DVD Review: The Big Bang Theory Season One
Clever Sitcom About Physicist Roommates Has Non-Stop One Liners
Apr 4, 2009
One of the most cleverly written sitcoms to come from CBS in recent years, The Big Bang Theory taps into the prevalent geek culture, for laughs and compromising situations.
Big Bang Theory Season One Overview
Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki, Roseanne) and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons, Judging Amy) are two highly gifted physicists, living in as roommates in an apartment in Los Angeles. With their good friends, fellow scientists Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) and Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), the boys engage in daily doses of good geeky fun, with activities such as Halo games, creative and innovative version of regular board games (Klingon Yahtzee, anyone?), and such.
When a gorgeous blonde from Nebraska named Penny (Kaley Cuoco) moves in next door to the brainy roommates, the perfect routine which has dictated their existence is thrown into disarray, with the ever so literal Sheldon fearing a disruption in his obsessive little world, and with Leonard finding himself immediately smitten with the girl.
As they star to interact with Penny, the four boys start to learn there is some aspect of coolness outside their sphere of existence, and they seek to both ingratiate themselves with Penny, as well as try to let her into their select little group. This clash of sorts, shall we call it a merger of realities, is the source of many a clever and funny moments throughout the course of Season One, and continues to do so in Season Two.
Big Bang Theory Season One Overall Analysis and Highlights
This series has an awesome gift for comic timing, courtesy of both Chuck Lorre's inventive writing style, as well as the cast's ability, Friends style, to maximize the script's comedic potential. Though each of the actors gladly contributes to the overall laughter, the show truly benefits from actor Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon. His portrayal of the disconnected genius who can't grasp some of the simpler everyday concepts we "normal" people take for granted, makes for some of the funnier moments on the show.
Also, Kaley Cuoco's role as Penny counterbalances the brainy foursome's perspective, allowing the audience to live through her by proxy, ensuring we can easily sympathize with her plight, and how the geeks go about helping her when possible.
Some of the funnier episodes of Season One include 'The Middle Earth Paradigm', where the four guys attend Penny's Halloween party, and have trouble mingling with the normal crowd; 'The Grasshopper Experiment', where Raj discovers he can only get himself to speak to women when he drinks alcohol, which leads to some disastrous results; 'The Loobenfeld Decay', which puts Sheldon and Leonard into a compromising situation, when they try to avoid seeing Penny signing (very badly) in a production of Rent, causing them to accumulated lies to the point of confusion.
Finally, one of the funniest episodes of the season has to be 'The Pancake Batter Anomaly'. When Sheldon comes down with the flu, all hands try to abandon ship, when they already know how much of a nightmare Sheldon can be when sick. Poor Penny offers to help, unaware of what she's in for. This episode truly showcases Parsons' talent and comedic genius.
As it was mentioned before, The Big Bang Theory is a must for anyone who was ever addicted to the good chemistry of Friends, with a touch of Frasier intellectualism on the side. Great giggly fun for everyone.
9 out of 10, for being one of the more inventive comedies in recent TV seasons, also for Jim Parsons' performance as Sheldon.
 |
