Poll of the Day > Nerds saying they "didn't like" or "hate" Big Bang Theory.

(+) Yeah! (+)

So I watched a few YT videos on this topic because I thought the show was popular and the idea confozzled me. This is like the 3rd time I've heard this from people online too. I tried watching it a few times myself, but I just didn't jive with the characters. However, I could watch every episode of Seinfeld. (I think that's the part I want to highlight re-reading this.) I loved all the characters so I could enjoy any time they appeared and were in a scene. So I guess what I'm wondering is, do any of you know why some like the show and some hate it? Between the nerd viewing demographics? Any delineation maybe? Is it only certain types of nerds maybe?

Let's take another show I didn't watch much. Family Guy. However, when I see it now and then in clips, I can laugh at it. I mean, I don't love it, but it's funny. But when I watch BBT I never really laugh. So yeah... I guess I just can't relate, but I'm interested in the division of those who do and dont like the show and why since it was so popular for so many years. That's interesting. It almost feels like a culture boundary or something. Seems weird that some nerds hate the show and some love it. Videos mention the show Friends a lot when contrasting the show. But I didn't really follow or like Friends either. It was serviceable. I mean, I could watch it if it was on and kinda get into it, but I wouldn't keep watching it.

Back then I watched X-Files, Sliders, any Star Trek show especially TNG, DB/DBZ, Full House, Martin, Family Matters, A Different World, Fresh Prince, Home Improvement, Lois & Clark, King of The Hill, Beavis & Butthead, The Simpsons. Then anything older than that except MASH. I'd watch even Nick at Nite stuff. But Big Bang Theory just never did it for me. Is it just because I'm older? I mean I like nerdy shit I guess just not that particular kind.

Anyways, I figure you guys might know the simple reason behind it. Maybe you have some good input. People sure are different. When I was a kid I thought there might be a way to please everyone, but if politicians tell us anything, its never more than half at once.

IDK

I enjoyed it, even though I was often compared to Sheldon. It was relatable and cathartic. Though the size of their apartments was ridiculous (actually true for all tv series)

Show isn't realistic.

I didn't like it because the nerd shit they put forward wasn't realistic. One time I watched and they were playing video games together. They were playing Xbox. All standing up and they were holding the controller on the bottom with one hand and using one other hand to smash buttons. Like why? That doesn't even seem intuitive for a new user to try it that way. It looked absurd.

To reinforce my comment about Seinfeld, I was going for a contrast. I meant to say I don't really identify or relate to any of the characters on BBT or Seinfeld, but for some reason, all the characters on Seinfeld are loveable to me. And they never had to grow on me either. They're immediately hilarious like a good comedian at a comedy show.

Just seems odd how one show I completely love and another falls flat. Yet both were extremely popular sitcoms.

Jen0125 posted...

I didn't like it because the nerd shit they put forward wasn't realistic

this

I enjoyed it. Not a fan of Young Sheldon though.

NickMullen posted...

this

They also just threw every stereotypical nerd thing in there. They played WoW, they played Halo, they played D&D, they were Star Wars nerds, they were comic book nerds, etc...

Ok so that's two of you mentioning it not being realistic nerd shit. I heard that from a few of the videos. I guess that makes sense. It seems fake and contrived to you. I can see how that would be off-putting. Kinda like how before Mr. Robot... most hacker depictions never got it right and instead replaced it with surreal visual aids that were meant to hold our hand and dazzle the average viewer.

Oh, if you haven't seen Mr. Robot, here's a clip. Rami Malek is just captivating. Love the dude.
https://youtu.be/QqknSms8VVI

BBT has its moments, but most of what I've seen isn't particularly funny. Two and a Half Men was the better Chuck Lorre show, but I've found that it hasn't aged well (not to mention that it took a nosedive after Charlie Sheen was fired for going berserk).

Straughan posted...

Ok so that's two of you mentioning it not being realistic nerd shit. I heard that from a few of the videos. I guess that makes sense. It seems fake and contrived to you. I can see how that would be off-putting. Kinda like how before Mr. Robot... most hacker depictions never got it right and instead replaced it with surreal visual aids that were meant to hold our hand and dazzle the average viewer.

