[dory353]

Just started tuning in to this on E4 the past two weeks. Absolutely hilarious! Sheldon is comedy gold.

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by dory353

Just started tuning in to this on E4 the past two weeks. Absolutely hilarious! Sheldon is comedy gold.

Yet another comedy to use a character likely to have Asperger's, seems like it's becoming/might already be a comedy staple

Jim Parsons is a good actor, but the writing is a little flat character development wise. Community and Alphas are much better in their writing and portrayal of characters with Asperger's/HFA.

[Joe_Zel]

Except Sheldon doesn't have Asperger's. He definitely has social/communication issues but they've said several times they're not portraying an Asperger's character. Which is about right, since plenty things about him contradict it.

[Mal80]

Originally Posted by Joe_Zel

Except Sheldon doesn't have Asperger's. He definitely has social/communication issues but they've said several times they're not portraying an Asperger's character. Which is about right, since plenty things about him contradict it.

I sometimes wonder if being a geek/nerd is basically the same as Asperger's. Both groups retreat from the real world by strongly focusing on escapist subjects (super heros etc) or subjects where they have full control (like science, maths, computing etc). The side effect being that they fail to develop emotionally, or at least take a long time to catch up with others.

Big Bang Theory is a step up from something like Friends, but it's not that clever. The product placement annoys me too... the characters are supposed to be clever scientist types, yet they consume all sorts of nasty fizzy drinks for example.

[Joe_Zel]

Deleted

[priscilla]

I absolutely love TBBT, and yes sheldon comedy gold
sheldon and howard are my favourite characters, cant wait for the next season

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by Joe_Zel

Except Sheldon doesn't have Asperger's. He definitely has social/communication issues but they've said several times they're not portraying an Asperger's character. Which is about right, since plenty things about him contradict it.

Yeah, they said that so they can flat out avoid character development, and so they won't get in trouble for non accuracy. I've not seen any character traits in Shelldon that would contradict a diagnosis of Asperger's as it the effects it has on people do vary.

Also, the writer's have never said he definitely doesn't have it, they have said they don't know if he has it or not (aka they copped out), and whilst they have stopped short of mentioning Asperger's directly, they have alluded to it on the show multiple times. ("He's not crazy I had him tested. Although I do regret not taking him to see that Specialist in Houston"...)

Even Jim Parsons said that the behavior traits were near identical, and that Shelldon was likely to have undiagnosed Asperger's.

In order to avoid this becoming an argument, let's just say that whilst they aren't necessarily writing a character with Asperger's, they have produced one with many of it's traits...

[dexror81]

I love this show as well. I have seen all episodes (US Pace) and although Sheldon is still my fav I felt that last season they kept pushing him into every scene as he is so popular a character. As such he just now says random comments rather then just have his own storyline or genuine involvement in a scenario. He is still fab though.

As a fellow sci-fi fan I also love all the star trek jokes etc. I like how they are not afraid to just deliver the joke and not explain it all like a lot of US shows feel they have to do. They don't assume the audience is dumb! It makes for sharp, clever comedy.

One of my fav Sheldon moments is when he is hiding from Amy and he speaks with the 'mail carrier' and he tells him 'i got your back jack, b**ches be crazy!'

[AdamCleland]

Take out the laughter track, and then see how not funny the programme is. You only think it's funny because it goes like this:

"I got my Nintendo 64!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

"Oh my memory card is still here!!!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA

"I have a PHD"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


"Molybdenum"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[dexror81]

Originally Posted by AdamCleland

Take out the laughter track, and then see how not funny the programme is. You only think it's funny because it goes like this:

"I got my Nintendo 64!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

"Oh my memory card is still here!!!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA

"I have a PHD"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


"Molybdenum"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I saw an interview where the cast said that the laughter was just from the live audience but there is no way thats 100% true! It is really enhanced.

[AdamCleland]

The laughter track is recorded from the live audience.

[Joe_Zel]

I don't see the need for you to be so insulting. You don't find it funny, great, move one.

Laughter track or no laughter track, I find it funny. I don't need other people to tell me when something's funny.

