When did this show jump the shark? - The Big Bang Theory (2007) Discussion

[–] drewstewartcolumbia 8 years ago

The writing has just gotten stale, and the producers are trying too many way out things to return the show to its former glory. Most shows don't last for 10 seasons because they run their course.
As for an exact moment, I think it began when the producers began contriving "pipe dreams" like the satellite device into their laps. Just my $.02.

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[–] Xcalat3 8 years ago

The writing has just gotten stale, and the producers are trying too many way out things to return the show to its former glory. Most shows don't last for 10 seasons because they run their course.

this.

Libera te tu temet ex inferis.
pro ego sum diabolus, pro ego sum nex.

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[–] Koolguy456789 8 years ago

Introduction of Amy

[url]https://s31.postimg.org/aobknqat7/invasion.jpg[/us rl]

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[–] jackjackisback14 8 years ago

I would have said Raj being able to talk to women sober.

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[–] burgershmurger 8 years ago

When they were all domesticated by the girfriends. Also, when they started changing the characters' behavior.

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[–] otter68 8 years ago

^^This^^
I realize it's hard to keep a show going without the characters evolving, but if you go back and watch season one when Sheldon had little clue on how to socialize with people outside of intellectual discussions and video games, Leonard was a nerd who would spout off trivia like the origin of "sleep tight," Raj had selective mutism, and Howard was a sleezy schemer, it was funnier as the character's quirks worked well, but now most of those quirks have been bred out of the guys. Penny went from being sweet and clueless to being a career woman alcoholic.

Then they turned Bernadette into a mean, vindictive harpy.
And Amy went from being a female Sheldon: socially awkward, more interested in intellectual pursuits than chit chat and socializing, etc to just a...I don't know how to describe her now.

"Insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong." J.J. Rousseau

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[–] jaynekranc 8 years ago

I realize it's hard to keep a show going without the characters evolving, but if you go back and watch season one when Sheldon had little clue on how to socialize with people outside of intellectual discussions and video games

Sheldon changed most in the first couple of seasons for me, not in the last couple. Everyone acts like he never understood the nature of sarcasm, romance or sexual relationships at the beginning. But in the first season he knew about those things and it was clear that he knew, especially when it came to him thinking Leonard had no hope of getting with Penny. He flat out says to Leonard that he has no chance of having sex with Penny in season one. And Sheldon occasionally used sarcasm himself in the early episodes. Remember when Leonard said he and Penny would have babies that were beautiful and smart and Sheldon said they would be imaginary? And he didn't do the knocking thing at first. His character changed into the purely intellectual but childish person who didn't understand sex, love, or sarcasm or did the OCD knocking.

I do agree with you about Penny being a career woman alcoholic, although I never found her sweet or clueless in the early seasons. She was a user. Bernadette did change and I don't like the changes. Raj did change and I don't like the changes. I love Amy with Sheldon, though.

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[–] kerryedavis 8 years ago

In episode TWO it was commented that Sheldon might require someone to hold up a sign to let him know when sarcasm is being used. And then Leonard does so, when Penny is being sarcastic and Sheldon doesn't understand.

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[–] jaynekranc 8 years ago

There was inconsistency from the start. I'm not denying that. But I would definitely consider some of the things he said as successful use of sarcasm.

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[–] kerryedavis 8 years ago

Evidently there was a difference between him using it, and being able to recognize it from others.

Maybe in his own mind, something like "not to mention imaginary" was less sarcastic than a reality-based comment. So when Penny says "what kind of doctor removes my foot from your ass?" he thought that could be serious too.

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[–] Gojira1963 8 years ago

I love the character of Amy and to me she saved the show. It's not as good without her.

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[–] rmontro 8 years ago

I would have said Raj being able to talk to women sober

I thought they kept that going long after it had outlived its usefulness.
I do think the show has jumped the shark though. Not sure exactly when, but it's just gotten stale.

How about when Penny cut her hair, that seems like a good point.

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[–] jackjackisback14 8 years ago

I just brought up that point because that was the last good season of the show imo.

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[–] willsons-2 8 years ago

"stale" and "jumping the shark" are two different concepts. You (like just about everyone else who misuses the term) needs to stop conflating them.

"I care about the law. It's justice I don't give a toss about." Cleaver Greene

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[–] samkaysam 8 years ago

I thought they kept that going long after it had outlived its usefulness.

Thank you. IMHO, they ruined the character by going with this waaay too long. If they had gone with this for like 2 seasons tops, then gradually opened him up, they could have mined better comedy material. Stumbling, being awkward, slowly gaining confidence, but being petrified when meeting new women, etc, etc. Endless storylines.

Instead, he couldn't, then one day, just like that, he could. Lazy writing, missed opportunity.

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[–] blakgard 8 years ago

Don't think it has.

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[–] MurphAndTheMagicTones 8 years ago

People still use that phrase???

---
"Image of 'lovable losers' gets us more tail than Sinatra."---Chicago Cubs, Late Night Top 10

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[–] paul-heyes 8 years ago

Only when it's entirely inappropriate.

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[–] Gojira1963 8 years ago

it has not yet in my opinion.

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[–] Gothish 8 years ago

Agree.

"Two gin and Frescas"
"Shaken, not ridiculed"

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[–] Darth_Qaidous 8 years ago

It hasn't "jumped the shark" yet, but stay tuned for some kind of moment akin to that.

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[–] jaynekranc 8 years ago

I don't think it did. I think that term is majorly misused. But the show is running on fumes and if they want to go out while they are ahead, I think they should start wrapping it up.

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[–] jackjackisback14 8 years ago

I think they should've wrapped up two or three years ago.

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