The Big Bang Theory: Popular Beliefs, Myths, and Icons

In The Big Bang Theory we follow Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj as they try to figure out how to overcome their social awkwardness. We also watch as Penny finds herself in a world of extremely smart people and yet she finds friendship and love with the other characters.

There is a myth that blondes are not smart, especially if they are drop dead gorgeous like Penny. This show incorporates many myths that society has said to be true. Are all scientists nerdy, socially awkward, and avid Trekkies?  Most likely they aren’t. But The Big Bang Theory runs with what society has accepted of these types of characters. Television and films in the past have also led us to believe in the romantic myth, the beautiful girl, Penny, will fall in love with the nerdy scientist, Leonard.

So what about the myth that nerds aren’t friends with girls like Penny? We see that this show tries to break through this myth. Penny often times finds herself not understanding what anyone is talking about but through that she becomes accepted by this group. Isn’t it odd that the beautiful blonde must find acceptance instead of the nerds? While this may be the opposite of what society has said to be true, Penny finds her two best friends, Amy and Bernadette, and a group of friends that she cares for deeply.

Icons play an important role in this sitcom as well. The guys surround themselves with icons such as their Alienware Dell laptops, comics, and action figures. They have an unusual emotional attachment to these items and as you watch the show you can see that it is an obsession really. While these types of things may not be icons to everyone, they are this group.

As you watch the show and start to analyze it you can see how society’s popular beliefs, myths, and icons play an important role. But you really have to push past what society holds to be true and look at the bigger picture. This is a group of highly intelligent people with the exception of Penny, and they are all just trying to figure out life, love, and friendship. And aren’t we all just trying to do that?