Would anyone be interested in a Feminist critique of The Big Bang Theory?

Rather than lazily posting links you just acquired from a Google search, formulate your own thoughts and conclusions.

I enjoyed the first two series and haven't enjoyed the rest so much. In those, the men were shown as high ASF, the women as a mixture of academic ability but all the young ones as highly emotionally intelligent as well as some, not all, of the older ones. I loved Mrs Cooper, for example, though in RL I would avoid her.

I feel it has lost its way.

I so agree re mysogenistic US sitcoms. Cannot bear Malcolm in the middle, screeching mother, also friends, modern family etc.

"One of the most damaging things the patriarchy has done is paint women as capable, caring, beautiful, icons while men are fat, stupid buffoons. These shows are mostly written by men so unless it's internalized 'misandry' it's strange to call it misandry.

Women are left with the stereotype that they have to look after the home, work, take care of everyone and fight to stay young and beautiful while men aren't expected to much except work and be idiots."

Pray tell, MrsTerryPratchett; what evidence do you have that the show portrays these messages to its watchers? Because every single female character I can recall works full-time and is capable of supporting herself. In fact, Bernadette earns a considerable amount more than Howard; and we often see him asking her for permission to buy expensive items. Also, in a general sense, what is the evidence for this being the case in modern Western society?

There are all some quite nasty undertones and rape jokes.

noted here

"Howard will never be lucky enough to find another women like Bernadette."

Because he is a sexist pig basically.

tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UglyGuyHotWife See also Give Geeks a Chance.

This is a good article that may help you understand

here

Which you are, of course, entitled to do, DuckDeamon. However, you must be willing to analyse it objectively and consider the stereotypes drawn from both genders; which the participants of this thread have failed to do thus far. They have chosen to exclusively regard the plights of the female characters, and thus, come to the erroneous and ridiculous conclusion that the show espouses misogyny.

Interesting thread, thank you! I have to say that I love the show on a purely shallow basis but may see it with a more critical eye in the future.

I watched a programme all about tbbt today and was fascinated to discover that the woman who plays Amy Farrah Fowler is in fact a neuroscientist with a PhD as well as an actor.

If a masculinist were to raise a magnifying glass to this TV show, he would have a field day taking it apart for what he may consider to be blatant misandry. This is the problem. Positive stereotypes of the 'other' group are still prejudice. Negative stereotypes of the dominant group are still prejudice.

One of the most damaging things the patriarchy has done is paint women as capable, caring, beautiful, icons while men are fat, stupid buffoons. These shows are mostly written by men so unless it's internalized 'misandry' it's strange to call it misandry.

Women are left with the stereotype that they have to look after the home, work, take care of everyone and fight to stay young and beautiful while men aren't expected to much except work and be idiots.

I expect more than that of men because while I'm a feminist, I don't hate men or think they're incapable idiots. The show is sexist and stereotypes can hurt men too.

Whatever it is (and I do think it's both misogynistic and misandrist), it's yet another tv show full of absolutely horrible people being horrible to each other in a way that nobody I know would even contemplate. I suppose that is the foundation of its humour: we cannot say those things to our friends, we cannot treat them that way, we must be better than that if we are to get on in life, but maybe part of us would like to be that vile. I don't know; I don't want to be!

Leonard stands out as the worst, though. He's often portrayed as the nice guy, the geeky one who just wants love and is as normal as your average hunk, behind the glasses and the lack of height. What a lot of arse. He's a nasty shit and no amount of wistful self-deprecation can hide it.

I find him the hardest to take. Howard's really obviously a shit, Sheldon is whatever he is and presumably perfectly capable of analysing behaviour and modelling it (but doesn't) - but Leonard is 'the nice guy' yet behaves so appallingly whenever he can. It's gross.

Showofhands that's a good MN legacy!

Or if we wish we can watch it, enjoy it and then discuss how sexist it is

What is this sexism of which you speak, Miss NotRevealingMyIdentity? I request specific examples, because I have provided you with a couple of exams of male stereotypes being exploited in the show for humorous purposes, though there are countless others. I have also outlined how the female characters are stronger and far more self-assured than the men, who are frequently abused about their 'boyish' culture. It is a recurring theme that the male characters reflect on how fortunate they are to be in relationships with women who are placed on a pedestal above them. The number of times that characters have quipped that Howard will never be lucky enough to find another women like Bernadette. Or that fortunate smiled upon Leonard when he established a relationship with Penny.

