I always hold TV series that can successfully incorporate pop culture references in their writing in high regard. Especially when it's the geeky variety of pop culture.
This is why I love Chuck, Community and Castle with so much fervor.
This is why I also love The Big Bang Theory.
The Big Bang Theory has come a long way since its four-nerd-boys-meet-aspiring-actress-girl beginnings. In its five year run, the group of Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, Howard Wolowitz, Raj Koothrappali and Penny have had plenty of experiences, both of the geeky and normal people variety. Relationships abound in the form of strange friendships, unlikely romantic partnerships, and too close for comfort bromances.
And this TV offering created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady have been rewarded with critical acclaim, acting accolades from the Emmys and the Golden Globes for Jim Parson and his portrayal of the so-weird-he-could-be-an-alien Sheldon, and a massive following that translated into numbers that have made The Big Bang Theory the most watched comedy series of the ultra competitive fall season.
The fifth and latest season of The Big Bang Theory introduced us to a lot of changes within the group. This season showed us more of Bernadette Rostenkowski and Amy Farrah Fowler, with Bernadette's relationship with Howard moving forward (albeit bumpily at times) and Amy Farrah Fowler becoming a part of the group as more than just Sheldon's friend who is a girl. The two form a trio of friendship with Penny, creating the much needed girl group interaction in the series.
It was actually the girl bonding times that made me appreciate Amy Farrah Fowler's role in the series. She provides the girl version of social awkwardness that more cerebrally gifted people experience. Unlike Sheldon, however, who simply does not care to conform, Amy Farrah Fowler embraces the new experiences in her life, whether it's in declaring her best friend status with (which sometimes border on attraction to) Penny, attending her first slumber party, or shopping for bridesmaid's dresses. Amy Farrah Fowler is also important to the series in another important way, playing an instrumental role of introducing Sheldon to a new relationship dynamic. Who would have thought... Sheldon got himself a girlfriend. Even if it did come with "The Relationship Agreement". Also, on a side note, how cool is it that Mayim Balik (who plays Amy Farrah Fowler, who I really can't simply call Amy) actually has a doctorate in neuroscience?
With Howard and Bernadette getting married, Sheldon finding a girlfriend in Amy Farrah Fowler, and Leonard and Penny rekindling their romance, we are left with Raj lamenting the fact that Sheldon got a girlfriend before he did. This season marks a hilarious journey for Raj, who have been branded so metrosexual he can be gay, made out with Howard using a rather creepy long distance kissing device, and began a relationship with his iPhone's Siri.
With a fifth season that is marked with many series highs, there is one particular highlight in The Big Bang Theory worth noting. Leonard Nimoy guest starred in one episode. Leonard fricking Nimoy. Yes, I have seen the man in other TV shows. But as a The Big Bang Theory fan, it was particularly momentous considering how much Sheldon worshiped the man who played Spock in the Star Trek franchise. So, it was pretty cool that he finally made an appearance. Well, at least his voice did. On that note... best use of a Spock action figure in any form of media EVER.
There are those who don't watch the show because they are intimidated by or are uninterested in the perceived high brow humor of the series. I don't think that The Big Bang Theory would gain this much success if it exclusively dealt out a brand of humor that would be difficult for the science challenged person (that's me!) to understand. While it does represent humor that is grounded on a lot of fantasy, science fiction and comic book references, the show also does well in creating a brand of comedy that can be understood and appreciated by everyone. Good comedy, which The Big Bang Theory does very well, doesn't really require rocket science to understand.
Now... to commemorate the recently concluded stellar fifth season of The Big Bang Theory, let's all learn how to play Rock! Paper! Scissors! Lizard! Spock!.
Happy viewing!!Labels: Big Bang Theory, CBS, Comedy, Must-Watch, TV, TV Series
