Why The Big Bang Theory's staunchest haters are wrong

The Verge

"I don’t mean to dismiss the complaints of BBT haters out of hand. The show does still think it’s hilarious that certified geniuses struggle with social interactions and fashion," says Noel Murray. "But," he adds, "it’d be nice if everyone who slams The Big Bang Theory for what they insist is a sneering attitude toward geekdom would recognize how knowledgeable (Chuck) Lorre, (Bill) Prady, and their writers actually are about all the things their haters love. Some shows that reference comic books or science fiction movies make up intentionally silly titles, like Wonder Lad or Galaxy Warriors. On BBT, even the jokes are nearly always about real properties: The Flash, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and so forth. The same goes whenever Sheldon and Leonard talk about technology or physics...By spring 2019, a major network will have spent 12 years airing a massively popular show about brilliant scientists who look forward to Comic-Con, think action figures are cool, and have healthy, fulfilling relationships with each other and with the opposite sex. At a time when superhero movies top the box office and technology wonks like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are household names, The Big Bang Theory has helped promote the idea that nerds are the new normal."