Big Bang Theory - season 2

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

I think you might be right, I can see it now lol.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

I didn't realize this was the season finale. Just a so-so episode IMO. Last week (with the space toilet) had so many genuine belly-laughs for me, I guess it's just hard to top that one. In any event, I look forward to season three!

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

It's awesome to not even have to worry about it for two more years, isn't it?

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

They'll have to save it for the series finale, since much of the show's premise is built on the "will they or won't they" tension (similar to Moonlighting in the 80's). Once that's over, what's left?

I also loved the door knocking scene. Penny knocking back completely threw Sheldon for a loop.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

So true. A couple other fine examples: "Who's the Boss" & "Friends".

I realize that most shows give in and hook the 2 characters up (probably because it gets tiresome to keep writing that chemistry), but once a show decides to hook the characters up, the show changes...usually for the worse. Yeah, that's the only way they can do it wihtout "Jumping the Shark".

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

Like most here, I LOVED the knocking scene with Penny and Sheldon. I laughed so hard. I also loved the scene in the cheese factory freezer where Sheldon had the boys doing calculating on a watch, painting a figurine and playing operation. That scene was so funny when (forgot who said it) said, " Why don't we just assemble the item inside the hut before taking it outside?"

While I think it is sweet that Penny and Sheldon have feelings for eachother, I like that they are NOT together.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

Hehe, you mean Leonard and Penny. It would be funny if it were Sheldon who had secret feelings for Penny, though lol.

I always love when Sheldon spells things out, like when he told Leonard...

"So her missing you is a desirable sensation? Well it seems to me that her missing you is predicated upon the fact you've left so logic would then dictate you must leave."

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

Yeah. There's a reason romantic comedies end with the wedding (in the old days) or the couple getting together for good (more recently.) That's the goal, and once the goal is reached the courtship story is told. Nobody wants to read about Elizabeth Bennett's life as Mrs. D'Arcy or watch another two hours of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan making goo-goo eyes at each other after they've declared their undying love. Getting the characters together in the middle of any of those stories would clearly be stupid and self-defeating.

The problem with TV shows is that they run so long that it becomes difficult (and implausible) to maintain the romantic tension, so the producers cave in and give the audience "what they want" only to find that they've altered the whole premise of the show. In very rare cases this has actually worked, but 99 times out of 100, it doesn't. (I'm talking here about shows where romantic tension between the leads is a key selling point of the show - Cheers, Moonlighting, Castle, Bones and the like. Most shows can get away with having supporting characters hook-up, or can handle a romance that isn't a focus of the show. CSI could get away with pairing Grissom and Sara because their relationship was generally a background element in the show, and even when they got together they deliberately concealed the fact from their co-workers. So it had hardly any impact on the show's format.)

If Leonard and Penny were to get together, it would no longer be the same show. Period. This isn't to say that the producers couldn't come up with a new format built around them as a couple that wouldn't work (MTM took a comic grumpy boss out of a sitcom and built an ensemble drama around him, after all), but it would no longer be The Big Bang Theory. Given how well the current show is working, they'd be nuts to try it.

On a lighter note: I also loved the Sheldon/Penny door knock bit. I have two cats, rescued as kittens from a feral colony about six months apart. They are named Calvin and Hobbes, but if I got them today they'd be Leonard and Sheldon. Both are skittesh around people and not very well socialized, although they do OK with me. Calvin (Leonard) is the more out-going of the two. Hobbes (Sheldon) is both less social and more demanding. They have dry food and water available all day, and split one can of food each evening when I get home from work, usually about 6:00. If that food isn't in their dish by 6:10 my little "Sheldon" will find me and start meowing non-stop. He continues doing this until I've opened the can, scooped out the food, walked it to their "dining area" and set it on the floor - like there's a chance I'm going to change my mind and eat it myself, or find some other cat to give it to along the way.

Regards,

Joe

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

"Meow meow meow FOOD, meow meow meow FOOD, meow meow meow FOOD!"

