For those who remember sitting down to watch one of the first episodes of The Big Bang Theory, you’d have never guessed the show would run for as long as it has, nor would you guess it would ever become the #1 sitcom on TV. And Emmy Awards? Never. If you were to bet on these things back in the day, they would have been bad bets, because the show…well, it wasn’t good. Ironically, it is so successful because it is mindless television. And here are the 10 worst things about it.
10. It’s Not Funny
Pulling the filed labeled, “Most Obvious,” let’s address the fact that this show isn’t funny. The jokes aren’t even jokes. At this point, the writing team is so lazy they rely on terrible laughs from a terrible laugh track. There are more than a few videos available in which the laugh track has been pulled from the scene, and these are examples of the horror. If you’re under the impression that a situation comedy should be full of comedy in order to be wildly successful, you’re wrong. We could beat this dead horse for hours, but we’ll leave it at this: watch an episode and see how many references to “geek” culture are used in lieu of jokes. Characters will say things that make no sense, but they’ll toss in keywords like Game of Thrones, Star Trek, any scientific term…cue the laugh track.
9. The Cast Is Overpaid
Corporations advertising on this show are being taken to the cleaners. Forget what the numbers say. This show is nowhere near the popularity of Friends or Seinfeld back in the day. Heck, it doesn’t even scratch the surface of a classic like Cheers, and yet three cast members are scoring a million dollars per episode, and the other two fake scientists score $750,000 per episode. The thing that really hurts? These folks will make these salaries for a total of 72 episodes (if you swore out loud, you’re forgiven). Ultimately, we’re happy for actors who fight for their fair share from producers, but when you’re committing such a crime against humanity with a show that is so insulting to the very idea of a sitcom, shouldn’t you be responsible for more good in the world other than Kaley Cuoco’s ex-husband scoring some incredible alimony?
8. Emmys Encourage More
Who the hell is voting on these Emmy Awards? We’re gonna go waaaaaay out on limb and suggest that the Emmy voters are enjoying stellar treatment from The Big Bang Theory production team. Chuck Lorre must be sending special care packages to the nominating committees and the members of the Emmy voting community. There is nothing that makes sense about a show like this beating out the likes of Modern Family for the best comedy on TV—and that’s just one example. In the realm of the television sitcom, the fact that any multi-camera studio show would beat a show that is shooting single-camera style and telling a story in a much more cinematic manner is absurd. Enough technical talk. These Emmy Awards are merely encouraging more television in the vein of The Big Bang Theory. It is unnecessary. Stop with the Emmys.
7. Jim Parsons Playing Jim Parsons
Do you remember when Jim Parsons made his first memorable appearance in the world of film and television? Think hard. He was dressed up like a knight—a knight in armor. He was eating cereal…another star of television was in the mix. That’s right, Zach Braff’s Garden State. Jim played the role of Tim, who was romantically involved with Jean Smart’s character, despite their age difference. Ever notice the difference of Jim Parsons playing Tim in Garden State, and Jim Parsons playing Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory? Yes, that’s a trick question, because there is no difference. The tone of the two productions leads to subtle differences, but ultimately we’re getting Jim Parsons doing Jim Parsons. Now, Jim is a charming dude, but we’re starting to think it’s impossible to pull the guy from center. Jim’s response? “One million per, folks.”
6. Science Is Easy to Misunderstand
Do people really laugh at the scientific content of The Big Bang Theory? What is funny about the jokes that involve a misunderstanding of science? There may be no group more insulted by this show than actual scientists who spend their days in a lab working toward definitive science: understanding. Again with the irony: this show is unscientific and misses on so many things it’s irritating over funny. Maybe that’s the whole point of the show? Social science? Chuck Lorre, the writers and the cast reading posts like this and laughing to themselves hysterically? That could be a funny show: watching the cast watch a group of people at home trying to watch their show on TV, and laughing at how the people are laughing because the laugh track cued them. Back to the point: work in any science is hard—arduous, even. This show poorly satirizes the world.
5. Every Character Is a Caricature
Take a peek above and notice the byline of this post. Now, please allow yours truly to break protocol for one moment and editorialize to the definitive degree. Yes, I’m going to address you fine readers in first person. Can I explain to you how annoying it is to introduce yourself to someone in Los Angeles and have them say, “Oh. Sheldon. Like The Big Bang Theory!?” No. Not like The Big Bang Theory. The characters on this show are so one-dimensional, they don’t even possess the depth of a 1930s comic. More texture has been offered to asbestos insulation than has been to any one of the characters on this show. It’s like Chuck Lorre took the cast to Six Flags Magic Mountain one weekend and had them sit for a carnival artists, who drew caricatures of each of the actors, and then Chuck said, “Here’s your inspiration.”
4. Wil Wheaton Story Line
What is happening here? Producers couldn’t afford to offer Wil Wheaton a real contract and write the guy a character to portray in the show, so they have him play himself, and then write him poorly? Newsflash! Wil Wheaton isn’t a well-known celebrity! Sure, he’s big in Trekkie circles, but honestly, why not be more clever with the writing and offer Sheldon a nemesis who is played by Wil Wheaton, and is constantly making fun of Star Trek? Some may argue that Wil Wheaton has been one of the better things about The Big Bang Theory, and who are we to argue with such an important perspective; however, the episodes in which he appeared: awkward. As if the timing and pacing of this show wasn’t bad enough. Trying to inject Wil into the mix and hoping for instant chemistry? Just another scientific mistake.
3. It’s Actually Insulting To Your Intelligence
Did you know that watching shows like this will make you dumber? It’s mindless television. Even shows like CSI: Wherever offer a little something to your noodle, regardless of how easy the puzzles are to solve. The Big Bang Theory literally regurgitates a bunch of scientific terms and faux nerd speak to the point people think they’re hearing well-developed thoughts (and comedy). It’s not. It’s not even close. Let’s offer an original example. Imagine Sheldon and Amy are going to a big science awards thing, and Sheldon compliments his lovely lady (Mayim Bialik) on her eye shadow. Instead of saying, “I really love the color of your eye shadow,” he would say, “I am most intrigued by the decorative hues you’ve laid upon your subcutaneously thin eye revealers.” Why not say, “Hey audience, see that 18 pound sledge hammer in the corner? Hit yourself in the face with it!”
2. Johnny Galecki’s Sell Out
This one hurts. It. Hurts. Johnny Galecki is a talented dude. We imagine Johnny was planning his exit strategy when producers offered three more years, and he said to his agent, “Counter with an offer they’ll never accept, so I can be done with this trite.” Then the producers said yes. And now, John is a sell out. No, we don’t fault him. Who wouldn’t take and make $72 million over three years!? He can do whatever he wants next, and even lasso us back in with something he has written, directed and self-funded for that matter. But…it still hurts. It hurts when the guy you knew and loved in the early 1990s for playing Rusty in Christmas Vacation, and David on Roseanne, does something as bad as The Big Bang Theory for soooooo long. We need the goods next time around, John.
1. No Fans Actually Exist
How does Chuck Lorre do it time and time again? He creates a show that climbs to the top of the ratings, is declared the #1 show on television and eventually goes on to win multiple awards—this includes The Big Bang Theory. But in the case of The Big Bang Theory, you’re hard-pressed to meet a real fan. Chuck is one of television’s living legends, and several of his shows were groundbreaking TV sitcoms, but the last two that enjoyed time on CBS…? We’re dumbfounded. Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory defy all contemporary TV logic. And somehow, three members of The Big Bang Theory cast are raking in a million per episode. Have you met a fan? Like…a legitimate, never-miss-an-episode fan? And yet, CBS keeps ordering more episodes.
