Follow TV Tropes

Following

Series / The Big Bang Theory

Go To

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/thebigbangtheory_7.png
Yes, this is a poster for a show named after the event that created the universe. note 

Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state
Then nearly fourteen billion years ago, expansion started, wait—
The earth began to cool, the autotrophs began to drool
Neanderthals developed tools, we built a wall
(We built the pyramids!)
Math, science, history, unraveling the mystery
That all started with the Big Bang (Bang!)
"Big Bang Theory Theme", Barenaked Ladies

The Big Bang Theory is a CBS sitcom co-created by Chuck Lorre and featuring four genius-level friends (with careers ranging from theoretical physics to engineering) and a pretty girl who shakes up their dependence on The Scientific Method and geeky lifestyle.

The main characters are two Odd Couple roommates, Dr. Leonard Hofstadter (played by Johnny Galecki) and Dr. Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons). Leonard is a mild-mannered nerd who, although awkward, is still socially capable. Sheldon is an egomaniacal supergenius who displays signs of OCD, ADHD and many other mental disorders.

An aspiring actress named Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco) moves in next door, and Leonard almost instantly develops a crush on her, with the unresolved feelings between them creating a good sum of drama and overarching plot over the show's course. Penny is actually a perfectly normal person with an average intelligence level, but compared to Leonard and Sheldon, she comes across as a Dumb Blonde. On the other hand, she is very friendly and outgoing with a vibrant social life and a multitude of interests, contrasting the shy, reclusive personalities of the guys.

Rounding out the cast are two other genius geeks who are always visiting Sheldon and Leonard: Howard Wolowitz (played by Simon Helberg), a wild but unsuccessful womanizer who never stops hitting on Penny; and Dr. Rajesh "Raj" Koothrappali (played by Kunal Nayyar), who suffers from crippling mutism whenever women are around (unless he's drunk).

The third season added two new female characters in semi-regular roles, who would eventually be promoted to the main cast: Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski (played by Melissa Rauch) a sweet-hearted microbiologist who is introduced as Penny's friend and co-worker at The Cheesecake Factory, and soon formed a relationship with Howard; and Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler (played by Mayim Bialik) a Distaff Counterpart to Sheldon who gradually became best friends with Penny and eased out of her neurotic shell. Bernadette and Amy ended up forming a Power Trio with Penny that contrasts the four guys and gave the show a new female perspective.

The show's humor can be divided into several categories: obscure references to physics or geek culture, every nerd stereotype the writers can think of, and the culture clash between Penny and the guys. Any given episode shuffles between romantic comedy/relationship drama, indulging in an established geeky pursuit, and the work lives of the characters at Caltech. Also, for the most part, the references to science and nerd culture are accurate, or at least close enough that somewhere between the writing and the acting, someone knows what they're talking about. The writers consulted Dr. David Salzberg of UCLA for advice on scripts and dialogue, and he personally mapped out the white board equations.

The show ran from 2007 to 2019, airing its Grand Finale on May 16, 2019, with a total of 279 episodes over twelve seasons, making it the longest-running multi-camera sitcom in television history. In 2017, CBS premiered Young Sheldon, a Spin-Off featuring the younger Sheldon dealing with living in Texas as a Child Prodigy, narrated by Jim Parsons.

A transcript of episodes can be found here.


The Tropes Page Dispersion:

*knock knock knock* Tropes? *knock knock knock* Tropes? *knock knock knock* Tropes?


Sheldon: You're not done with her, are you?
Leonard: Our babies will be smart AND beautiful.
Sheldon: Not to mention imaginary.

Top

Beverly and Mary

Leonard and Sheldon's mothers almost immediately go into conflict in regards to their views about science and the bible.

How well does it match the trope?

5 (7 votes)

Example of:

Main / Foil

Media sources:

Report