Diversity On The Show

Overall, the show does not challenge stereotypes, but instead uses them as a platform for humor. The bold message conveyed is that smart people are awkward and pretty people are not smart (with the exception of Bernadette who is pretty and has a doctorate). The elitist flaws of characters like Sheldon provide contrast to his intelligence, so that he is flawed in some capacity which makes him someone we would not want to emulate. Likewise, Penny is attractive, but her professional failures and lack of intelligence also make her flawed and someone we would not want to emulate. The lack of diversity on the show, and the frequent representation of other races as nothing more than stereotypes does nothing to improve societal perceptions based on