The Deadbolt Feature - 5 Reasons to Watch The Big Bang Theory

5 Reasons to Watch The Big Bang Theory
by Nadya Vlassoff

CBS has been a leader in the ratings war for quite some time and now the networks is set to continue its dominance with a revamped Monday night line-up. Unlike other genres of television that depend on glamorous stars and dramatic storylines, the premise of The Big Bang Theory depicts the friendship of four extraordinarily gifted friends and their relationship with their good-looking female neighbour. Roommates Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) are nerds in both conventional and unconventional ways. While Leonard tries to finally break out his comfort zone, even to get a girlfriend, Sheldon is perfectly content to focus all of his energy on work as a theoretical physicist while learning everything about human behaviour, the only study area where Sheldon actually lacks knowledge. Along with their friends Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) and Rajesh ‘Raj’ Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) Sheldon and Leonard form an unlikely friendship with Penny (Kaley Cuoco) the gorgeous girl across the hall.

Unique in its own writing and approach to comedy, The Big Bang Theory has something integral and effective with the show’s cast you don’t always see, an undeniable chemistry that comes across so believably onscreen. Also, the Big Bang Theory is as much social commentary as it is a comedy. Each character with their own quirks within the comedy and writing, it just goes to show that looks don’t mean a thing if you do not have the brains to back it up.

Here are 5 reasons we think you should tune in to The Big Bang Theory:

Penny + Leonard = Complicated2

In most television series we always see the one couple that we root for until the writers finally cave into fan demand and allow the two lovebirds to get together. Just like every other aspect of The Big Bang Theory, the romantic relationship between Penny and Leonard is complicated by more than just awkward silences, coupled with Sheldon’s uncanny ability to blurt inappropriate things at the most inopportune moments. If people thought Ross and Rachel were the perfect couple on Friends because Ross was goofy and Rachel was beautiful, viewers should love the dynamic between Leonard and Penny. Despite all of the external interruptions, the biggest obstacle that Penny and Leonard ever face is Leonard himself. Whether he’s busy inadvertently reuniting Penny with one of her many ex-boyfriends or simply trying to keep Wolowitz away from her, Leonard has spent two seasons unsuccessfully wooing his dream girl. Too bad Sheldon hasn’t come up with a perfect formula for that conundrum, although he did come close. Schrodinger’s cat anyone?

Neighbour Wars

Although many fans of The Big bang Theory hope for a romantic relationship to bloom between Leonard and Penny, another connection gives viewers a reason to tune in each week, that of Dr. Sheldon Cooper and his arch-rival, Penny. From week-to-week, Big Bang Theory fans are privy to a never-ending battle of wills, as Penny and Sheldon frequently battle the other in an intellect or simply through the maximum utilization of annoyance. Sheldon’s inability to wrap his mind around simple human behaviour provides plenty of opportunity for Penny to pounce on his thoroughly predictable behaviour since she knows exactly how and when to take advantage of his weaknesses. Sheldon, not to be outdone, steadily grows to learn and analyze Penny’s shortcomings, constantly firing a barrage of jabs at her inability to retain a romantic relationship before it goes up in smoke. So who will win the battle of wills? Our money is on Sheldon simply because he hates to lose. However, Penny is certainly up to the task, especially if Sheldon refuses to change his ways even a little. Let’s see if Saturday night will truly continue to be laundry night for Sheldon.

Comedic Timing

It is one of the most difficult parts of comedy, knowing when to pause at the right moment or deliver a line in order to maximize the effect it will have on a scene. The Big Bang Theory is ripe with impeccable comedic timing thanks in large part to the skills and chemistry of its cast. The comedic pairings also provide an added boost to the show via interaction between Wolowitz and Raj, Leonard and Sheldon, even, Raj and Penny. Although Raj is unable to look Penny in the eye, much less talk to her, unless he’s drunk, Kunal Nayyar has perfected the stereotype of what a nerd would do in the presence of a beautiful woman. Unlike his pal Raj, Wolowitz has no qualms about expressing his unfettered sexual opinions, which only cause the women privy to his vocal indiscretions to cringe and attempt to escape his presence as quickly as possible. The onscreen chemistry between the cast members is as good as it gets in network comedy. Fans can thank Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady for casting the perfect actors in The Big Bang Theory.

Jim Parsons, an Enigma

Due to his hilarious depiction of Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Parsons is more than deserving of his Emmy nomination, although Jim lost to Alec Baldwin of 30 Rick. On his own, Sheldon is one of the most intriguing characters to come out of television in the last decade. Jim Parsons does exactly what Kelsey Grammer did with Dr. Frasier Crane in embodying a brilliant man who is fully neurotic about all the wrong things. Where Parsons differs, however, is in his ability to make every moment awkward even if the moment doesn’t need to be uncomfortable. In his never ending quest to decipher the enigma of human behaviour, Sheldon toils tirelessly in his efforts, most of the time making Penny his unwilling guinea pig. Everything from the discovery of a tie around Leonard’s doorknob to the development of his regimented daily restaurant schedule, coupled with Sheldon’s abject refusal to admit that he could possibly be wrong, gives rise to plenty of hilarity and unplanned mishaps.

Big Bang Guest Stars

There is something very tangible with the guest stars of Big Bang Theory. One favourite is former Rosanne actress Sara Gilbert. Gilbert stars as Leslie Winkle, a co-worker of Leonard’s and intellectual rival of Sheldon after she dared touch his board to fix his equation. After a botched romantic relationship with Leonard, Leslie became the perfect test subject to incur the wrath and jealousy of Penny. That is of course when Leonard and Leslie pretend to be a couple. Gilbert has enjoyed a recurring role on The Big bang Theory and we hope Sara will continue to wreak disturbance in the force in Season 3. In Season 2, Christine Baranski also made a guest appearance as Leonard’s emotionally-detached mother who gets on better with Sheldon than she does with her own son. Eventually Leonard and Penny are driven to the bottle as Sheldon enjoys a brain scan and a chance to cut loose with Mrs. Hofstadter. If there was ever a woman in the world with potential to be Sheldon’s soul mate, Beverly Hofstadter may be it if she could believe in such nonsense. Baranski was so good in her role that she nabbed an Emmy nod for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Other guest stars included Sarah Rue (Popular) and Brian George, and we hope Season 3 brings amps up the comedic guest talent, if not another appearance from Christine Baranski.

Season 3 of The Big Bang Theory premiers Monday, September 21

-- Nadya Vlassoff