Fans are still rewatching the comings and goings of the loveable nerds, but revisiting the sitcom with a modern and more critical eye means realizing things about it that might’ve gone under the radar during its original airing. Unfortunately, not all are positive.
The Big Bang Theory Characters Are Somewhat Unlikable
The Big Bang Theory owed its initial success to its unique and clever mix of science and humor but mostly to its talented cast, who often elevated the material. This group of charming performers did a lot to make up for their characters’ many flaws, but even they couldn’t maintain the facade forever.
The show exaggerated its characters’ flaws to the point where they became unbearable — Penny became too dumb, Bernadette too aggressive, Raj too spoiled, Leonard too pathetic. By season 8, these once relatable bunch of nerds were straight-up bullies to each other, rendering them unlikable to even the sitcom’s most loyal fans.
Sheldon Is The Worst
Although Sheldon starts as someone who genuinely doesn’t understand the intricacies of social dynamics, the show slowly turns him into an annoying, borderline cruel bully who makes fun of everyone, from his purported best friend to his girlfriend. Everyone gives him a pass because he’s just Sheldon being Sheldon, but his antics become unbearable in later seasons.
Penny Settled For Leonard
Penny and Leonard’s relationship went through a tumultuous journey. Although there’s genuine love between them, Penny has severe commitment issues, while Leonard struggles with low self-esteem and insecurity. However, neither works on their problems, instead choosing to ignore them while staying together.
The Big Bang Theory loved to punch down, making fun of how Penny was too good for Leonard and how she settled for him, but that was the truth. While Penny becomes more successful as the show progresses, Leonard stays the same. To make matters worse, all their friends, and even Penny, occasionally make fun of Leonard’s lack of accomplishments.
Although the show had many memorable couples, Howard and Bernadette were TBBT‘s best couple for several seasons. Thanks to their endearing dynamic, the two became the stars of many of the show’s most emotional and meaningful scenes.
However, their personalities changed for the worst as time passed until they eventually became incredibly toxic, both alone and with each other. The sitcom’s numerous attempts to make fun of Howard’s mother issues also became problematic after a while, especially after Bernadette began to behave like a carbon copy of Mrs. Wolowitz.
Why Did Amy Put Up With So Much From Sheldon?
Looking back on The Big Bang Theory is realizing Amy was a saint. Not only was she incredibly patient with Sheldon, but she also put up with his tantrums, insults, and idiosyncrasies for years without any promise of a long-term commitment.
Raj Was Sensitive, But He Wasn’t Any Better Than The Rest
Poor Raj. When The Big Bang Theory isn’t making fun of his clothing, shy personality, or spoiled behavior, it’s mocking his accent, heritage, and culture. Howard insults him in almost every episode, and his friends often make derogatory comments about him, often to his face.
Still, it’s not like Raj is a good character. He is rude, often insensitive, and even demeaning. Though he endures dreadful bullying, his personality is as toxic and taxing as the show’s other characters. Raj was one of TBBT‘s most problematic characters, and it’s easy to understand why on a rewatch.
Every Parent On The Big Bang Theory Was Awful
Bad parents are one of television’s most enduring tropes. They make for funny characters who say sassy and offensive things, but fans can laugh without feeling bad for the kids of these awful people.
The Big Bang Theory’s Laugh-Track Is Cringe
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Laugh tracks are a relic of a strange past. They rarely work and feel out of place, especially when the show’s jokes aren’t good. The Big Bang Theory had multiple occasions where the laugh track was more distracting than anything, especially when the series overdid it.
Rewatching TBBT now is realizing how annoying the laugh track is. In later seasons, it feels egregiously unnecessary, to the point where it distracts from the humor. Fewer sitcoms have laugh tracks now, making Big Bang one of the last sitcoms to use that obnoxious crutch.
The Big Bang Theory’s Humor Is Very Offensive
As with many old shows, there are numerous things about Sheldon and company that haven’t aged well. However, nothing stands out as much as the offensive humor that TBBT thrived on for 12 years. From racist innuendos to sexist insults and creepy behavior, The Big Bang Theory is a storm of problematic jokes.
The Big Bang Theory Isn’t Very Good
The harsh reality is that The Big Bang Theory is not a very good show. Unlike other sitcoms that remained fresh throughout their run, the magic of TBBT‘s early seasons was lost somewhere down the road. The humor became stale and the plots boring, and while the cast managed to elevate the material, they also seemed on auto-pilot throughout the final seasons.
The Big Bang Theory‘s formula was not interesting or compelling enough to support 12 seasons, and by the end, the show was but a ghost of what it once was. It’s fortunate it didn’t go on for more seasons, considering it had already overstayed its welcome.
