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> Big Bang Theory isn't made for geeks; it's made for people who want to laugh at geeks. It's important to note that BBT's jokes are largely predicated on acad

> Big Bang Theory isn't made for geeks; it's made for people who want to laugh at geeks. It's important to note that BBT's jokes are largely predicated on academia and NOT tech culture since their inside consultant is a physics prof. It's amusing when the "geeks" complain how the show portrays them, when they don't just get the humor having never shared the experiences of the academics on the show. That said, the volume of nuanced yet poignant physics jokes has dropped since season 1. Still not bad though, and enjoyed by those without the misplaced egos.

jonnathanson 12y ago
The physics jokes are probably the best part of the show, and they're sort of an easter egg for people who get them. That's the part of the show where the effort invested (expert consultant, etc.) really shines through. In general, I find the show mildly to moderately funny. I'm certainly not offended by it, as a lot of people seem to be. I just take it for what it is. It's a mainstream show that happens to feature some insider humor, rather than the other way around. Characterizations of the show as "nerd blackface" seem misguided, IMO. Legitimately offensive "nerd blackface" would be, for example, the portrayal of Asian-American characters in '80s comedies like Revenge of the Nerds and Sixteen Candles.
- agent00f 12y ago
  All true, but the main point is that the subject of BBT isn't "geeks", which explains the misguided haterade. For example, Raj seeking research/grant funding from Sheldon and their university office sharing hijinx hits home for a segment of nerds who aren't the type to frequent reddit or HN where the "laugh at geeks" narrative became popular. This is esp. cogent if Community is supposed to be a "proper" nerdy show. The reality is a single-camera format is more conducive to a more subtle script (eg 30 rock, which geeks similarly like) than a cheap/quick multi-cam sitcom. The love seems to stem from the nature of the material, which is conflated with the material itself.
- tsax 12y ago
  To be clear I'm not offended either, I just find the acting horrible, the characters cardboard cutouts and the jokes unfunny.

jonnathanson 12y ago

The physics jokes are probably the best part of the show, and they're sort of an easter egg for people who get them. That's the part of the show where the effort invested (expert consultant, etc.) really shines through. In general, I find the show mildly to moderately funny. I'm certainly not offended by it, as a lot of people seem to be. I just take it for what it is. It's a mainstream show that happens to feature some insider humor, rather than the other way around. Characterizations of the show as "nerd blackface" seem misguided, IMO. Legitimately offensive "nerd blackface" would be, for example, the portrayal of Asian-American characters in '80s comedies like Revenge of the Nerds and Sixteen Candles.

agent00f 12y ago
All true, but the main point is that the subject of BBT isn't "geeks", which explains the misguided haterade. For example, Raj seeking research/grant funding from Sheldon and their university office sharing hijinx hits home for a segment of nerds who aren't the type to frequent reddit or HN where the "laugh at geeks" narrative became popular. This is esp. cogent if Community is supposed to be a "proper" nerdy show. The reality is a single-camera format is more conducive to a more subtle script (eg 30 rock, which geeks similarly like) than a cheap/quick multi-cam sitcom. The love seems to stem from the nature of the material, which is conflated with the material itself.
tsax 12y ago
To be clear I'm not offended either, I just find the acting horrible, the characters cardboard cutouts and the jokes unfunny.