I've heard the opposite about Mr Robot. That the hacking and networking scenes are very realistic and there's a whole sub culture that analyzes those scenes for Easter eggs

Straughan posted...

Ok so that's two of you mentioning it not being realistic nerd shit. I heard that from a few of the videos. I guess that makes sense. It seems fake and contrived to you. I can see how that would be off-putting. Kinda like how before Mr. Robot... most hacker depictions never got it right and instead replaced it with surreal visual aids that were meant to hold our hand and dazzle the average viewer.

I mean not being realistic was part of it, but to an extent it was also that the fact they did these things was, in itself, the joke rather than making jokes using that as a source that fans of those things would get.

Jen0125 posted...

I've heard the opposite about Mr Robot. That the hacking and networking scenes are very realistic and there's a whole sub culture that analyzes those scenes for Easter eggs

I think that was his point, before Mr Robot portrayals of hacking were bad.

Yeah that's what I meant. I kinda panicked and reread what i wrote. I thought maybe my English was fading. I've noticed a lot more typos lately. I think it's because my phone hates me though.

Never watched it. All the clips I've seen from it seemed painfully unfunny and amounted to little more than "he made a nerdy reference. How funny!"

Jen0125 posted...

I didn't like it because the nerd shit they put forward wasn't realistic. One time I watched and they were playing video games together. They were playing Xbox. All standing up and they were holding the controller on the bottom with one hand and using one other hand to smash buttons. Like why? That doesn't even seem intuitive for a new user to try it that way. It looked absurd.

Playing DDR without the dance mats. It is absurd, but also fun.

rjsilverthorn posted...

They also just threw every stereotypical nerd thing in there. They played WoW, they played Halo, they played D&D, they were Star Wars nerds, they were comic book nerds, etc...

And? That's how many of my friends were, they were intelligent and had a wide variety of interests to occupy them.

The biggest quip I had was the lack of sports knowledge; Seldon had football and Raj had cricket, but my friends followed most of the major league sports teams and a few international events, we even played them in my backyard or at school without prompting from teachers.

I wonder what @adjl thinks... he hasn't logged in since the 7th. I hope he's ok.

KodyKeir posted...

IDK

I enjoyed it, even though I was often compared to Sheldon. It was relatable and cathartic. Though the size of their apartments was ridiculous (actually true for all tv series)

Another of my Canadian friends liked it a lot too. Dude was nerdy as hell, graphics designer, but didn't do well in school. Failed out of university twice. But I think it was because he was gaming too much instead of studying. Mmos and poor discipline ruin so many degrees.

Straughan posted...

I wonder what @adjl thinks... he hasn't logged in since the 7th. I hope he's ok.

They just had Fiona run over them (IIRC) so they are likely without power, even the cell network is spotty out there right now.

If we don't hear from them once power is fully restored, then we can consider worrying.

I find 99% of sitcoms shallow. The humour is shallow, as are the relationships. Big Bang Theory is just a very standard sitcom, like Two and a Half Men. Sure, there'll be a joke occasionally that makes me laugh (usually due to absurdity), but overall it's just boring.

Seinfeld was absurd enough that it got boring less often. I watch very little TV these days though, so even sitting down to watch a bunch of Seinfeld would probably get tiring.

Chuck Lorre has a formula and it's worked for thirty years, oftentimes it's pretty low bar humour, there is the occasional diamond in the rough moment.

United States of Al had a good first season but then they dumbed down Al for the second season and just went back to two and a half men level writing.

Nerds saying they "didn't like" or "hate" Big Bang Theory.

Actual nerds wouldn't like it because it's a stupid comedy making fun of nerds, I imagine. It's a comedy that isn't made for nerds or geeks but instead the lowest of the general public.

However, the Young Sheldon clips I saw looked amusing, so... maybe it's not a total loss?

Straughan posted...

