DVD Corner

The Big Bang Theory Season 3 DVD Review

Despite some great celebrity cameos, “The Big Bang Theory” suffers from relying heavily on stereotypes and clichés.

In the 23 episode third season, the biggest event is unquestionably the development of Leonard and Penny’s relationship. However, that’s not the ONLY thing that happens. Fans can expect to see Howard and Raj go to a Goth bar, Raj looking for a job, Wil Wheaton emerging as Sheldon’s archnemesis, Leonard learning about football, Shedlon becoming a waiter at the Cheesecake factory, Sheldon going on NPR, Stan Lee making a cameo appearance, a reveal of how Leonard and Sheldon became roommates, Howard fantasizing about Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck from “Battelstar Galactica”) and much, much more.

As a geek, I have somewhat mixed feelings about “The Big Bang Theory.” To me, the show never really feels genuinely real aside from the cameo appearances by REAL geek icons like Stan Lee, Wil Wheaton and Katee Sackhoff. Most of the time, the show just feels like a forced, formulaic sitcom that is squarely directed at mainstream audiences. I have nothing against brainless sitcoms personally, but I wouldn’t mind seeing an American sitcom about geeks that doesn’t rely on stale, stereotypical jokes. In the U.K., television audiences have several quality geek centric shows like “Spaced” and “The I.T. Crowd” that don’t rely on cheap jokes. I would like to see a show more along those lines.

Another problem with the show is that the character of Sheldon has become completely overexposed. Not only does he tend to dominate the episodes, but they’re even creating forced catch phrases (like “Bazinga”) for him since he’s so popular. I understand that the writers want to strike while the iron is hot, but the character is already starting to become tiresome. How many Sheldon rants can one indure?

On the plus side, I still think Simon Helberg is the best part of the show. His character is the most amusing and he can steal any scene he is in (which is impressive since he’s rarely the focus of an episode).

Summary: If you’re a fan of “The Big Bang Theory” then by all means pick up the third season. If you’re on the fence, I’d recommend checking out the funny, weird “The I.T. Crowd” instead.

The widescreen picture quality is a little fuzzy in spots, but generally the transfers look good. They are certainly an improvement over the last 2 seasons.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track doesn’t have much to do aside here. The audio mostly consists of a laugh track and dialogue.

Extras: 

* “Take-Out With The Cast”- The 5 main cast members chat about the show, their experiences on set, the characters, etc over Chinese food.
* Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar give audiences a tour of the Sheldon/Leonard and Penny apartment sets along with the stairs, the Cheesecake Factory, the bathroom, and the wardrobe room.
* Nearly 8 minutes of slightly amsing outtakes from the live studio recordings.

September 28, 2010 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Jim Parsons, Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory Season 3 DVD Review