The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular sitcoms of its time. But with a little distance it becomes clear that the series has always been extremely problematic and has by no means aged well.
A comment from Gregor Elsholz
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The laughter is deafening. It feels like every time one of the characters says something, the studio audience of The Big Bang Theory bursts into laughter, as if none of those present had ever heard a joke before. Of course, other sitcoms also have a laugh track, but in TBBT it particularly stands out because many elements of the series have aged so poorly that the laughter gets stuck in your throat.
TBBT: Hit sitcom is just embarrassing today
Of course, comedy is subjective and it is debatable whether simply mentioning pop culture terms like “Star Wars”, “Spock” or “Tardis” are enough as joke punchlines. Likewise, viewers who have never seen a sitcom probably won't be bothered by the countless tired clichés in TBBT, all of which have been better implemented by better series before.
After all, humor is when you laugh anyway, but in The Big Bang Theory the “nevertheless” is also something else depressing mix of sexism, homophobia and racism, which leaves a bitter aftertaste in many episodes. The four nerds Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj are supposed to be quirky and lovable come along, but instead always reveal toxic personalities, which the series either presents as a joke or doesn't comment on at all.
There are endless examples of these moments – Sheldon consistently exploits his assistant and calls a black supervisor a slave, Raj and Howard harass women in several episodes and feel insulted in their masculinity, when they are described as homosexual. Leonard allows all of this to happen and in turn participates without hesitation in the racist and anti-Semitic jokes that are made in the group about Raj and Howard.
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The Big Bang Theory: Nerds without a heart
The central problem with The Big Bang Theory is that the main characters in the series are incredibly unlikeable. While Sheldon's unbridled arrogance and egoism are elevated to the level of an art form, Howard defines himself, especially in the first few seasons, as a wannabe pickup artist, who systematically lies to and tricks women. Raj, on the other hand, is a rich mama's boy who is consistently ruthless, controlling, self-absorbed and cocky towards others. Leonard is the most socially acceptable of the four characters, but he is not only boring, but extremely whiny and, in several cases, easily jealous.
Despite these character traits, the nerds throughout the series constantly see themselves as victims of mainstream society, which does not understand their hobbies and does not give them enough recognition or sexual opportunities. Howard and Raj in particular use this as an excuse for their behavioral outbursts, which they primarily act out towards women. It's kind of a blueprint for that frustrated arguments in every toxic internet troll thread.
The Big Bang Theory is an ultra-conservative series
The values and views that The Big Bang Theory conveys over 12 seasons are clumsy conservative platitudes. The characters often accompany their sexist and racist jokes, which are made about Leonard's girlfriend Penny as well as Sheldon and Raj's sisters, with a knowing wink – and thus avoid having to challenge and question them.
It is a series that seems to look at the social status quo in the USA from the perspective of outsiders and leads them to conclude that the system works wonderfully. Non-US Americans are consistently portrayed as strange exotics and the traditional family image as the ultimate, which culminates in Penny suddenly being pregnant in the last season, even though she had previously insisted several times that she didn't want children – but about the stereotypical families -End, she of course has no freedom of choice in this matter.
For a sitcom that revolves around four geniuses from an alternative subculture, is TBBT a strikingly socially narrow-minded series, which also makes fun of the physical and mental weaknesses of outsiders, while the audience bawls and loses their minds with every thigh slap. Bazinga.