So I watched a few YT videos on this topic because I thought the show was popular and the idea confozzled me. This is like the 3rd time I've heard this from people online too. I tried watching it a few times myself, but I just didn't jive with the characters. However, I could watch every episode of Seinfeld. (I think that's the part I want to highlight re-reading this.) I loved all the characters so I could enjoy any time they appeared and were in a scene. So I guess what I'm wondering is, do any of you know why some like the show and some hate it? Between the nerd viewing demographics? Any delineation maybe? Is it only certain types of nerds maybe?

Let's take another show I didn't watch much. Family Guy. However, when I see it now and then in clips, I can laugh at it. I mean, I don't love it, but it's funny. But when I watch BBT I never really laugh. So yeah... I guess I just can't relate, but I'm interested in the division of those who do and dont like the show and why since it was so popular for so many years. That's interesting. It almost feels like a culture boundary or something. Seems weird that some nerds hate the show and some love it. Videos mention the show Friends a lot when contrasting the show. But I didn't really follow or like Friends either. It was serviceable. I mean, I could watch it if it was on and kinda get into it, but I wouldn't keep watching it.

Back then I watched X-Files, Sliders, any Star Trek show especially TNG, DB/DBZ, Full House, Martin, Family Matters, A Different World, Fresh Prince, Home Improvement, Lois & Clark, King of The Hill, Beavis & Butthead, The Simpsons. Then anything older than that except MASH. I'd watch even Nick at Nite stuff. But Big Bang Theory just never did it for me. Is it just because I'm older? I mean I like nerdy shit I guess just not that particular kind.

Anyways, I figure you guys might know the simple reason behind it. Maybe you have some good input. People sure are different. When I was a kid I thought there might be a way to please everyone, but if politicians tell us anything, its never more than half at once.

Oh, it's a shitty copypasta.

Straughan posted...

To reinforce my comment about Seinfeld, I was going for a contrast. I meant to say I don't really identify or relate to any of the characters on BBT or Seinfeld, but for some reason, all the characters on Seinfeld are loveable to me. And they never had to grow on me either. They're immediately hilarious like a good comedian at a comedy show.

Just seems odd how one show I completely love and another falls flat. Yet both were extremely popular sitcoms.

Wait, it's not a shitty copypasta? That's even worse.

To the previous point, Friends could be funny. The show sucked as an aggregate, but it had some stuff going for it. I never saw anything in BBTS.

rjsilverthorn posted...

They also just threw every stereotypical nerd thing in there. They played WoW, they played Halo, they played D&D, they were Star Wars nerds, they were comic book nerds, etc...

On top of that, none of the jokes seemed deep. It made the most superficial pop culture references where the punchline might be, "This is like Green Lantern."

Straughan posted...

I wonder what @adjl thinks... he hasn't logged in since the 7th. I hope he's ok.

Weird harassment-level stuff there. Anyway, adjl probably vanished because I haven't been around as much.

ReturnOfFa posted...

I find 99% of sitcoms shallow. The humour is shallow, as are the relationships. Big Bang Theory is just a very standard sitcom, like Two and a Half Men. Sure, there'll be a joke occasionally that makes me laugh (usually due to absurdity), but overall it's just boring.

Seinfeld was absurd enough that it got boring less often. I watch very little TV these days though, so even sitting down to watch a bunch of Seinfeld would probably get tiring.

Except Two-and-a-Half-Men was funny. Usually the only people who laughed at BBTS jokes were the fake audience.

I could watch several episodes of TaaHM in a row despite the series as a whole being meh. BBTS usually couldn't keep me a single episode.

Then compare it to the Simpsons where I've seen most episodes from the first half maybe 10 times or more yet I could still watch multiple episodes in a row without an issue.

ReturnOfFa posted...

I find 99% of sitcoms shallow. The humour is shallow, as are the relationships. Big Bang Theory is just a very standard sitcom, like Two and a Half Men. Sure, there'll be a joke occasionally that makes me laugh (usually due to absurdity), but overall it's just boring.

Seinfeld was absurd enough that it got boring less often. I watch very little TV these days though, so even sitting down to watch a bunch of Seinfeld would probably get tiring.

