11 Reasons The Big Bang Theory Is The Worst Thing On TV

1. It Tries So, So Hard To Be Clever And Falls So, So Far Short

Just because you use the word 'parallax' and occasionally wheel Bill Nye around, it doesn't mean you are a clever writer working for a clever show. In fact, The Big Bang Theory is pretty much as bottom-of-the-barrel as it gets: it's just that instead of having people fall over or ride down a hill in a tin bath, Big Bang Theory just has a character say something about Battlestar Galactica.

It's a really basic, Pavlovian 'Hahaha I recognise that reference' sort of semi-sentient laughter. Which is fine, obviously - we're all just trying to get through this distressing cavalcade of decay called life, and anything which momentarily lets us forget that we're all just meat being shovelled into the grave is to be welcomed. However, it's the 'Look at me! Look! I'm going a nerd joke for all you nerds out there!' neediness which really grates, especially when the reality is so far removed from what it thinks it's doing.

It's desperately hoping that you'll think it is more intelligent and sophisticated than your average sitcom, but intellectually it's roughly on a level with Takeshi's Castle. At this juncture I feel I should point out that there's an episode where Sheldon eats loads of brussels sprouts and farts a lot. I'm glad I've got my MSc in neuroscience to fall back on, because otherwise that one would've flown straight over my head.