The Big Bang Theory Meme Unveils the True Cause Behind its Downfall

Article Overview

The meme argues that the introduction of romances in The Big Bang Theory ruined the show's storytelling quality, leading to a decline in viewership.

The show's foundation was always built around the love story between Penny and Leonard, however, the introduction of Bernadette and Amy as regular characters introduced multiple love stories, which may have caused a decline in fan interest.

While it was necessary for the show to progress and allow its characters to evolve, the increased focus on individual character development resulted in fewer group activities and a heightened emphasis on Sheldon, relegating the rest of the cast to supporting roles.

The decline in storytelling quality of The Big Bang Theory over the years is argued in a Reddit meme by user sponderbo. Despite its sustained popularity and CBS's plans for another season, Jim Parsons' decision to leave after season 12 ultimately prevented this. However, opinions differ regarding the show's quality throughout its run, with some attributing it to the introduction of romances in the comedy.

Why Big Bang Theory Had To Change Its Focus

In reality, the contention is that the inclusion of romantic storylines in The Big Bang Theory actually diminished the quality of the show, rather than the divisive laugh track. Curiously, it is worth noting that from the very beginning, the show revolved around a central love story involving Penny and Leonard.

Ever since Leonard laid eyes on Penny, he was instantly captivated. However, it is important to mention that this was the sole romantic relationship in the show during its initial few years. It wasn't until Bernadette and Amy joined as main characters that The Big Bang Theory delved into multiple love stories simultaneously. Examining the show's ratings over its 12-season run, there is a noticeable decline in viewership towards the end of season 7, coinciding with an increased focus on the boys' personal relationships. This supports the notion that some fans lost interest when CBS took this direction.

The main draw of The Big Bang Theory was the chemistry between its seven main characters. In the early seasons, the focus was on the group activities of the original five characters, with an emphasis on their dynamic. Penny served as the viewer's perspective as she learned more about Leonard and his friends. However, it was important for the show to evolve the characters in order to progress. While it may have been tempting to maintain the status quo, The Big Bang Theory needed to develop its characters, and one way to do that was to showcase their personal skills.

Towards the end of its run, The Big Bang Theory did face some storytelling issues. The Pasadena gang had become more separated, and there were fewer group activities compared to earlier years of the sitcom. Despite being an ensemble, the focus shifted more towards Sheldon, leaving the rest of the cast as supporting players rather than fellow protagonists.

Source: u/sponderbo/Reddit

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the meme's argument that the introduction of romances in The Big Bang Theory ruined the show. On the one hand, I understand the sentiment that the show's focus shifted away from the core group of friends and their scientific interests, which was a major part of what made the show unique and interesting in the early seasons. On the other hand, I also appreciate the fact that the show's writers tried to develop the characters and give them more depth by exploring their romantic relationships.

Overall, I think the meme makes a valid point about the show's decline in quality, but I don't necessarily agree that the introduction of romances was the sole reason for this. I think there were a number of factors that contributed to the show's decline, including the departure of Jim Parsons, the show's creative direction, and the overall fatigue of the sitcom format.