Big Bang Theory

I love Sheldon, he's just like my bf

Raises hand!

it's one of my favourite shows! followed from the first episode, sheldon and amy are just my favourite pair!

I hate this show. It's like Blackface for nerds

Same
As a real life "nerd" (recent engineering school graduate, works as a computer programmer) I just don't get the appeal.

People can now make fun of us and perpetuate stereotypes on TV as well as in real life ^_^

Exactly. These aren't jokes for nerds. They're jokes about us.
Using a one dimensional 'nerdy' character as a mouthpiece for crappy bulky jokes doesn't make it any less offensive

The fact that you think the characters are one-dimensional "mouth-pieces" tells me you've never actually REALLY watched the show. What's most wonderful about it is that they are NOT one-dimensional or stereotypical.

Agreed. Somehow Howard ended up being a pretty expansive character. I really like watching his character progression. Leonard and Penny suffer a lot of snap-back, and Sheldon isn't allowed to grow because he's the iconic character, but the rest of the cast have really changed over the years in endearing ways.

I hate this show. It's like Blackface for nerds

Same
As a real life "nerd" (recent engineering school graduate, works as a computer programmer) I just don't get the appeal.

People can now make fun of us and perpetuate stereotypes on TV as well as in real life ^_^

Exactly. These aren't jokes for nerds. They're jokes about us.
Using a one dimensional 'nerdy' character as a mouthpiece for crappy bulky jokes doesn't make it any less offensive

The fact that you think the characters are one-dimensional "mouth-pieces" tells me you've never actually REALLY watched the show. What's most wonderful about it is that they are NOT one-dimensional or stereotypical.

Agreed. Somehow Howard ended up being a pretty expansive character. I really like watching his character progression. Leonard and Penny suffer a lot of snap-back, and Sheldon isn't allowed to grow because he's the iconic character, but the rest of the cast have really changed over the years in endearing ways.

Even Sheldon has grown in character, though. he expressed jealousy over Amy in an episode and actually came out and said he cared for her.

They've all grown as characters as they've experienced new life events. It's very realistic and endearing.

PS. Schroedingers Cat means the complete opposite of what you think it means.

But we don't know with certainty, do we? It could be the same…

:laugh:

LOL! Thank you.

I have completed my bachelors and am 3/4 through my Masters. I never claimed to have a PhD.

I also don't claim that they are equivalent forms of offence. I simply made a comparison between the two, and any offence caused to you.

Ah I see. My apologies, I misunderstood, when you indicated that the programme was an offence against your profession. Since the programme is about academic scientists, I presumed you meant you were an academic scientist.

I believe that in making the comparison, equivalence of experience was, in fact, implied. That's kind of how comparisons work.

Anyway, it's been fun, got to go do some work now. Enjoy the rest of your degree. Being a student is fab.

BAZINGA! :laugh:

Howard's Mom

Love the show.

I think it's funny that people don't get it...it's just a tv show...get a grip.

Exactly. It's entertainment, that is all. I will bet good money that those that take offence at the show's depictions of "nerds" have laughed at other stereotypes at some point in their life that would be highly offensive to that stereotype. Hypocrisy abounds. That being said, I'm sure the show does offend at times...look at all the Indian jokes made against Raj, I don't see anyone here standing up for him. Oh wait, no Indians have seen this thread or at least posted, so go figure. I am a geek, and I don't take offence at geek jokes. I think it's funny and right on the mark sometimes. It's just a joke. The only time I ever take offence at someone is when a highly personal attack is made against me specifically, which is hard or near impossible for the writers of a show that don't know me to do.

Howard's Mom

I would love to see what she looks like!! LOL

I hate this show. It's like Blackface for nerds

Same
As a real life "nerd" (recent engineering school graduate, works as a computer programmer) I just don't get the appeal.

People can now make fun of us and perpetuate stereotypes on TV as well as in real life ^_^

Exactly. These aren't jokes for nerds. They're jokes about us.
Using a one dimensional 'nerdy' character as a mouthpiece for crappy bulky jokes doesn't make it any less offensive

Yup! As a scientist/nerd I feel like I'm being laughed at when I watch this show so even though the writing and acting are better than average for tv I still don't like it.

When they make a joke about something that relates to me, I laugh because it's usually funny.

by far one of my favorite shows on TV right now... fantastic actors with great underlying story lines... and lets be honest - someone will always be offended by something... to each their own... i'll take this any day over keeping up with the kardashians though that's for sure!

I Love the Big Bang Theory! My BF hates when it comes on because I sing the theme song and yell BANG at the end! LOL

Bazinga

PS. Schroedingers Cat means the complete opposite of what you think it means.

Love the show, but agree about Schroedinger's Cat. Every time they make a reference I want to punch a hole in a wall.

I just feel sad about the poor cat in the box.

When they make a joke about something that relates to me, I laugh because it's usually funny.

I worked in journalism for many years. There are entire Facebook pages dedicated to making fun of us. Usually they are run by and "liked" by 99% journalists or former journalists. They are full of stereotypes. They are funny and fun.

I laugh at myself all the time.

I also play the viola... :-)

Being able to laugh at yourself is a life skill. Builds resilience.

I'm not a scientist or an intellectual ... but I am a lifelong dork, nerd and geek.

I find their portrayal of the social awkwardness of a "family" of misfits to be fairly accurate and completely endearing. It's exaggerated for comedy, because that's what comedy does. Just like Mary Tyler Moore was an exaggeration of a single working woman, Rosanne was an exaggeration of a frazzled working class family, and Modern Family is an exaggeration of a .... pretty much every kind of mixed family out there.