a specific example speaks volumes:

So, there's an episode where the nerds get a box of movie memorabilia. In the box is the authentic ring prop used in the Lord of the Rings movies. The nerds basically spend the whole episode fighting over it.

In the middle of the episode, the girl comes over, sees them fighting over it, and asks what they're fighting over. The nerds have to explain to her what the ring is, and then what Lord of the Rings is.

So, the show wants me to believe that the girl, who is trying to be an actress in Hollywood, has no idea what Lord of the Rings is. You might remember Lord of the Rings as the movie series that made, conservatively, all of the money in the world. It eventually won every Oscar. Literally everyone saw it. But the only joke they could muster was her bafflement at "the Lord of the Rings thing."

Exhibit C - Raj

No, It Is Just The Unfunniest Show on Television

Exhibit A - I like many funny shows. I've watched many episodes of BBT. I've been able to predict exact punchlines based on the lazy setups, I've been able to comprehend why some writer thought it should be seen as funny, but I've never laughed once.

Exhibit B - My douchebag housemate loves it.

Case closed, but extra evidence welcomed.