The ‘Big Bang Theory’ Evolving American Humor on Satellite TV
The 'Big Bang Theory,' which first aired on CBS in 2007, has gone a long way to renew the tired reputation of American sitcoms as over-reliant on slapstick comedy. HD televisions throughout the globe have been set ablaze by the sharp writing wit of the creators, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady.
American audiences have been particularly taken by the sitcom and it shows a shift in the popular consciousness of the society. The cheap thrills of tongue in cheek sitcoms like 'Married with Children' or, more recently, 'My Name is Earl' have been left behind for something with a refreshingly intellectual flavor.
For years, the English media has lambasted American sitcoms as inferior to theirs. The adoption and resultant success of 'The Office' by American satellite TV networks only seemed to accentuate this sentiment.
The success of 'The Office' illustrated an interesting shift in the American psyche, because it showed a transition towards what can only be described as a more "British humor." The assignation of a form of humor to the entire populous of a landmass is always going to be questionable, but the point being made remains unchanged; 'The Big Bang Theory' is not the kind of show that would appeal to the conventional satellite TV watcher of the 90's.
The show revolves around the antics of several cohabitants who attempt to navigate through normal living with a trail of remarkably awkward footsteps. Every fast-paced, dialogue-driven episode satires the nerd culture in a completely refreshing manner. The show has effectively done away with the tired stereo-types which the 'Revenge of the Nerds' films attributed to the sub-culture.
It is almost bizarre to think that high definition TVs throughout the globe are generating laughs because of the quick tongues of a group of genius scientists. The shrewd dialogue pits the awkwardness of the characters against society's accepted norms.
The unique element of the show is that there is no jester, or sports loving jock to make the nerds more palatable. The characters exude enough humanness to make their plight recognizable to any person who has suffered through the awkwardness of life.
The show incorporates an impressive vocabulary range, which only serves to reiterate the intellectual development of the satellite TV audience. Although only a few viewers will ever understand some of what Sheldon says; there is enough within the scope of the average person to make the show the incredible success that it has become.
American audiences no longer have to suffer through dumbed-down TV shows which promote vegetation rather than thinking. There is a strong shift to entertainment which also demands something of the audience. Shows like 'The Office' and 'The Big Bang Theory' illustrate that modern TV audiences yearn for something well-written and sharp witted.
American audiences have been particularly taken by the sitcom and it shows a shift in the popular consciousness of the society. The cheap thrills of tongue in cheek sitcoms like 'Married with Children' or, more recently, 'My Name is Earl' have been left behind for something with a refreshingly intellectual flavor.
For years, the English media has lambasted American sitcoms as inferior to theirs. The adoption and resultant success of 'The Office' by American satellite TV networks only seemed to accentuate this sentiment.
The success of 'The Office' illustrated an interesting shift in the American psyche, because it showed a transition towards what can only be described as a more "British humor." The assignation of a form of humor to the entire populous of a landmass is always going to be questionable, but the point being made remains unchanged; 'The Big Bang Theory' is not the kind of show that would appeal to the conventional satellite TV watcher of the 90's.
The show revolves around the antics of several cohabitants who attempt to navigate through normal living with a trail of remarkably awkward footsteps. Every fast-paced, dialogue-driven episode satires the nerd culture in a completely refreshing manner. The show has effectively done away with the tired stereo-types which the 'Revenge of the Nerds' films attributed to the sub-culture.
It is almost bizarre to think that high definition TVs throughout the globe are generating laughs because of the quick tongues of a group of genius scientists. The shrewd dialogue pits the awkwardness of the characters against society's accepted norms.
The unique element of the show is that there is no jester, or sports loving jock to make the nerds more palatable. The characters exude enough humanness to make their plight recognizable to any person who has suffered through the awkwardness of life.
The show incorporates an impressive vocabulary range, which only serves to reiterate the intellectual development of the satellite TV audience. Although only a few viewers will ever understand some of what Sheldon says; there is enough within the scope of the average person to make the show the incredible success that it has become.
American audiences no longer have to suffer through dumbed-down TV shows which promote vegetation rather than thinking. There is a strong shift to entertainment which also demands something of the audience. Shows like 'The Office' and 'The Big Bang Theory' illustrate that modern TV audiences yearn for something well-written and sharp witted.
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