Comments on: Big Bang Theory Without the Laugh Track http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/ The Gestalt of Comics, Movies, Games and Technology -- Now With Spin Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:48:08 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Seth Armstrong http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11801 Seth Armstrong Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:52:36 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11801 Btw - favorite character? Howard. Although I love the rest, and Sheldon's appeal is obvious, I probably laugh hardest at Howard's antics. Btw – favorite character? Howard. Although I love the rest, and Sheldon’s appeal is obvious, I probably laugh hardest at Howard’s antics.

]]> By: Seth Armstrong http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11800 Seth Armstrong Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:42:35 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11800 Since the show is written to have a laugh track, the timing of the dialogue and of responses both verbal and physical is different. So it is kind of weird to see it with the laugh track taken out, especially in the second example where it's not done nearly as well. A laugh track isn't necessarily a bad thing, and kind of suits this show (although it's nearly impossible to be objective here). Some just seem better that way. Compare two of my favorites, Black Adder and Twitch City. The former has one, the latter doesn't. The writing and everything else is different depending on whether the show is intended to have one or not. Since the show is written to have a laugh track, the timing of the dialogue and of responses both verbal and physical is different. So it is kind of weird to see it with the laugh track taken out, especially in the second example where it’s not done nearly as well. A laugh track isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and kind of suits this show (although it’s nearly impossible to be objective here). Some just seem better that way. Compare two of my favorites, Black Adder and Twitch City. The former has one, the latter doesn’t. The writing and everything else is different depending on whether the show is intended to have one or not.

]]> By: Christy http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11660 Christy Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:18:55 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11660 I too get surprised looks from people when I mention my geeky interests. I think the base of this is that I'm not bothered by the over the top stereotype portrayal that's found in BBT. I too get surprised looks from people when I mention my geeky interests. I think the base of this is that I’m not bothered by the over the top stereotype portrayal that’s found in BBT.

]]> By: Amber http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11659 Amber Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:12:13 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11659 For the most part the "geeks" I have known have all seemed like everyday people to me. I'm always surprising people by admitting I like sci-fi and fantasy because I don't come off as that kind of person. And most of the people I know are the same way. Now I have run into one or two people like those portrayed in this TV show, but that's it. Well, except at conventions. >;) Out in the day-to-day I don't meet anyone like this. For the most part the “geeks” I have known have all seemed like everyday people to me. I’m always surprising people by admitting I like sci-fi and fantasy because I don’t come off as that kind of person. And most of the people I know are the same way.

Now I have run into one or two people like those portrayed in this TV show, but that’s it. Well, except at conventions. >;) Out in the day-to-day I don’t meet anyone like this.

]]> By: Christy http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11658 Christy Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:02:57 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11658 Ah, the Wil Weaton episode. I found it funny for all of the obvious reasons, but also some that weren't so obvious because I remembered back to TNG days when my sister Chelisa, who's four years older than me, had a crush on him. We would relentlessly tease her when we watched TNG. I think that's what's so great about the show. Yes, they cast a blanket stereotype over geekdom, but then it takes you back into your own personal experiences with them. For example, my sister Erin (yes, I have a lot of sisters and just one brother. Don't feel sorry for him for a moment)is not so much a geek girl. Because of our childhood she does have some geeky interests, fantasy novels, dragons, Jackie Chan, in college she and her friend started an ongoing story about the Chinese Triad mafia. I jumped in at times, but it was mostly her deal. She really likes BBT. She gets the blanket jokes and a few of the others, but I think it's the fact that she has loved ones that fall into this category. Granted none of us are the grossly exaggerated stereotypes that are portrayed, but still there's a comfort there. Ah, the Wil Weaton episode. I found it funny for all of the obvious reasons, but also some that weren’t so obvious because I remembered back to TNG days when my sister Chelisa, who’s four years older than me, had a crush on him. We would relentlessly tease her when we watched TNG.

I think that’s what’s so great about the show. Yes, they cast a blanket stereotype over geekdom, but then it takes you back into your own personal experiences with them.

For example, my sister Erin (yes, I have a lot of sisters and just one brother. Don’t feel sorry for him for a moment)is not so much a geek girl. Because of our childhood she does have some geeky interests, fantasy novels, dragons, Jackie Chan, in college she and her friend started an ongoing story about the Chinese Triad mafia. I jumped in at times, but it was mostly her deal. She really likes BBT. She gets the blanket jokes and a few of the others, but I think it’s the fact that she has loved ones that fall into this category. Granted none of us are the grossly exaggerated stereotypes that are portrayed, but still there’s a comfort there.

]]> By: Christy http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11657 Christy Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:53:10 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11657 Agreed. I think I laugh for different reasons or at different moments than my roommate. Sometimes I have to explain things to her, but she's slowly being converted over to the geeky side. Agreed. I think I laugh for different reasons or at different moments than my roommate. Sometimes I have to explain things to her, but she’s slowly being converted over to the geeky side.

]]> By: Amber http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11656 Amber Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:52:56 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11656 I find the characters are stereotypes. That's what I don't like. I don't watch sitcoms, anyway, to be honest, but this one is just really stilted to me. I find the characters are stereotypes. That’s what I don’t like. I don’t watch sitcoms, anyway, to be honest, but this one is just really stilted to me.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11655 Lisa Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:49:17 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11655 I'm with you Christy, i like this show a lot too. It and How i met your mother are two of only 3 shows i regularly watch on tv anymore. But i think that it might have appealed to me as a physicist first, honestly. I think it's a little cute that a lot of people here think that they pick major geek things that everyone knows about though. Geek culture isn't as main stream as the internet leads us to believe, i promise you. A very large chunk of that audience did NOT know who wil wheaton was before seeing that show. I’m with you Christy, i like this show a lot too. It and How i met your mother are two of only 3 shows i regularly watch on tv anymore. But i think that it might have appealed to me as a physicist first, honestly. I think it’s a little cute that a lot of people here think that they pick major geek things that everyone knows about though. Geek culture isn’t as main stream as the internet leads us to believe, i promise you. A very large chunk of that audience did NOT know who wil wheaton was before seeing that show.

]]> By: Jason http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11603 Jason Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:25:57 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11603 Does the rolling help!?! Does the rolling help!?!

]]> By: Christy http://www.geeksix.com/2010/02/big-bang-theory-without-the-laugh-track/comment-page-1/#comment-11535 Christy Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:50:11 +0000 http://www.geeksix.com/?p=6596#comment-11535 No worries Josh. When I finally had a moment to read your Mass Effect post I realized that you mentioned the armor. I was a little late to that party. I feel like BBT gets more heart as the characters develops. And I can see what you're saying, it's just that I don't notice it as much and it doesn't really bother me all that much. No worries Josh. When I finally had a moment to read your Mass Effect post I realized that you mentioned the armor. I was a little late to that party.

I feel like BBT gets more heart as the characters develops. And I can see what you’re saying, it’s just that I don’t notice it as much and it doesn’t really bother me all that much.

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