I think that's the point. You can tune in whenever and it'll be entertaining enough. If you miss an episode it's no big deal since it wasn't that deep anyways

You guys surprised me honestly, I half suspected you'd tear me a new asshole for questioning the show. But really I don't mind what people like. It's just interesting when something doesn't make sense sometimes.

One show I never watched for years was House MD. I suddenly started watching it and I loved it. I stopped being a show watching person after the 90s I guess. I always had things to do. I played mmos or watched film on my leisure time. I'd watch stuff like Hardcore Pawn or Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel. Stuff like that.

For random filler stuff I always am just watching animal documentaries, nature docs, Antique Roadshow type stuff, Forensic Files, Unsolved Mysteries. The only sport I enjoy watching is golf and only because I'm good at it. It's neat watching the pros do stuff that I can tell is hard as shit lol.

i haven't liked a sitcom since like 2004. bbt and chuck lorre are a good chunk of the reason why. sheldon is obnoxious.

JOExHIGASHI posted...

I think that's the point. You can tune in whenever and it'll be entertaining enough. If you miss an episode it's no big deal since it wasn't that deep anyways

Fair, makes sense. Just a matter of taste obviously - I know that the 'deep' crap I watch about military supply would infuriate and/or put the average person I know to sleep.

Straughan posted...

You guys surprised me honestly, I half suspected you'd tear me a new asshole for questioning the show. But really I don't mind what people like. It's just interesting when something doesn't make sense sometimes.

One show I never watched for years was House MD. I suddenly started watching it and I loved it. I stopped being a show watching person after the 90s I guess. I always had things to do. I played mmos or watched film on my leisure time. I'd watch stuff like Hardcore Pawn or Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel. Stuff like that.

For random filler stuff I always am just watching animal documentaries, nature docs, Antique Roadshow type stuff, Forensic Files, Unsolved Mysteries. The only sport I enjoy watching is golf and only because I'm good at it. It's neat watching the pros do stuff that I can tell is hard as shit lol.

I never watched House, but it really intrigued be as a young person, so maybe I'd be super into it!

ReturnOfFa posted...

I never watched House, but it really intrigued be as a young person, so maybe I'd be super into it!

It's a fantastic show, House and Wilson are analogues of Holmes and Watson but they solve medical mysteries; remember it's never Lupus, (except for that one time) done to emphasize that Lupus is an easy diagnosis for doctors who don't want to do a full diagnostic of the patient.

Robert Sean Leonard was an extra nice part for me because he was the lead in one of my favorite childhood movies. Anyone remember this?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/3/0/AAfGAbAADtoS.jpg https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/3/1/AAfGAbAADtoT.jpg

BBT is one of those shows that I never go out of my way to watch but if a rerun is on Ill watch it and generally enjoy it.

By comparison, I actually really like Young Sheldon, its got a different overall vibe than BBT and I think its a far better show.

KodyKeir posted...

It's a fantastic show, House and Wilson are analogues of Holmes and Watson but they solve medical mysteries; remember it's never Lupus, (except for that one time) done to emphasize that Lupus is an easy diagnosis for doctors who don't want to do a full diagnostic of the patient.

Early House is good, later House not so much. You could tell they got to a point where they just didn't know where to go with the show anymore.

Any of you guys like Sliders when it was on? Man I loved that show. I used to fantasize about sliding myself and what kinda worlds there would be. I stopped watching when Jerry O'Connell left, but that show had a special place in my heart. John Rhys-Davies was likeable too. Back then we hadn't seen his Gimli, most of us only knew him from Indiana Jones.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/6/5/AAfGAbAADto1.jpg

Straughan posted...

Any of you guys like Sliders when it was on? Man I loved that show. I used to fantasize about sliding myself and what kinda worlds there would be. I stopped watching when Jerry O'Connell left, but that show had a special place in my heart. John Rhys-Davies was likeable too. Back then we hadn't seen his Gimli, most of us only knew him from Indiana Jones.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/6/5/AAfGAbAADto1.jpg

Yes I did enjoy Sliders. Takes me back, I havent thought about that show in a LONG time.

Only filthy normies have watched the big bang show

joemodda posted...

Only filthy normies have watched the big bang show

yeah i didn't get the popularity of the big bang theory either. Any of you were smallville fans, though?

