Why no Star Trek Discovery references on The Big Bang Theory?
- Thread starter WraithDukat
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Yeah, it's a Chuck Lurie show so there's very little chance that having "taste" is part of the equation.Maybe they have taste? Doesn't seem likely though.
TBBT is supposed to be a sit com about geeks. But the way it's written it actually comes off as a show that is really about the mainstream's idea of a stereotype of geeks and makes jokes at that group's expense. It may be the lamest show ever when it comes to it's depiction of nerds.
The jokes, most of which you can see coming from the moment the opening credits flash, are all superficial riffs on geeks being allergic to girls, totally ignorant of anything that doesn't involve space ships and ray guns, geeks living with their parents, the usual stuff that mainstream audiences think geeks are about.
The main characters, all of whom are geeks, ALL like the stuff that geeks are supposed to like, comics (the same comics), sci fi movies (the same sci fi movies). That is because the characters are all based on stereotypes rather than real life nerds.
I was watching Community (a show that was written by nerds, about nerds, and aimed at nerds) at the same time I was watching the first two or three seasons of TBBT in reruns, and was struck by the differences between the shows. Seemed like every other joke was about Star Wars or TOS on TBBT, while on Community, the clever Trek "reference" was tied up in Troy's obsession with Lavar Burton, but because of Burton's Reading Rainbow, not TNG. No mention of Geordi Laforge or TNG. They didn't mention TNG because the Comm producers knew that their audience got the joke. TBBT had Summer Glau on as a guest star and never mentioned Firefly, the show she is most known for among nerds. How do you do that?
I used to work in Orange County Calif with mostly middle aged and older (but very nice and mostly decent) people. They LOVED watching reality TV shows almost exclusively -- shows like Duck Dynasty and the like. But they LOVED TBBT. If the show had made a joke about Firefly my ex-office mates would have been like "what's Firefly?" I suspect many in the TBBT audience might have been asking the that question.
Assuming the TBBT producers are aware of DSC, and that's no guarantee, from a purely nerdy standpoint, if TBBT continues to not mention DSC, it likely says everything about TBBT's usual shaky grip on real nerd life.
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I'm guessing you haven't watched in a very long time. Two of the geeks are married, one of which has two kids and a third is engaged. The pop references are pretty spot on. Either they do a lot of research or they have some actual geeks on staff.
Leonard: That's only vaguely Star Trek.
Sheldon: How can the hologram of Sarek sit on a table?
Penny: What did they do to Sonequa's hair?
Howard: Think they made the bridge big enough?
Raj: Why does the ship have to flip over for a "mushroom jump?"
Bernadette: Where's the guy in the wheel chair with the burned face?
Amy: I knew in three minutes Lorca was from the mirror universe.
When did Discovery stop being a dumpster fire?
Did you mean to say the eleven season, multi-award winning, average 17 million viewers, incredibly fun, top rated, worst comedy ever?
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Tenacity said:
Popular =/= Good
Common misconception.
Good is subjective, but just because the masses like something doesn't mean it should be universally accepted as acclaimed.
That data is also subjective. To me, the Big Bang Theory only proves how little we've come to expect from our comedies these days. Rather saddening.
That data is also subjective. To me, the Big Bang Theory only proves how little we've come to expect from our comedies these days. Rather saddening.
^ Haven't watched since season 3 or maybe 4. I was watching the syndicated version on week nights. Although two of the main characters have gotten married, it's hard for me to believe that the basic nature of the show has changed much. The audience has gotten to know the characters now so, much easier to make a radical change like allowing them to fall in love and marry.
However, I will concede that there is at least a possibility that the writing staff may now include people who actually understand geek culture. But I'd have to see this for myself. Maybe I'll check out a few current episodes.
However, I will concede that there is at least a possibility that the writing staff may now include people who actually understand geek culture. But I'd have to see this for myself. Maybe I'll check out a few current episodes.
The data shows people like it. Frankly it's a well written show. The jokes work. The geek stuff is accurate. The science is accurate. And as a geek/nerd I see myself and my friends reflected in the characters.
*Haven't watched since ever.
You really shouldn't assume that EVERYBODY on planet Earth will watch a show simply because it's popular.
And yes, I've still seen it. I've been unlucky enough to have caught a few episodes and I literally wanted to die through the whole thing. It's not comedy, it's waving a shiny object in front of a baby, hence the excessive laugh track every 2 seconds. Afraid of a little silence and crafted jokes, are we, BBT?
With the quality of writing you've demonstrated, I'm hardly surprised on that.
How about just accept that some people don't like the same thing as you, regardless if everyone you know or the general consensus says otherwise?
I think it's a poorly written and very unfunny show. Deal with it.
Who's done what?
And it would probably be just about this funny.
I expect comedies to be funny and entertaining, TBBT delivers.
If you're judging against the Modern Sitcom genre, there's nothing wrong with BBT. It's a genre with inherently very low standards, which BBT slightly exceeds. It succeeds at being safe and appealing generically to common denominators. It's trying to appeal a little to a lot of people -- and succeeding. Hence, high ratings. Just if you compare it to more ambitious shows or genres with higher standards that don't need to tell the audience when to laugh, it doesn't compare as well.
Discovery hasn't really crossed over to mainstream enough for the BBT audience to get the references.
Discovery hasn't really crossed over to mainstream enough for the BBT audience to get the references.
I dunno, they've made Babylon Five jokes!
Babylon Five was on for years, had multiple overlapping story lines that took years to play out, it was very well done and had a impact on the science fiction community.
Discovery has had one season and a lot of people don't know yet what to make of it.
There are a lot of sci-fi and fantasy shows currently on that don't get any mentions on TBBT.
Discovery has had one season and a lot of people don't know yet what to make of it.
There are a lot of sci-fi and fantasy shows currently on that don't get any mentions on TBBT.
My point is it was never mainstream.
And I'm afraid I have to disagree on the second part. To quote Sheldon Cooper
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