Big Bang Theory.

Post Reply New Topic

As much as I'm a fan of the show (since the start), can its growing popularity have negative effects in autism awareness? I have a mom who is constantly reminding me of my having Asperger's yet she gets defensively in denial at the first sign some one well-known that she admires may have AS (such as speculation of Tom Hanks, Jim Henson, or James Taylor). And now she's gotten into Big Bang, but the only times that I notice her laughing is when Sheldon and sometimes the other guys are the butt of the gag. Is this common? I'm all for having more AS type people in TV and Film, but is the area of sitcom untouchable unless the aspy's awkwardness is core reason for comic relief in some people's eyes? Seeing my mom laugh at Sheldon's awkwardness, I'm almost as mad as I am at Autism Speaks for choosing more from the lower functioning side of the spectrum (it seems just to create pity for those on the spectrum).

Of course your mother is laughing at the oddities of Sheldon, and maybe the other characters. That's the whole point of these sitcoms -- to exaggerate the unusualness of each character so that people find humor in them. Part of finding humor in a character is also seeing a bit of them in yourself. When Sheldon knocks on Penny's door three times, each time saying "Penny! Penny! Penny!" that reminds ME of the times that I am repetitive, or insistent that somebody come quickly to the door, and I'm not on the spectrum.

I actually think as the show grows in popularity, people think LESS about autism, and just see it as a funny show. That's a common response to anything. It's just funny -- that's all. Each character has their idiosyncracies, but we love each one because of that. They also are finding girlfriends, and fighting with their mothers, and having difficulties at work -- all things that the general population can relate to, as well as people on the spectrum.

On a side note -- I could definitely see that James Taylor might be on the spectrum, or Jim Henson may have been, but Tom Hanks? That's a new one. I'm not saying that he doesn't, I just haven't noticed any characteristics of his that fit. What would they be?

If someone is only laughing at the moments when one of the guys is the butt of a joke (which admittedly is often,as they constantly snipe at each other), then that person is missing half the humor of the show. Sheldon himself gets in plenty of zingers, and sometimes the highbrow prattle and geek babble is hilarious in itself.


'We didn't anticipate how protective the audience would feel about our guys'

-“The Big Bang Theory” co-creator/executive producer Bill Prady


Ba-Zinga!

I've noticed that Sheldon makes really good eye contact. What kind of an Aspie is that???

jim parsons on david letterman. very entertaining
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6yMHdU9MnI&feature=fvw[/youtube]

I actually like the way Sheldon is portrayed. Sure, he is socially daft, and has obsessive interests, all that are the butt of humor. But at the same time, he's also intelligent, confident, and basically has a good heart beneath his thoughtless bluntness. I think he represents us Aspies, with all our potential and foibles, magnificently. That's why my wife and I look forward to every Monday night at nine thirty, because there's someone like me finally as a major character on a nationally watched TV show.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

I actually like the way Sheldon is portrayed. Sure, he is socially daft, and has obsessive interests, all that are the butt of humor. But at the same time, he's also intelligent, confident, and basically has a good heart beneath his thoughtless bluntness. I think he represents us Aspies, with all our potential and foibles, magnificently. That's why my wife and I look forward to every Monday night at nine thirty, because there's someone like me finally as a major character on a nationally watched TV show.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

My mother likes Sheldon and his behaviour. She's convinced that he has AS now (I see that he's a little too good at give and take of social interaction, but hey, it's a show).

She thinks I'm just a more tactful and less insensitive version. :/

Sheldon's awesome! I think of Monday as Big Bang Theory night.

IS it just me, or am I not seeing why there is a studio full of laughing people every time Sheldon speaks?

I'll give some background information that I work in an aerodynamics research facility at a university and spend most of my days in a wind tunnel or writing on the board in my room to derive and explore various equations.
When Sheldon does some things (speak bluntly, work at his desk and ignore people, have a specific chair etc) there is normally a laughing audience. Why is this?
Do people find this sort of behaviour amusing?
When I do similar things are people laughing behing my back at me?

The show is funny, and yet I feel a bit sad that most of the equations in the background actually mean a lot to me!

He is great! I remember him from the old Quiznos commercials when they started toasting their subs. Even those made an impression on me!