While recently writing my review of this weeks episode of the Big Bang Theory I somehow started writing about the kind of crazy messed up theory that really only has a place on Television Love Affair. It all started when I realized that this is three really good episodes in a row for Big Bang. Its an achievement really. Not because the Big Bang is incapable of good episodes. In fact I clearly like the show a lot, hence the fact that I watch it and review it for the site. But the string of great episodes is interesting because it is like nerds are providing yet another counterpoint to jocks.
When athletes sign long-term contracts, their playing performance tends to suffer. They inexplicably get worse. A recent example is Vernon Wells, the bane of my Toronto baseball fan existence, signed a $100 million dollar contract over 10 years. And then he sucked. I bring this up because, the Big Bang Theory seems to have gone in the other direction. They were signed on for a 3 year extension and have had nothing but good episodes since then. Well done boys, well done.
Specifically, I’m really happy with Raj’s play. Raj’s hilarity used to come often through whispering things to Howard, and Howard saying them outloud. But the show has figured out ways (through social drinking and day dreams) to have Raj interact with women. This coupled with his already pertinent social commentary on various issues in nerd culture make his contribution to the show irreplaceable. If this were a basketball team Raj would be the guy in the starting 5 who really started to show what he is worth this year.
Keeping with the basketball analogy, Penny is the veteran player who has started to slip. She was hampered by an injury this year and her performance has suffered (literally, she broke her leg and had to be written out of a couple shows this year). She is the Brandon Roy of the Big Bang theory. Flashes of brilliance in the past, but now we don’t know what the future holds for Penny. I am really hoping that a writer on the Big Bang staff can pick up the role of the Phoenix Suns training staff and rejuvenate her much like the suns staff were able to rejuvenate Shaq and have maintained Steve Nash into his twilight years.
Other notable mentions in the show are Amy Farrah Fowler and of course our stars of Sheldon and Leonard. Amy Farrah Fowler is 6th man of the year. She is Manu Ganobli. (It should be noted that I am aware that this reference is dated. However, it has been quite some time since I followed basketball on a regular basis so bear with me basketball fans... think back four or five years and all this makes sense.) She comes in with very awesome iChat scenes with Sheldon and the occasional focus in the show. It is fantastic. She gets that comedic offense rolling when she enters the game.
Sheldon is Tim Duncan. He does a few things really well and has been doing them for years. Keep on rolling Sheldon, you will keep making money and your fans happy with some championships (aka good episodes).
Leonard. I don’t know who to relate Leonard to and that stems from the fact that I don’t know basketball well enough. I am consulting with basketball expert @maxmillien as we speak
(no answer on my message to him so I will post my own random thoughts). I think Leonard is Kobe. He is a star player who has adapted his play to suit the needs of his team. Kobe started sharing the ball more last year and they won a championship. That’s like Leonard. There are no championships but Leonard was the focus of the show for a while, relationship with Penny and whatnot he was the star. But he adapted, shared the ball a bit more and not the show is on a great tract. Well done sir. Well done. The trophy in the form of my praise and appreciation is here.
Well that’s really it. For more Big Bang news check out Stuck on A Channel in the next day or so for my review of this past week’s episode.
Keep on dropping them dimes.
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