• Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 24, 2007
Season #: 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1348 Ratings

User score distribution:
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User Reviews

  1. May 24, 2012
    1
    I heard so much hype about this show that I decided to give it a shot and watched maybe 5 episodes with the hopes that it might improve. I honestly didn't find it entertaining in the least, much less, funny. I consider myself a geek in a lot of respects so I thought I could empathize with the characters, but they're at best just stereotypical characters making for stale entertainment. TheI heard so much hype about this show that I decided to give it a shot and watched maybe 5 episodes with the hopes that it might improve. I honestly didn't find it entertaining in the least, much less, funny. I consider myself a geek in a lot of respects so I thought I could empathize with the characters, but they're at best just stereotypical characters making for stale entertainment. The creators don't seem to see that understanding references to geek/nerd culture does't and and of itself make the show appealing to geeks and nerds. I don't mean to make a broad generalization here, but the friends of mine who do enjoy this show are the ones who have high thresholds for offensive content (i.e.: the idea that women will stop being rational and forgive your wrongs if you give them a tiara) and are typically thought of as the daft ones in the group, though, they don't identify as geeks or nerds either. Expand
  2. Aug 13, 2010
    3
    I'm sorry but there is something seriously, fundamentally, achingly, scarily wrong with that 8.2. I'm actually literally scared for the well being of myself and this country.
  3. Oct 1, 2015
    0
    I genuinely enjoyed the first season which was about Leonard and Penny's awkward semi-courtship. The other guys were just background comedy and not too annoying. When season 2 started, Sheldon was brought front and center and there is really nothing funny about him. If Sheldon were a real person, no one would ever hang out with him. He's a terrible person in every way. There is nothingI genuinely enjoyed the first season which was about Leonard and Penny's awkward semi-courtship. The other guys were just background comedy and not too annoying. When season 2 started, Sheldon was brought front and center and there is really nothing funny about him. If Sheldon were a real person, no one would ever hang out with him. He's a terrible person in every way. There is nothing funny about that. His character is is so hard to watch that it's tainted my opinion of the actor. Also, none of the characters seem to be very smart as learning anything new is very difficult for them and their knowledge of geek culture is limited to a few references to comics no one cares about and Star Trek/Star Wars. A very hard show to watch and certainly not very funny. Expand
  4. Mar 9, 2018
    0
    Big Bang Theory? More like "How Many Laugh Tracks Can We Fit In 30 Minutes?" "Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny" *Penny opens door* "What Sheldon?" Laugh track: HAHAHAHAHAHA THAT WAS SO FUNNY LOL. Sheldon: "Is your refrigerator running?" Penny: "Of course." Sheldon: "Good ours stopped working can I borrow some milk?" Laugh Track: OMG HAHAHA LMFAO THIS IS THE PINNACLE OF COMEDY. AtBig Bang Theory? More like "How Many Laugh Tracks Can We Fit In 30 Minutes?" "Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny" *Penny opens door* "What Sheldon?" Laugh track: HAHAHAHAHAHA THAT WAS SO FUNNY LOL. Sheldon: "Is your refrigerator running?" Penny: "Of course." Sheldon: "Good ours stopped working can I borrow some milk?" Laugh Track: OMG HAHAHA LMFAO THIS IS THE PINNACLE OF COMEDY. At least shows like That 70's Show use them just enough. Maybe a little too much every here and there but they aren't put there to make you think it's funny. Show's like Dan Harmon/NBC's Community don't need laugh tracks because the comedy speaks for itself. It'll be a cold day in hell if I'm caught watching this show. Expand
  5. Jun 11, 2017
    0
    This show is pure garbage. Not only is the humor so forced and un-clever that it borderline hurts, but nothing about the characters (other then sheldon) are even remotely believable. The characters are downright awful to each other for the sake of a cheap laugh, and the"nerdiness" could be summed up by a one way trip to FYE and 10 minutes with the internet. A true sign of how bad this showThis show is pure garbage. Not only is the humor so forced and un-clever that it borderline hurts, but nothing about the characters (other then sheldon) are even remotely believable. The characters are downright awful to each other for the sake of a cheap laugh, and the"nerdiness" could be summed up by a one way trip to FYE and 10 minutes with the internet. A true sign of how bad this show is, simply look up "Big bang theory no laughtrack" and feast your eyes on the painfully un-witty and utterly pointless dialogue in its true form. This is truly, and I mean it, the most overrated television show on any network what so ever. A revolting embarrassment in every way. Expand
  6. BradH
    Feb 9, 2009
    0
    They should have titled this show "4 nerds an a 6" The male nerd characters are one dimensional and unfunny, the girl is average looking and unexplored. You could put a 4 midgets playing badmitton after 2 1/2 men and it would still draw good ratings. Unwatchable!
