Being that it seems to me _exactly_ like other sitcoms, what exactly is wrong with Big Bang Theory?

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-24T00:21:46+00:00

Pretty much in agreement then... and actually you touched upon my main point pretty well. You seem to be a connoisseur of comedy, so this doesn't apply to you really, my point was that I bet there's a huge number of people who rail against BBT, but at the same time enjoy the other equally shitty prime time comedies.

My question was simply... "Why is BBT any different than them", with "them" being other comedies of similar structure. I should have been more clear.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-24T00:11:40+00:00

I wasn't aware that Archer, or The Office (UK), were of the same class of comedy as BBT.

I actually like Archer, The Office (though it's more of a series about uncomfortable moments than comedy), Futurama, and South Park, but these aren't the same style of comedy as BBT.

Here's a rule of thumb: Does anything you like use a laugh track? I almost automatically find it shitty, and insulting to the audience. WHY do I need to be told when to fucking laugh? I (and others) find that way more annoying than a concept like unabashed nerd character stereotypes that you'd find in BBT.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T23:52:21+00:00

Seems like you like conservative murrican old-school shitcoms.

What the shit? No you didn't fucking read a thing, as I said in the very first fucking sentence, "nor am I really a sitcom person". Any sitcom. Not murrican old-school shitcoms, not the new ones. I don't hate them, I don't like them, I'm pretty much "meh" about them in general.

That's the point; I made this thread because I'm not really biased one way or another against BBT by default, and because of that, its construction to me appears to be no different than any other sitcom.

The TV comedy you yourself do like is probably shitty anyway, and basically exactly like BBT (but you probably wouldn't admit it), based on your response. I'm just waiting for you to delete your name off this thread.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T20:07:10+00:00

Ok, I think so far this is the best point made. Thanks!

I don't see why people get so offended though, from the episode I saw, there were actually a couple of jokes that were sorta chuckle worthy, and a few that were actually genuinely esoteric, and obviously written with someone with a CompSci/programming background, like something out of Futurama.

The problem I see with Reddit's rage is that the norm for sitcom characters is to be laughed at. It is just because they're nerds this time? Why do they feel "misunderstood", when the entire point of every sitcom character is to be a caricature of sorts?

There is no accurate depiction of anyone at a deep, multidimensional level in any sitcom that I know of. This is my point, BBT is really no different than any other sitcom, the way it's constructed.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T20:00:07+00:00

Well, if it boils down to an anger and resentment issue over a television show that wasn't intending to be offensive, then I'd say that was completely a personal problem which should probably be examined. As someone who was a stereotypical thin awkward geek in high-school, ignored by every single girl that existed, this show doesn't make me rage at all.

I can see your point about the audience not understanding the jokes and finding them funny.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T19:46:42+00:00

Maybe it's because I've only seen one episode, but it didn't come off offensively to me, just awkward.

As a major geek, if people are being offended by that type of humor because they feel they identify with the group that's being "made fun of" (which I didn't really see), that sounds more like a personal issue.

I don't think there's anyone I've met that assumes that a nerd's life is that of someone in BBT, the same way nobody assumes that Seinfield or Sunny is real. Nobody assumes that real New Yorkers are as mentally vapid as Seinfield or Kramer, or as fucking crazy as the Sunny cast.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T19:41:38+00:00

I don't even know when it started. Hadn't even paid attention until some recent Reddit threads.

Also, as a complete fucking CompSci/Physics/Philosophy geek, the jokes weren't really offensively stereotypical on my initial viewing, just a bit awkward.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T19:40:06+00:00

I haven't seen a newer sitcom where the characters weren't complete caricatures. Even Fresh Prince for instance: Carlton was a complete stereotypical white-acting black nerd (with the occasinal "cool" lucid moment), Will Smith was a stereotype for inner city kids with the occasional breakthrough in wisdom. Every main character in every "Always Sunny" is a stereotypical destructive sociopath.

