tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179795275664264195.post8632524617595472541..comments2024-01-27T20:23:45.771+00:00Comments on Sulci Collective: TV Comedy & "The Big Bang Theory"Sulci Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03293833259808943096noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179795275664264195.post-12409870182282072062013-04-29T01:58:29.626+01:002013-04-29T01:58:29.626+01:00I'm not as kind as you are. I was into Big Ban...I'm not as kind as you are. I was into Big Bang Theory for a few episodes and then lost interest. At first I thought it was because they spent more time doing "drama nerds" than "science nerds" -- and a show about drama nerds is totally cool if it works, but don't call them science nerds.<br /><br />Then I went on vacation to New York City with a friend, and we shared a hotel room that was only large enough to have a bunk bed. I had top bunk and she had the bottom bunk, and she was watching TV one night while I read a book. She watched several sitcoms in a row, including BBT, and it finally clicked: this show has all the same beats, all the time "laugh gaps", that any sitcom made since Ozzy and Harriet does. It's so so worried about "alienating" potential audience that it gets watered down to... everything else. There's the odd mention of centripetal force, and people regularly wear t-shirts you'd have to be a nerd to know, but the scripting and conflicts are just plain old sitcom.<br /><br />And... maybe that's why I mostly watch dramas. Dramas can have verve and intelligence and funny bits -- sitcoms rarely manage any of that.Katherine Hajerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08270232675026751342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179795275664264195.post-34516239041721543552013-04-28T19:46:29.730+01:002013-04-28T19:46:29.730+01:00American network television is something of a dyin...American network television is something of a dying beast - it has to compete with cable and, therefore, have some kind of edge. BBT is one of those programs that continues to appeal to young men because of its 'edgy' (read: childish) humor, so it survives where others fail (and 'Nerdism' is a bit of a 'thing' here). <br /><br />That BBT is considered one of the 'top' shows tells you just how bad our television really is (and who it caters to). Dijeratichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12986680442575436037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179795275664264195.post-80691955260922299602013-04-28T19:19:55.456+01:002013-04-28T19:19:55.456+01:00Spot on DJ, but the show I presume must have its h...Spot on DJ, but the show I presume must have its hordes of fans since it is in something like it's 8th series?<br /><br />If the British show "Not Going Out" ever hits your TV screens over there on the West Coast, please don't expose your eyes to it or you will throw your TV out of the window. The stupidity of the characters is breathtaking, but that of the women is even greater. Ugh...Sulci Collectivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03293833259808943096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179795275664264195.post-60995154553097334352013-04-28T19:02:25.635+01:002013-04-28T19:02:25.635+01:00Big Bang Theory is one of those programs that reli...Big Bang Theory is one of those programs that relies heavily on the insult factor in order to succeed (no one goes unshamed), and this 'insult factor' is used to excuse the other, more blatant excesses of the show - which it shouldn't.<br /><br />Sheldon is a great character (or was, I stopped watching the show ages ago) whose 'issues' have been misused by the writers/producers to keep the insult factor high (as you point out). Because he is so 'problematic' we have to 'laugh off' his behavior since it is so - superficially - outrageous. <br /><br />My issues with the show stems from how that insult factor is abused through the male characters who act, at times in blatantly sexist and racist ways. I don't know many women who can relate to this program since the main female lead is written as a 'dumb blond' type who is put down for her lack of education, among other things. The show has introduced other women to the show (all of them, without fail, variations on the nerd dream girl and all of them sexually open - including Sheldon's brilliant mother).<br /><br />This too, is 'excused' as the lads are NERDS, and therefore GOOD. They aren't over-muscled jocks or pot-smoking bikers. They are the 'ideal' boyfriends because they are intelligent and kind of silly and therefore, love-able. The women, too, are nerds of a sort and, therefore, perfect for the male leads and also love-able. <br /><br />I've no idea who relates to this, actually. SF fans who like that they collect comic books and name check shows like Doctor Who? <br />Dijeratichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12986680442575436037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179795275664264195.post-44097113256689587362013-04-28T17:56:17.867+01:002013-04-28T17:56:17.867+01:00Thanks Yvonne. I was at college with Tom Hollander...Thanks Yvonne. I was at college with Tom Hollander who plays the lead in Rev and he is a very talented actor. But the comedy I find just a shade light in the programme. I don't know "Getting On" so shall check that out. I've never got on with "The Thick Of It" as clever as it undoubtedly is, I just didn't find myself slipping into its embrace.<br /><br />Sulci Collectivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03293833259808943096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179795275664264195.post-9497770165826699702013-04-28T17:13:44.416+01:002013-04-28T17:13:44.416+01:00I've enjoyed Rev, The Thick of It (more satire...I've enjoyed Rev, The Thick of It (more satire than sitcom I guess) and Getting On. Yvonne (@Whyjay99)noreply@blogger.com