  7. ChristianP.
    Oct 23, 2007
    0
    this is a disaster. every "nerd" stereotype possible, plus a storyline as cliched as the hot girl next door... the jokes are far from smart. they are easy, sad, and half-assed. kill this show now.
  8. Jun 18, 2013
    3
    Hey a chuck Lorre sitcom hell yeah Actually no.... Two and a half men made me cry with laughter such good depth and now we have a show with racial Indian stereotypes and half of the script is Sheldon talking.....continuous confusing jibber jabber HAHAHAH SO FUNNY that audience must be drugged honestly. The show is no where near as good as two and a half men and each episode is like aHey a chuck Lorre sitcom hell yeah Actually no.... Two and a half men made me cry with laughter such good depth and now we have a show with racial Indian stereotypes and half of the script is Sheldon talking.....continuous confusing jibber jabber HAHAHAH SO FUNNY that audience must be drugged honestly. The show is no where near as good as two and a half men and each episode is like a completely new world like a fresh Start like nothing in the past episode matters....they need to learn to have depth...and story like HIMYM for instance disappointment but a few good Howard and Amy laughs to be honest Expand
  9. Oct 25, 2014
    0
    I realized after watching this that the people around me laughing were less than I had imagined. This show changed my life, an awakening of sorts. It sunk in with a profound sense of finality that I am not like them, that I had outgrown my environment.
  10. Dec 18, 2012
    0
    This show is just so stupid another boring sitcom that just sucks like every sitcom ever invented the characters suck and never ever watch this show ever you will never laugh PERIOD!
  11. Jul 10, 2012
    1
    Atrociously overhyped. People who say they are nerds told me that I'd love this show. Honestly, The BIg Bang Theory is blackface for nerds. It's insulting to people who love geeky stuff, and to women in general, considering Penny is only there for the male characters to treat her like an alien because that's what the writers think people who are nerds do. How is this funny? JustAtrociously overhyped. People who say they are nerds told me that I'd love this show. Honestly, The BIg Bang Theory is blackface for nerds. It's insulting to people who love geeky stuff, and to women in general, considering Penny is only there for the male characters to treat her like an alien because that's what the writers think people who are nerds do. How is this funny? Just because you play a laugh track after every line doesn't mean it'll be the funniest thing ever. Expand
  12. Jan 25, 2013
    0
    This show appals me, first of all the humour is forced and repetitive, it all revolves around Sheldon's OCD/Autistic tics. Second of all, I find this offensive, as it basically states that intelligent people are social train wrecks.
  13. cfadfcwfcwrfw
    Jun 1, 2008
    0
    Very not funny, bad timing, obvious, don't care about the characters. Don't mean to be rude but i think many American comedies are exactly the same, no risk and obvious humor. Joey..big bang...just shoot me...my name is Raymond, hope and faith or whatever that craps called. Loving Curb your enthusiasm at the moment, shame producers aren't looking at more modern American Very not funny, bad timing, obvious, don't care about the characters. Don't mean to be rude but i think many American comedies are exactly the same, no risk and obvious humor. Joey..big bang...just shoot me...my name is Raymond, hope and faith or whatever that craps called. Loving Curb your enthusiasm at the moment, shame producers aren't looking at more modern American comedies like that. Expand
  14. FerdB
    Oct 18, 2009
    0
    Think "Nerdface" -- as in "Blackface" Insulting on several levels, predictable, 30 years out of date, intensely not funny. Feeds into offensive stereotypes rather than trying to explode them. I can extrapolate the entire series based on the pilot -- or just on the character descriptions. This review is based on the pilot and two other episodes late in the first season. If since Think "Nerdface" -- as in "Blackface" Insulting on several levels, predictable, 30 years out of date, intensely not funny. Feeds into offensive stereotypes rather than trying to explode them. I can extrapolate the entire series based on the pilot -- or just on the character descriptions. This review is based on the pilot and two other episodes late in the first season. If since repremanded my TiVo for this -- it will not happen again. Expand
  15. Jan 12, 2014
    0
    This is probably one of the worst tv shows of all time, right next to 30 Rock and The Jersey shore. I wouldnt even know where to begin, none of the jokes are funny and they do this nifty trick to try and convince the people that its funny by putting canned laughter after every single bad joke. THey claim that its actually a live studio audience, but thats either a lie or the people areThis is probably one of the worst tv shows of all time, right next to 30 Rock and The Jersey shore. I wouldnt even know where to begin, none of the jokes are funny and they do this nifty trick to try and convince the people that its funny by putting canned laughter after every single bad joke. THey claim that its actually a live studio audience, but thats either a lie or the people are really really reallly high. Expand
  16. Jul 11, 2013
    0
    Terrible. The writing, acting, and overall production is terrible. I cant believe people would watch this, if you like good tv. Stay away from this show.
