The Big Bang Theory and the Revenge of the Geeks
On a very basic level, the CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory could be dismissed as just another cookie-cutter sitcom adrift in a sea of other cookie-cutter sitcoms, replete with an overdone premise and the requisite laugh track. But if you dig a little deeper, what you see on the surface is not what you get inside. While not groundbreaking in style or original in concept, The Big Bang Theory still manages to rise above the mediocrity of network television sitcoms to be both genuine and funny, a true rarity in recent years.
The series revolves around two brilliant scientists, Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter. While Sheldon is the underlying star of the show—his mannerisms and delivery style are what Emmy nominations are made of—it is Leonard who is the rock of the show. Although not as brilliant, nor as neurotic, as Sheldon, he is still a geek, but one who wishes to rise above his status in life. Enter Penny, the hot-and-hip female who lives across the hall. Leonard inevitably develops a fixation with her that is more than merely sexual: he truly yearns for Penny, despite the fact they come from different worlds.
Despite there being an obvious attraction between them, the relationship between Leonard and Penny is prevented from blossoming because of perceived personal obstacles. Could someone as physically attractive as Penny ever really care for a geek such as Leonard? And on the flip side, could anyone as intelligent as Leonard every really love a mere high school graduate who works as a waitress at the Cheesecake Factory?
The Big Bang Theory Season One: Sheldon Speak
The Big Bang Theory has the simplified plotline of an attractive girl-of-the-world living next door to two highly intelligent, yet socially awkward, male geeks. While the comic fodder is self-evident and ripe for parody, the series has the added benefit in the character of Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), who takes the phrases “highly intelligent,” “socially awkward” and “geek” to new heights. With an ego that matches his IQ, Sheldon often drives much of the show’s humor, not only through his actions but through his words as well. Call it “Sheldon-Speak,” a combination of personal opinion and scientific observation, coupled with wit and geekness.
“If influenza was only contagious after symptoms appear it would have died out thousands of years ago. Somewhere between tool-using and cave-painting, homo habilis would have figured out to kill the guy with the runny nose.”
The Big Bang Theory Season Two: Sheldon Speak
Sheldon Cooper continues to exhibit his distinctive wit and worldly perspective in the second season of the CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory. While classic one-liners continue to be a staple of Sheldon Speak, longer soliloquies that play to character’s tremendous intelligence and ego are mixed into the season as well. But just like season one, the best dialogue centers on discourses involving science fiction and comic books.
In an early episode, for example, Sheldon refers to fellow scientist Leslie Winkle as his arch enemy: “The Dr. Doom to my Mr. Fantastic. The Dr. Octopus to my Spider-Man. The Dr. Sivana to my Captain Marvel. You know, it’s amazing how many super villains have advanced degrees. Graduate schools should probably do a better job of screening those people out.”
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