[Joe_Zel]

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

Yeah, they said that so they can flat out avoid character development, and so they won't get in trouble for non accuracy.

Except they haven't avoided it. Anyone who's watched all 5 seasons will see how Sheldon's changed, and in some ways, started to grow up.

As for getting into trouble for non accuracy, there is no set guidelines for someone with Asperger's, which in itself is one of many forms of autism anyway. Everyone is different.

[theonlyweeman]

The laughter track is from a live audience, but they re-record it using another audience if it isn't good enough...

I enjoy the show, but last season took a nosedive, became almost unwatchable for me (but other people seemed to like it)

[killthedirector]

I watched the un-aired pilot the other day. I'm glad they decided to change a lot of it because I don't think it would have lasted more than a season.

Thankfully they did and its one of my favourite tv shows at the moment. I could watch re-runs of it all day.

[Joe_Zel]

The unaired pilot was done in 2006, and was why it was dropped from the line up.

They gave them a chance to rework it in 2007 and it got picked up.

[maurice45]

Originally Posted by Joe_Zel

I don't see the need for you to be so insulting. You don't find it funny, great, move one.

Laughter track or no laughter track, I find it funny. I don't need other people to tell me when something's funny.

I agree. We all have our opinions, which is fine. If someone dislikes the show, they are well within their rights to do so.

What I DON'T like is for someone to jump in with a "how can you like this crap?" type post, or even an "oh great, another fan of this drivel" type post. I'll watch whatever I want without having to justify why to other people.

We are free to like The Big Bang Theory and find it funny without going to great lengths to discuss Sheldon's character development or whether or not the laughter track is enhanced and hey - whether or not scientists should be allowed to eat junk food!

[Joe_Zel]

Originally Posted by maurice45

I agree. We all have our opinions, which is fine. If someone dislikes the show, they are well within their rights to do so.

What I DON'T like is for someone to jump in with a "how can you like this crap?" type post, or even an "oh great, another fan of this drivel" type post. I'll watch whatever I want without having to justify why to other people.

We are free to like The Big Bang Theory and find it funny without going to great lengths to discuss Sheldon's character development or whether or not the laughter track is enhanced and hey - whether or not scientists should be allowed to eat junk food!

Spot on.

[rosco2010]

I love it, especially Amy, who has been a revelation since she was introduced. A highlight was when she painted a huge picture of her and Penny.

[maurice45]

Originally Posted by rosco2010

I love it, especially Amy, who has been a revelation since she was introduced. A highlight was when she painted a huge picture of her and Penny.

That was hilarious

[Ambassador]

I was shocked to find how old some of the cast were! And that Galecki and Kaley Cucoco were dating for 2 years!

Love seeing Blossom again though (AFF)

[Listentome]

Originally Posted by Mal80

I sometimes wonder if being a geek/nerd is basically the same as Asperger's. Both groups retreat from the real world by strongly focusing on escapist subjects (super heros etc) or subjects where they have full control (like science, maths, computing etc). The side effect being that they fail to develop emotionally, or at least take a long time to catch up with others.

Big Bang Theory is a step up from something like Friends, but it's not that clever. The product placement annoys me too... the characters are supposed to be clever scientist types, yet they consume all sorts of nasty fizzy drinks for example.

The difference is being a geek is something you identify as being, much like being a hippy, Jack the lad, Emo etc, as opposed to something you are diagnosed with.

I identify as being a geek, yet I don't fit your description. Sure I collect action figures and comic books. I love sci fi, superhero movies, fantasy movies etc. Yet at the same time I am a stylish dresser, have a boyfriend, a large varied social circle and have developed emotionally. Yet I still identify myself as a geek.

[OminousGlory]

If there was ever a cross over, I would love to see a scene between Sheldon and Barney Stinson.

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by Listentome

The difference is being a geek is something you identify as being, much like being a hippy, Jack the lad, Emo etc, as opposed to something you are diagnosed with.

I think the difference is a geek could socialize perfectly well if they wanted to, whereas a person with Asperger's would struggle regardless of how much they want to (and a person with Asperger's doesn't necessarily like sci-fi or comic books)

[leon2112]

bazinga