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Tbbt
A Critique of:
“The Big Bang Theory”, A Television Sitcom
Chris Rea
Communication Studies 303
California State University, Chico
Ms. Ferrari
November 7, 2012
(Rough Draft)

Abstract
Since the “The Big Bang Theory” (which I’ll refer to as ‘TBBT’ throughout this paper) first aired in the highly anticipated 2007 Fall Season on CBS (television station) it has grown astronomically in ratings and viewer loyalty, including myself to the viewership of millions per episode—a show that is of course a comedy sitcom focused on NERDS! I believe that TBBT shifts today’s stereotypes that nerds are socially awkward and inadequate members of society, to the fact that they’re truly brilliant, quite funny and actually more ‘normal’ than current society depicts them to be. In today’s society where most television entertainment is more focused on beauty over brains, TBBT explores and highlights the humor depicted by the main character’s impulses, quirks and social interactions. Nevertheless, TBBT puts nerds in a new light!
[page break]

A Critique of:
“The Big Bang Theory”, A Television Sitcom
Introduction
As stated beforehand, I believe that TBBT shifts today’s stereotypes that nerds are socially awkward and inadequate members of society, to the fact that they’re truly brilliant, quite funny and actually more ‘normal’ than current society depicts them to be. Ever since the show premiered in Fall Season of 2007, it’s steadily increased it’s ranking, viewer loyalty and influence on today’s society. * How so? * Why does it matter? * What’s the BIG picture? * How is TBBT different from other sitcoms?
A bit of background on the show, if you haven’t seen a single episode or know it as well as I do…The show is centered on five characters: roommates Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper, two physicists employed at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech); Penny, a waitress and aspiring actress who lives across the hall; and Leonard and



References: 1. Adalain, Josef. (2009). “CBS Sitcoms Thrive, Fueling Studios, Synide” (Cover Story). Television Weekly, Issue 28.7 (1-22). Academic Search Premiere. Retreived October 15, 2012 via the web. 2. Bednark, M. (2012) “Constructing “Nerdiness’: Characterization in The Big Bang Theory”. Issue 31 (2-3). Multilingua. 3. Kelly, C. (2011). “Nerd Rising”. Texas Monthly. Issue 39 (79-84). 4. Kuhn, Sarah. (2008). “Chaos Theory”. Back Stage East. Issue 49.35 (9). Business Source Premiere. Retrieved October 15, 2012 via the web. 5. Legget, Scott. (2007). “The Big Bang Theory”. Back Stage East. Issue 48.35 (28). Business Source Premiere. Retrieved October 15, 2012 via the web. 6. Rice, L. (2012). “Making a Bigger Bang” (Cover Story). Entertainment Weekly. Issue 1226 (26). Academic Source. 7. Steinberg, John. (2012). “The Big Bang Theory: Are Leonard & Penny just another Rachel & Ross?”. International Business Times. Issue 1984 (2). Regional Business News. Retrieved October 13, 2012 via the web. 8. Thomas, M. (2012). “Funny Memes, The Humor of the Nerds & Geeks”. International Business Times. Issue 1986 (20-21). Regional Business News. Retreived October 14, 2012 via the web. 9. Vaughn, Shirley. (2012). Theory in Language Studies. Volume 2, No. 6 (1185-1190). 10. Unknown. (Updated in 2012). “The Big Bang Theory” (Re: Sitcom Television Series). Wikipedia. (1-23). Retrieved November 4, 2012 via the web.

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