  17. Nov 4, 2014
    0
    Crap show, crap cast, not funny, overhyped, over promoted. Is this the best we have for TV? Cmon. I hardly know anyone who even watches this unfunny garbage. Give me a break. Terrible.
  18. MK
    Oct 22, 2007
    1
    Terrible. Gave it a 1 for actually making it past the first episode.
  19. JasonM.
    Sep 24, 2007
    1
    I'm a fan of How I Met Your Mother and I was taping Chuck anyways so I decided to watch this in between HIMYM and Heroes and it was a huge mistake. I had to turn it off after 10 minutes because it was so painful to watch. I'm sure it's great for people who like to laugh at nerds because they use "nerd lingo" and apparently have no social skills. It's just distasteful.
  20. Chaz
    Jan 14, 2008
    0
    I tried watching. i like most of the characters... but the effeminate, im smarter than everyone else on the planet pee-wee herman guy is way to annoying. too over the top.
  21. Jul 17, 2013
    1
    "Bazinga", "Zimbabwe" or whatever, I just can't figure out what's supposed to be funny about this show. The characters are more tragic than comic. If it wasn't for the laugh track, this would be a show about 4 aliens that take human form and try to learn how humans act. There is also a girl who I cannot understand for the sake of my life. I mean who could be around those 4 "people" for"Bazinga", "Zimbabwe" or whatever, I just can't figure out what's supposed to be funny about this show. The characters are more tragic than comic. If it wasn't for the laugh track, this would be a show about 4 aliens that take human form and try to learn how humans act. There is also a girl who I cannot understand for the sake of my life. I mean who could be around those 4 "people" for more than 5 minutes and not commit suicide?

    The jokes are barely even there. Every time a character makes a video game, comic book or science reference the laugh track rolls in, so I suppose that it's supposed to be funny? It isn't. Simply mentioning stuff isn't enough to make a joke. Penny: "Hey Sheldon what are you doing?" Sheldon: "Playing video games" and then "BWHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA". Penny: "Hey Sheldon, am I pretty?" Sheldong: "No, science is pretty" "BWHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA". It's not funny, and it's literally the same every single episode. I watched a bunch of episodes of this show, I wanted to give it a chance, I wanted to see what the hype is about. It just turned out the be the same ****ty "jokes"

    This show panders terribly to people who think science should be made fun of, and that science is for losers. If you are one of those people then go watch the show, you will probably like it. Just make sure that it doesn't suck up the time you watch your favorite reality TV show.
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  22. Jun 27, 2013
    0
    Not funny at all, and makes me feel as if my IQ drops numbers every time I hear it in the background. There's a laugh track that goes off about every 5 seconds to something that is just completely idiotic. I would not suggest anyone who is caught up in technology has any bit of intelligence to watch this show.
  23. Sep 8, 2013
    0
    So many things to hate about this show. Bazinga, the laugh track, the fact that every character is a stereotype, the forced "nerd culture," the way they present Asperger's, the way they make their audience feel smart by explaining every damn joke to them.

    This is one of the most overrated, unfunny shows on TV, and no, I'm not dumb for not liking it. I get the high school general
    So many things to hate about this show. Bazinga, the laugh track, the fact that every character is a stereotype, the forced "nerd culture," the way they present Asperger's, the way they make their audience feel smart by explaining every damn joke to them.

    This is one of the most overrated, unfunny shows on TV, and no, I'm not dumb for not liking it. I get the high school general sciences jokes and "geek" references, they're just not funny, and the laugh track isn't fooling me to think they are.