If a masculinist were to raise a magnifying glass to this TV show, he would have a field day taking it apart for what he may consider to be blatant misandry.

And therein lies the problem with both approaches; they fail to appreciate the comedic value of such content. If you are sensitive and easily offended by humour which draws on sexism, racism or whatever else, you are not compelled to listen to it.

Very well said Exhalted

I think my name is tied, in some people's minds, to the old Friends threads because of my thoughts on Ross which predate the linked thread. I quite like that my MN legacy is a vague recollection that I once waffled about Ross.

TBBT is misogynistic. American sitcoms are. TBBT is sad because it started off with a real nugget of an idea. There are still flashes of it. My favourite relationship in the show is Sheldon/Penny actually and in essence it shows character growth and without relying on patriarchal dynamics. However, they've deeply hidden that behind some obvious and unfair comedy and sacrificed something which worked. Other fave relationship is Sheldon and his Mum.

It's a real shame. I do enjoy the old episodes but wish they'd retained the core of it.

I'm pretty sure sure something is only sexist if it is in fact sexist.

Just because there are some good female characters and portrayals doesn't give the show some kind of special pass that means the rest of it cannot be sexist.

Which a lot of it is. I also believe we can have comedy without sexism, homophobia or racism. Strangely enough. So no the fact it is a comedy is not an excuse for sexism.

I've been silently browsing this forum for sometime now, satisfied with my evaluation and judgement of its arguments. However, the ludicrous content of this thread is so far removed from logic and reason that I simply had to create an account to refute it.

The notion that TBBT is replete with "raging misogyny" is utterly preposterous. This show features a number of intelligent and academically accomplished women who thrive in their respective fields. Moreover, they are strong-willed and independent. Amy, Bernadette, Priya, Leslie Winkle and Howard's mother instantly spring to mind.

On the contrary, the insecurity and self-consciousness/self-loathing of the male characters is the comical foundation of the show. We are reminded time and time again of how pathetic their lives were prior to the relationships they developed with women. Indeed, they embody many stereotypes of men, e.g. by engaging in nerdy gaming culture and being overly reliant on takeaway food. Much of the humour in the show stems from this notion, and often times, the male characters would ridicule themselves and each other about these things.

The fault in your approach, OP, is that you are analysing the content of the show with the intention of finding misogyny. Anything that could conceivably be construed as sexist, no matter how fickle, will inevitably be interpreted as such with that sort of mindset. Ultimately, this is a comedy show. It draws upon stereotypes and a satirical interpretation of the real for humour. Do not take it more seriously than it intends.

I can't bear the episode where Amy basically takes advantage of Sheldon to get sexual satisfaction. Pretending to be sick so he rubs her chest and bathes her and then the spanking sequence. Gross.

I despise Leonard. He's portrayed as this nice fella who finally gets the girl. In reality he's a "Nice guy" who bitches, moans, basically stalks Penny, and eventually she caves in and starts dating him. At which point he's a horrid little troll who obsesses about losing her but cheats on her and enjoys it when another woman asks him out on a date. He's horrid.

It actually makes me cross because it just contributes to those "nice guys" out there in the real world thinking that the way they see the world and women is accurate.

Also I think the writer are very influenced by friends.

The shows are really quite similar.

There's the way raj sees priya as his possession when Leonard is dating her.

Also didn't Shelton try to get his sister to store her eggs for him or something?

The guys make comments about the girls/penny drinking wine but the girls dont do the same to them always eating carry outs. They'd all be so fat if they ate like that irl.

Even the spheres of science they do is so stereotypical!

I think they are all portrayed as a bit pathetic and the female characters are stronger and more independent. It does rely a bit too much on old tropes like Fat Overbearing Mother and Nagging Wife though.

Posters who say 'it's just entertainment/lighten up' etc. - you do realise that pervasive negative portrayals of women and or negative stereotypes in general portrayed in popular culture directly influence how people think/behave in real life? Subconsciously or not.

Leonard reminds me of Eilliot Rodgers. Entitled to access to beautiful women because he's clever and has money. This stuff is pervasive and does cause harm.

Glad I don't know what the hell you are all talking about…which blissful state of ignorance about TV crappy sitcoms seems a good place to be for a woman

Posters who say 'it's just entertainment/lighten up' etc. - you do realise that pervasive negative portrayals of women and or negative stereotypes in general portrayed in popular culture directly influence how people think/behave in real life? Subconsciously or not.

Sorry not very articulate but this stuff is important.