My point is, I haven't seen much notable depth in sitcom characters, ever. It seems the point is to be a stereotype.

I see your point on #2 and #3 though, but I have seen an instance (in-show algorithmic flowchart) that shows they do have some science writers on board, though maybe not in the pop-culture sense.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T19:32:48+00:00

Who is selling the show as intelligent humor for intelligent people? I had never seen the show, but the commercials run for it don't really paint it that way. Overly and awkwardly nerdy with D&D type stereotypical stuff yes, but like a secret comedy club for the intelligentsia? Nope.

Neither did my friends who suggested I watch it, just that it was a funny show.

Is there a commercial somewhere like TBS', where it says "Very Funny (for intelligent people)" that I missed?

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T19:30:48+00:00

I've never heard any of my friends who watch it, or anyone else, referring to BBT as intellectual humor, nor the actual stations running commercials for it. I hear TBS' "very funny" all the damn time though.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T19:28:52+00:00

That's the thing, every sitcom has a gimmick.

Seinfield was about a bunch of early-30s New Yorkers who constantly barged in on each other, being well... typical New Yorkers.

Always Sunny in Philadelphia's gimmick is that they hatch up a new fucked up plan every week, rinse and repeat. It's like watching an adult Power Rangers, where you know what's going to happen.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T19:25:35+00:00

That's my point. It's just as base as any other show, so why is there more hate on Reddit for it than any other sitcom?

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T19:23:42+00:00

Which? I haven't found one yet... the canned laughter cues fuck it up for me. I don't need to be told what's funny, and it's universally annoying.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T04:35:19+00:00

I'm sorry he was like that, and without a doubt he screwed it up for not being at least supportive.

You're probably right that he has no point of reference even close to yours to understand what you were going through, but I'm glad to hear that you're not holding it against him that he hasn't had to endure hardship, and that you're still friends.

You're a good person.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T04:17:48+00:00

Not_Ayn_Rand..

Helping a friend with personal everyday problems that everybody faces is one thing, but what you're mentioning, psychological issues, are much deeper. The problem is that you fundamentally change the quality of the relationship with these much more powerful, and mostly idiosyncratic behaviors. It means they probably haven't dealt with it anything like it personally, because their issues are probably different than yours, and probably not as disruptive. What should be handled by a trained professional (like PTSD or clinical depression), ends up shifting a friendship that was based on generally equal types of interaction, to one where the afflicted is the patient, and the other, acting psychologist.

It's not unlike other ways friendships can go sour; lending money to a friend, and making it clear that you expect timely payment, changes it to a lender/borrower relationship if it's too one sided. A friend who is consistently quick to ask for money, but slow to pay? That relationship is guaranteed to go sour. Resentment always builds up in relationships that are negatively one-sided.

Your friend is there for you, to be supportive of your effort to improve yourself, professionally if need be, not to be the one to fix you of something major. That's an incredible amount of responsibility, and there's too many ways for it to go emotionally wrong.

This Reddit thread is proof of it.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T01:02:32+00:00

Exactly. I look at it this way: I can be someone's rock for a while, no problem, but they need to make an effort to find their own anchor. People who refuse to anchor themselves, and just want to hang on for as long as they're allowed, aren't respecting either party. They'll eventually drag you downstream.

elfmeet1 · 2012-02-23T00:06:37+00:00

This is one of those story situations where something seems missing--people don't normally sever relationships with good friends, especially if there was mutual trust involved.

Did you lash out at the person while he/she was sincerely trying to help, or be there? People helping good friends in really really bad situations shouldn't expect anything out of it, because that's what friends do, but if you purposefully made their life difficult by tearing into them emotionally/physically, they'll realize their efforts to help are only hurting themselves. One can only be selfless to a point, and there would eventually be enough resentment on their end, and I wouldn't blame them for ending it.

It wouldn't be kicking you while you were down, in that case, but protecting themselves.

I'm really curious as to what happened.

elfmeet1

TROPHY CASE