Indians love Friends – it is arguably the most popular American sitcom in our country. If there is another one that comes close, it would have to be the Big Bang Theory. It’s a sitcom with quirky individuals, enjoyable situational comedy and genuine laugh out loud moments. Here is why I think that the Big Bang Theory is the most popular American sitcom in India after Friends.
Sheldon is a child prodigy and a bona fide genius who knows everything about everything and believes that there is only one way to do things: his own way! He has very low EQ, is a germophobe, has a pathological dislike of the outdoors, exercise, touching others…and that is just the tip of the iceberg for the strange and exceedingly quirky Dr Sheldon Cooper.
Leonard with his emotionless mom, high achieving family and pretty but not highly educated girlfriend Penny is almost normal and quite loveable. Howard the sleaze, with his loud but invisible mother and desire/fear of going into space is creepy but strangely fascinating as well. Amy is a brilliant female counterpoint to Sheldon's strangeness.
Rajesh or Raj Koothrappali lends diversity to the show. He is brilliant too; an astrophysicist, but has selective mutism, wants a girlfriend but is awful at relationships, he is a generous and devoted friend but isn’t very clued in about American customs and norms.
If Joey had how you doin’, Sheldon has Bazinga! The little habits and idiosyncrasies of characters in both serials are funny and enjoyable.
Both series have maddeningly catchy title tracks and you find that you simply have to sing / hum along! Most of us cannot help it – we do it even if we can’t carry a tune in a bucket.
They all have relationship troubles: Sheldon doesn’t really want one, but has it anyway. Leonard and Penny were an on-now-off-again thing for the longest time.
Creepy Howard got married, but that didn’t make him any less creepy. He also doesn’t want the responsibilities that come with it. Poor Rajesh is just repeatedly unlucky in love!
They love Star Trek, and Marvel /DC characters, the comic book store is their favourite place and the Comic Con is the highlight of their social calendar. They are all social misfits to a lesser or larger extent, It is all a wee bit sad but also funny!
They are either shy around women, creepy, socially inept, have low self confidence or just hopeless. The nerds and geeks are stereotypical, but funny as well.
The sitcom is most enjoyable in the way that it juxtaposes high IQs with simple common sense. Though Penny is the one with the least bookish knowledge, she is often the one with the greatest emotional maturity and social adeptness. And after Friends which I now realize was regressive in some ways and very much a product of its times, the Big Bang Theory is my new fave show!
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