Straughan posted...

I stopped watching when Jerry O'Connell left, but that show had a special place in my heart. John Rhys-Davies was likeable too.

ChaoticKnuckles posted...

Yes I did enjoy Sliders. Takes me back, I havent thought about that show in a LONG time.

Shame it all kinda fell apart with John treating the show as beneath him, his leaving started the decline.

rjsilverthorn posted...

Early House is good, later House not so much. You could tell they got to a point where they just didn't know where to go with the show anymore.

The prison season was something else.

Hugh Laurie has some blues albums that I recommend.

I like how Jerry grew up on this show in 3 seasons. Major growth spurt lol.
https://youtu.be/a5TXy488OMU

I watched a few episodes but it just... wasnt funny. I didnt see any draw into it. Except Bridgetungh

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/1/6/AAVgnZAADtpo.jpg

ZangsBeard posted...

I watched a few episodes but it just... wasnt funny. I didnt see any draw into it. Except Bridgetungh

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/1/6/AAVgnZAADtpo.jpg

I liked her as Harley Quinn, but Kaley Cuoco is doing a bang up job with her series.

Straughan posted...

I like how Jerry grew up on this show in 3 seasons. Major growth spurt lol.
https://youtu.be/a5TXy488OMU

That was the reason I watched sliders, was an O'Connell fan because of that show.

someone I worked with once told me that BBT is basically blackface but applied to nerd culture

AltOmega2 posted...

someone I worked with once told me that BBT is basically blackface but applied to nerd culture

That's not inaccurate...

When you look at Penny and Leonard's courtship, it is highly problematic and there are several detailed analysis of it available online.

KodyKeir posted...

When you look at Penny and Leonard's courtship, it is highly problematic and there are several detailed analysis of it available online.

Wtf is wrong with people?

*and it's analyses when speaking in the plural

jsb0714 posted...

Wtf is wrong with people?

*and it's analyses when speaking in the plural

I think you answered your own question.

Edit: Thank you. I was ignorant.

Straughan posted...

You guys surprised me honestly, I half suspected you'd tear me a new asshole for questioning the show. But really I don't mind what people like. It's just interesting when something doesn't make sense sometimes.

Why would anyone question you.
I could not care less how poorly CBS tried to articulate what a person "like me" is like.
If you want an accurate description, I would suggest Silicon Valley (I totally do not dream of being Gilfoyle).
What is strange to me is that anime seems to better portray it in the few office shows that pop up over time.

Straughan posted...

I half suspected you'd tear me a new asshole for questioning the show.

I'm pretty sure almost nobody here liked BBT. The internet at large doesn't have many fans of it.

Straughan posted...

One show I never watched for years was House MD. I suddenly started watching it and I loved it. I stopped being a show watching person after the 90s I guess. I always had things to do. I played mmos or watched film on my leisure time. I'd watch stuff like Hardcore Pawn or Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel. Stuff like that.

House was something I completely called for what it was and avoided it as such... but then I wound up getting it because it's basically a procedural and I enjoy procedurals. The closing seasons are terrible, but I was invested by that point.

Straughan posted...

Any of you guys like Sliders when it was on? Man I loved that show. I used to fantasize about sliding myself and what kinda worlds there would be. I stopped watching when Jerry O'Connell left, but that show had a special place in my heart. John Rhys-Davies was likeable too. Back then we hadn't seen his Gimli, most of us only knew him from Indiana Jones.

It was a great show... until it went heavy on the cro-mags or whatever and they had the cast changes.

I also enjoyed Quantum Leap.

Smallville posted...

yeah i didn't get the popularity of the big bang theory either. Any of you were smallville fans, though?

I enjoyed it until around the time they left Smallville.

The show perpetuates every nerd stereotype there is. It's trash.

House is great and Mr Robot is amazing.

Sliders I tried to watch occasionally when it was on eons ago, but could never understand it. I would love to try watching through it now though.

I only saw one episode of BBT, the bowling episode (The Wesley Crushers)... and it was just lame ass nerdglaze

https://youtu.be/c84ANSiVBAg