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

I like how they handled Randy's obsession with Catalina on "My Name is Earl" by turning it around where he was actually disgusted with her after getting what he wanted...although, his interest in her wasn't the focus of the series, so they could get away with it.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

Oops! Yes Leonard and Penny! Ha!

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

I agree with the need for romantic tension staying on this show. Chuck, on the other hand....

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

double post

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

I was very disappointed to find my favorite - the purple-ish test pattern shirt - under the "discontinued" section.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

I like that purple hoodie that Leonard wears sometimes, he also wears some fairly cool heavy-duty jackets, too.

Sheldon's green 'Bats' t-shirt (see my signature) is also unavailable.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

Yes! Where's the pic of that? When she answered the door in the white t-shirt.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

Is this new time change on Monday night's comedy's only for the summer? The Big Bang Theory at 9:30pm seems wrong and more appropriate for the series usually at this timeslot. How I met Your Mother at 8 is okay, but why not TBBT at 8:30pm.

Though I wonder why the series The Rules of Engagement is still on. No offense to those who like it.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

The change is for the fall too. The idea behind the move is to improve the numbers by giving it the Two and a Half Men lead-in.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

Amazing Two and a Half Men is still doing so well. Thanks for the info.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

Which appears it might work, as last week's 9:30 episode landed in the Top 20.

Though I'm not sure it's a great match, either. I don't often watch "Men" and would have preferred to have BBT lead off at 8pm, so I could then move on to watching something on DVD, rather than have BBT falling in the middle of the evening at 9:30.

Also, given all the scatological gross-outs and overt sexual content of "Men," it seems oddly matched with the more situational nerd humor of BBT. It's kind of like putting "Married...With Children" back-to-back with "Frasier."

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

Improve the numbers? TBBT is already a huge hit for them, what more could they want lol?

I also don't like the idea of TBBT following T&HM, IMO TBBT is the funnier of the two and was perfect in the 8 pm timeslot.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

They should just call it the Chuck Lorre Comedy hour.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

One of the quotes I read said something to the effect that they thought it was primed to blow up huge. It has doing well, but they think it can do better. T&HM is the only comedy in the top 20. Their hope is that TBBT will be the second.


Oh, other than the ratings standpoint, I think it is a terrible match. Sure they are both Chuck Lorre shows, but they couldn't be more different. I'm also not sure Rules of Engagement belongs at the "family friendly" hour of prime time, but it seems as the "family friendly" hour concept is all but dead. While it still exists according to the FCC, it seems to be more theoretical than practical. Siberian tigers still exist too, but good luck finding them in the wild.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

I also thought BBT was perfect at 8. I'm a fan of all 4 CBS Monday shows, and feel that of the 4 shows, "Men" definitely pushes the envelope of what's acceptable (but DAMN it's funny) and HIMYM and ROE are a close 2 and 3.

I thought last season's order was perfect, but am just glad that all 4 shows are returning.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

I'm glad for the time change. Gets it away from Chuck - which is going after the same target audience.

Now I can watch both live.

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

You rang?

Re: Big Bang Theory - season 2

It's not a HUGE hit, but it fares pretty well. I think it usually lands around #45 of all ranked shows. With the time slot change, CBS is trying to pull it into the Top 20.

BBT is definitely a huge hit, as it actually lands in the top 20 every week, usually bested only by the endless parade of reality TV (of which I am guilty of watching my share of), Two and a Half Men, and a few other powerhouse dramas (like NCIS, House, CSI, 24).  As an aside, it's also one of the most pirated shows out there--take that for what it's worth :)

Not true.  For Season One, it was ranked the #59 show among all shows on the broadcast networks, Season Two was ranked #44.  If it was in the Top 20 "every week", it's season ranking would be #20 or higher.

The show drew its largest audience ever (13.1 million) on Feb 9, 2009, when it aired at 9:30pm (airing later than usual due to a presidential address, as I recall).  This landed it at #15 for the week and likely contributed to CBS changing its timeslot for the upcoming season.

With all due respect to this fascinating ratings debate, has no one noticed that I posted the much-requested pic of Penny answering her door?  Am I the last straight male still reading this thread? 

Regards,

Joe