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‘Big Bang Theory’ offers treat
Jim Parsons
“The Big Bang Theory”
Sonja Flemming/CBS
By MAUREEN RYAN Chicago Tribune Service
Published: 11/8/2009 5:02 AM
Last Modified: 11/8/2009 6:12 AM
“The Big Bang Theory” has
definitively won me over. The
show, which has made many
smart corrections in its three
seasons, has evolved into one of
the most enjoyable comedies on
the air.
And if the nerd-tastic CBS
comedy is going to offer “Battlestar
Galactica”- related goodies,
I’m not going to stop it.
Katee Sackhoff, formerly
Kara “Starbuck” Thrace on
“Battlestar,” will have a small
role in the Nov. 23 episode of
“The Big Bang Theory.” Sackhoff,
who will be a series regular
on “24” when that show returns
in January, will play herself
in a cameo on “Big Bang
Theory.” The series airs at 8:30
p.m. Mondays on CBS, channel
6.
That’s not the only Cylon-related
fun “Big Bang Theory”
will be having in coming weeks. The Nov. 2 episode had a scene in
which Sheldon fixed a snack with the help of his trusty Cylon
toaster (for the non-”BSG” fans out there, the mechanized Cylons
on the Syfy drama were nicknamed “toasters”).
Even if you’re not a fan of “Battlestar,” “Big Bang” has proved
itself to be a dependable treat. The characters have become humanized
and multidimensional, their relationships are believable and
well-sketched, and the one-liners and jokes are consistently funny.
(The ratings reflect the show’s creative upswing: “Big Bang Theory”
has gotten its highest-ever ratings in its third season.) I especially
enjoy that there are different flavors to the comedy. Some of
the humor is quite whimsical or even silly, and plots don’t
always
go where you think: Howard Wolowitz’s recent blind date went
from epic fail to total win once he and his date bonded about having
overprotective mothers.
Something else to like: The show hasn’t made a huge deal over
the relationship of Leonard and Penny, the pretty waitress who
lives across the hall. Even though Leonard pined after Penny for
two seasons, the romance hasn’t taken over the show. It has, however,
become a dependable source of comedy that, thankfully, isn’t
overly contrived or generically “sitcommy.
But the show hasn’t forgotten its nerd roots either. As “Battlestar”
and “Big Bang” fans know, Sackhoff’s appearance isn’t the
first connection between the two shows.
Michael Trucco (“Battlestar’s” Sam Anders) played a studly love
interest for Penny last season.
Stuntcasting is often detrimental to finely calibrated sitcoms but
Wil Wheaton, the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” actor, turned in
an effective guest performance in a recent episode of the show.
“Big Bang Theory” needs to go further. I would like to use this
opportunity to promote my ongoing campaign to have Leonard Nimoy
guest star on the show. “Big Bang” fans will recall that just receiving,
as a weird but appropriate gift, a napkin that the “Star
Trek” icon had used was one of the high points of Sheldon’s life.
So come on, “Big Bang” producers: Let’s have a Sheldon-Spock
mind-meld. Who doesn’t want to see that?
Even without high-profile guest stars, the cast is so strong that
even subplots about Rajesh and Wolowitz work well. Though Jim
Parsons’ terrific work as Sheldon has been justifiably singled out
for praise, all the actors, including perennial (and skilled) straight
man Johnny Galecki as Leonard, turn in dependably good performances.
This cast functions like a well-oiled machine.
Not unlike a Cylon.
By MAUREEN RYAN Chicago Tribune Service
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