Roush on The Big Bang Theory
Question: First, I just want you to know that I love how you love television! You have a pure passion for it, and I love that. You give your opinion on programs, whether positive or negative, and you don't criticize people who think differently. I actually watched a full episode of
Two and a Half Men,
and while I can understand its popularity, all the double entendres and vulgarity actually turned me off. But I watched it and formed my own opinion, and that's because of you. As for my question, I've been watching
The Big Bang Theory, and while it's starting to come together, I wonder if the character of Sheldon is becoming "too much." In earlier episodes, he definitely was quirky, but he was endearing at the same time and you could see how he and Leonard became friends. But in recent episodes, Sheldon seems to have taken over, and it's becoming difficult to see why Leonard and his other buddies still hang out with him. Sheldon is a great character and Jim Parsons is doing an amazing job, but maybe he's one of those characters where a little goes a long way. Maybe he's a Michael Scott — better in smaller doses. What do you think?
— Diane B.
Matt Roush: Thanks for that very kind shout-out. I love knowing that people love that I love TV (and so on), and kudos to the open mind in regards to
Two and a Half Men, which obviously isn't for everyone — and even some weeks, not for me. You pose a really interesting question about
The Big Bang Theory,
which I just reviewed in the current issue. As is often the case, the review is positive enough to attract nay-sayers, who've written me to say that they find the portrayal of the genius geeks too stereotypical, the sitcom rhythms too predictable and so on. I look at the show as something of an instant classic — and yes, "classic" in a sense that it is playing by old rules and succeeding wonderfully although breaking no new ground. Comfort food, let's call it. I find the eccentric characters, including Sheldon, truly and unapologetically funny. And even Penny scores more often than not. So is Sheldon too much? Not for me, yet, but it's true that a character designed to get on people's nerves could easily get on a viewer's nerves as well. I like the fact that his arrogance cost him his friend's allegiance, and ultimately the win, in the Physics Bowl episode. And when he got fired earlier in the season, the vulnerability of this man-child humanized him a bit. But no question, Sheldon is an extreme character and most weeks he's going to be the primary comic engine of conflict. I think he's hilarious, and I'm not ready to see him toned down just yet. Which probably isn't in the cards anyway.
