By Danny Wellwater
It's been a pretty good month for the Big Bang Theory, not to mention a pretty awesome five years. Not only has the show grossed over fifteen million viewers in its latest run, but the milestone episode in April 2012 will feature the one and only Stephen Hawking. Hawking has played cameo before, but never in person, and his appearance on the show will cement its status as the hottest nerd comedy this side of the solar system.
Here's the formula. The show combines winning elements such as a stellar cast and sharp one-liners in the tradition of situational comedy, with good cultural timing in order to make a successful equation; no easy task in the jostling TV market. Big Bang Theory is written around four roommates who are all quirky sci-fi geeks. The inevitable addition of a blonde 'normal' avoids a tired stereotype by remaining genuinely humorous, warm and self-aware of its comedy. Cue five seasons of friendship, love and fractional division as the group live and learn together.
The cast of Big Bang Theory are no strangers to fame and the roll-call over the series has included such actors like Johnny Galecki, Sarah Gilbert and Laurie Metcalfe, who play Leonard, Lesley Winkle and Sheldon's neurotic mother respectively. They share past roles in hit sitcom Roseanne, and have power-house programming under their belts like Entourage, ER and Desperate Housewives. The seasoned crop of actors, mixed with lesser-known talent such as Jim Parsons (Sheldon) has created staying power over five seasons in the fickle world of American TV comedy.
The cast of Big Bang Theory are no strangers to fame and the roll-call over the series has included such actors like Johnny Galecki, Sarah Gilbert and Laurie Metcalfe, who play Leonard, Lesley Winkle and Sheldon's neurotic mother respectively. They share past roles in hit sitcom Roseanne, and have power-house programming under their belts like Entourage, ER and Desperate Housewives. The seasoned crop of actors, mixed with lesser-known talent such as Jim Parsons (Sheldon) has created staying power over five seasons in the fickle world of American TV comedy.
The cast of Big Bang Theory are no strangers to fame and the roll-call over the series has included such actors like Johnny Galecki, Sarah Gilbert and Laurie Metcalfe, who play Leonard, Lesley Winkle and Sheldon's neurotic mother respectively. They share past roles in hit sitcom Roseanne, and have power-house programming under their belts like Entourage, ER and Desperate Housewives. The seasoned crop of actors, mixed with lesser-known talent such as Jim Parsons (Sheldon) has created staying power over five seasons in the fickle world of American TV comedy.
We mentioned the one-liners, and the script is thick with them. This can be a tired formula and the pitfalls of American sitcom style comedy can include its inability to translate past these into something bigger, better and attractive to all audiences. Big Bang Theory's use of a studio audience and a tried and tested Yankee method of comedy actually works, however. A mixture of likeable characters and a comedic social awkwardness that the inner geek in all of us can actually relate to is backed up by genuinely funny scripting.
Big Bang Theory's popularity stems from the ebbing, flowing but ever-present anti-culture of geek-chic. Retro posters and T-shirts of Spock have never been so in demand and lately, even Rhianna has been spotted wearing a bowtie and white ankle socks in a pastiche of Nineties Nerd. Coincidence? I don't think so. Big Bang Theory proves that the underdog is loved the world over, and that geeks are here to stay.
We mentioned the one-liners, and the script is thick with them. This can be a tired formula and the pitfalls of American sitcom style comedy can include its inability to translate past these into something bigger, better and attractive to all audiences. Big Bang Theory's use of a studio audience and a tried and tested Yankee method of comedy actually works, however. A mixture of likeable characters and a comedic social awkwardness that the inner geek in all of us can actually relate to is backed up by genuinely funny scripting.
Big Bang Theory's popularity stems from the ebbing, flowing but ever-present anti-culture of geek-chic. Retro posters and T-shirts of Spock have never been so in demand and lately, even Rhianna has been spotted wearing a bowtie and white ankle socks in a pastiche of Nineties Nerd. Coincidence? I don't think so. Big Bang Theory proves that the underdog is loved the world over, and that geeks are here to stay.