Big Bang Theory hit CBS in September 2007, with most imdb fans raving about its hilarity and cuteness. The show centers around two physicists—Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki), two engineers—Rajesh (Kunal Nayyar) and Howard (Simon Helberg), and their attractive neighbor, Penny (Kaley Cuoco). The humor focuses on nerd-culture jokes—D&D, comic books, Nintendo, the physical structure of the universe—and the inability of either Penny to understand them, or them to understand girls.
Main Characters
Sheldon is the most awkward of the four. A condescending perfectionist of strict habit, he is both hard to cooperate with and hard to find anything in common with. He and Penny butt heads more than anyone on the show because she is the most down-to-earth and he is the most removed. This does not bother him, however, because he does not generally display interest in girls unless he finds them intellectually equal to him (which he rarely does).
Leonard, Sheldon’s roommate, is more approachable and more interested in people in general than Sheldon is. While being less awkward, he still finds it hard to attract good-looking women like Penny, who dated him for a short time in the first season but couldn’t make it work. Leonard continues to show a kind spirit though, and will generally help a friend in need if he can.
Rajesh is more hormonally charged, but less confident, than Leonard. He can barely speak directly to a woman, but he’ll be the second person to guess what color her underwear is (Howard would be the first). Rajesh and Howard like engaging in more lecherous conversations and activities (like Googlemapping the address of a house of models). But, they can’t resist indulging in other “nerdcore” activities like the Renaissance Faire and invisible laser chess.
Howard keeps the debauchery going, though ironically, he still lives with his loud mother (which provides hilariously awkward moments when he brings women into his bedroom). Second to Penny, he is the least tolerable of Sheldon. Though he is very intelligent, he also has a poor sense of priorities, which puts him in trouble when he must take care of the Mars Rover and cover up for his damages.
Finally, Penny is the attractive neighbor who lives alone, works as a waitress, and finds rewarding friendship (albeit sometimes awkward) in the four men. While they don’t speak the same language, they help each other whenever they can and care for each other. At one point they help her increase productivity for an independent craft business, and she does not understand what is going on, but she is thankful for the help.
Geek and Awkward Humor
The shenanigans of the past two seasons include sparks between Sheldon and Leonard’s mom, prank wars between Sheldon and Penny, a female string-theory physicist jumping from Leonard to Howard, and a train ride with Summer Glau.
Filled with geek humor and fun plotlines, Big Bang Theory has been a success so far.
