From stereotyping to shaming: Here are five ways The Big Bang Theory didn’t age well

Everyone has heard of The Big Bang Theory, it’s one of the most popular shows on earth running for 12 seasons.

It’s a show based on a group of science nerds, following their lives as they try to navigate working, dating, and everything in between with the previously believed perfect mix of science jokes and awkward charm.

However, despite being an award-winning show with 279 episodes and a vast amount of cameos, was it ever really that funny?

Looking back on all those episodes, the show feels less comedic now and way more problematic than it did back in 2007.

From cringeworthy stereotypes and outdated gender roles, to moments of casual ableism, racism and an apparent toxic “nice guy” complex, it’s very clear that The Big Bang Theory hasn’t aged that well.

What once went undetected as harmless comedy now comes across as straight-up offensive, and the show highlights that what was once funny 10 years ago may not be funny in the present day.

via Netflix

So, here are a few ways that The Big Bang Theory hasn’t aged like fine wine, since the show’s release.

Raj was reduced to a racial stereotype

One of the show’s main characters, Raj Koothrappali, was mocked for his Indian heritage throughout the entirety of the show.

Not only was he mocked by his closest friends but he also played into the jokes and ridiculed himself, showing viewers that unless you were just plain old, white American, you were always gonna be the first to be made fun of in the group.

His accent, his Indian culture, and his marital expectations were a running theme throughout the show, highlighting the cultural insensitivity the show had.

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Penny was more than just the ‘dumb blonde’

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Starting off as “the girl next door” and quickly becoming one of the most loved characters, some would argue that Penny had it the worst. What with the frequent slut-shaming, objectification, and always being whittled down to just a “dumb blonde”.

The boys were already portrayed as the smartest people on earth, they didn’t need to bounce off Penny’s supposed stupidness as well.

Even with the strongest social skills of the whole group, her main selling points were being hot and ridiculously dumb: “So, what do you do exactly? Besides take people’s orders and flirt with weird guys at the Cheesecake factory?”.

More than most of the times that Sheldon spoke about Penny (indirectly and just to her face), it was just for him to confirm the fact that she is uneducated and nothing compared to the greatness that it the mind of Dr Sheldon Cooper.

Basically, the show would have been nothing without her, same goes for the group in fact. Penny was most certainly the glue that kept everyone together and so would it have been so bad if she had got a few more compliments about her personality rather than how her boobs looked in that dress?

The show mocks nerd culture more than it celebrates it

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As Penny famously once said: “You brought a comic book to a party?”

For a show made about nerds, it is certainly not made for them. Most nerds have an interest for science, comics, and video games, and don’t expect to be ridiculed for it.

The exaggerated nerdiness portrayed in none other than Sheldon Cooper is evidence enough that even the producers believe that if you have a favourite superhero then you are sad. And, if you have a love for science, you are sad. But obviously the producers are very much wrong because if you have a little geek out whenever your fave video game is mentioned then you are just about the best person ever.

Bit of a rogue choice to make a show about a group of nerds and then spend a decade making fun of their passions but hey, whatever pays the bills, right?

Leonard’s ‘nice guy’ complex is actually just toxic masculinity

If you loved The Big Bang Theory back in the day, you probably viewed Leonard Hofstadter as the “nice guy” of the group. You probably believe that him and Penny were star-crossed lovers, destined to be with each other. However, if you take a closer look, Leonard’s “nice guy” act is just that, an act.

The constant guilt-tripping Penny, throwing a strop when things don’t go his way, and his emotional manipulation is a clear cut example of toxic masculinity in all its glory.

Leonard’s frankly pathetic behaviour in The Big Bang Theory hasn’t aged well. Rewatch any episode and you’ll probably see where I’m coming from.

Raj didn’t need to be drunk to talk to women, he just had social anxiety

via Netflix

Making fun of a serious mental health condition. Really?

“Can’t talk to women unless I’m drunk. That’s my thing.” It’s not just a thing, it’s a condition that one in 13 people suffer from and making fun of it as just a little character quirk didn’t really age well.

Some may say that Raj had selective mutism and that is why he struggled to talk to women unless he was heavily intoxicated. Which by that point he wouldn’t shut up. Even if that is the case, it that still something funny to laugh at? I don’t think so.

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Featured image via Netflix