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  24. Aug 5, 2014
    0
    70's era sexist throwback sitcom aimed at trying to put pantomime nerds back in their place. Comes complete with a laugh track that never, ever stops. Also spouts antiquated and obvious pop culture references that could make a decent writer like Dan Harmon or Joss Whedon vomit blood. Probably represents baby boomer fear of millennial generation in some way. If you are 60+ or just resent70's era sexist throwback sitcom aimed at trying to put pantomime nerds back in their place. Comes complete with a laugh track that never, ever stops. Also spouts antiquated and obvious pop culture references that could make a decent writer like Dan Harmon or Joss Whedon vomit blood. Probably represents baby boomer fear of millennial generation in some way. If you are 60+ or just resent smart people, this is the show that will grant you the nostalgic delusion you crave. For everyone else, take a prescribed painkiller at least 30 minutes before attempting to view; then when you inevitably turn it off after 10 minutes, your migraine will already be medicated. Expand
  25. Apr 8, 2012
    0
    This isnt comedy. This show is not funny in the slightest. And its not because im not clever enough to get the jokes, its because there are hardly any jokes in it, and whem one does finally come along, its the opposite of funny. Is there even a plot? I cannot believe the number of people that actually swallow this garbage.
  26. Oct 23, 2011
    3
    A fresh idea but executed poorly. Pandering to masses, BBT explains in excruciating detail any reference to geek or pop culture and eventually becomes just another sitcom. Over use of laugh track detracts from actual jokes, while many of its characters rely on the same gimmick far too often.
  27. ChrisC.
    Sep 24, 2007
    0
    Three camera style sitcoms are lame in general, but this one manages to feature even less believable negative nerd stereotypes than Steve Urkel. I don't think any of the writers has ever met an actual nerd. The goal of the writing seems to be to make it's viewers feel better about antagonizing them in high school. And even being personally insulted by every single line Three camera style sitcoms are lame in general, but this one manages to feature even less believable negative nerd stereotypes than Steve Urkel. I don't think any of the writers has ever met an actual nerd. The goal of the writing seems to be to make it's viewers feel better about antagonizing them in high school. And even being personally insulted by every single line wouldn't be so bad if any of the jokes were remotely funny, any of the situations not completely forced, or if any of the characters seemed remotely similar to any human being you might actually meet in real life. Expand
  28. Mar 9, 2012
    0
    juxtapositions: the show
    horrendous jokes, cliched characters, uninteresting plot and an out of control laugh-track that forces the lesser minded audience (which is to say, 90% of them) to laugh every 2 minutes, I don't think I have ever seen a more unfunny show in my entire life.
  29. Jun 10, 2012
    0
    This show attracts the worst kind of fanbase: pretentious smart people who think they're better than everyone, dumb people who laugh at anything that sounds funny or "weird", and people who think that they turn smart by watching this show. And for what? A show with the worst laughtrack ever that laughs at inappropriate times? I remember a clip where the audience was howling with laughterThis show attracts the worst kind of fanbase: pretentious smart people who think they're better than everyone, dumb people who laugh at anything that sounds funny or "weird", and people who think that they turn smart by watching this show. And for what? A show with the worst laughtrack ever that laughs at inappropriate times? I remember a clip where the audience was howling with laughter when he told Penny that he was playing SM64 on an emulator. Is that really a joke? This show does not get its laughs from good writing, it gets its laughs from the characters being wacky and unorthodox. That is just some plebeian **** right there I'm sorry, but if you watch this show, then you the worst kind of person. Expand
  30. Jun 1, 2012
    3
    I'll just say it out loud. This show appeals to people who think they're smart because they "get" the scientific references or, as one might call them, jokes. Unforunately most of these fall totally flat and the added laugh track doesn't help. Quite the contrary, in my opinion it just reinforces the thought of this show being catered to not so smart people who have to be told when a jokeI'll just say it out loud. This show appeals to people who think they're smart because they "get" the scientific references or, as one might call them, jokes. Unforunately most of these fall totally flat and the added laugh track doesn't help. Quite the contrary, in my opinion it just reinforces the thought of this show being catered to not so smart people who have to be told when a joke was made. The actors are pretty bad in their delivery, I'm not surprised we don't see these people in any others works. The sheldon character is particularly badly played, with every line being so over the top it's just bafflin to me how this can be appealing. Also I don't see a lot of comedic talent in these actors, the delivery is usually very flat and emotionless. I get how the jokes are supposed to be funny but most of the times they just aren't. Occasionally a joke works but even then it's just mildly funny. I know the show because sometimes I sit through an episode with my flat mates, who like it. If you're looking for a decent sitcom, watch the first five seasons of Scrubs. Expand
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 23
  2. Negative: 4 out of 23
  1. It may not be a creative breakthrough, but it's lots funnier than the universal equation would predict.
  2. Standard setup? Sure. Standard execution? For the most part.
  3. 40
    The show might even have been engaging, if the one-liners came less frequently and the characters had a little more dimension. As it is, Sheldon and Leonard are merely laughable, if sweet, and they are even less fleshed out than the characters on "Two and a Half Men."