TV Show Info:
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: WB

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: September 24, 2007 – present
DVD Box Set Release Date: September 2, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $18.99

The initial interest for me towards watching The Big Bang Theory had to be Johnny Galecki. I have loved him since he played Rusty Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and I was a huge fan of Roseanne. Had it not been for Galecki I might not know how truly funny this show really is.

Initially I had plans of giving this review to someone else. I weighed the factors and seeing as I had never heard of it I thought I could just have someone else handle it. Then I learned that Galecki was on the show and I had a renewed interest in seeing it. I have to admit that I am glad he’s on the show because after seeing it, I am surprised to say that I would hate to have to give it up.

I mentioned Galecki’s name not only because he is a great actor. It’s also because he is just one of the funniest parts of the show. The actors on the show share a good amount of chemistry, allowing funny parts to appear even funnier. Everyone seems to work well in this comedy and it’s one of those shows that despite being new, just seem to click in all of the right ways.

I am not always the biggest sitcom fan; at least I haven’t been in recent years. However, with additions such as The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, and similar shows, I find myself softening up to this television genre once again. I think more than anything it is the laugh out loud nature of this show that attracts me. Even in the funniest moments of a sitcom, I rarely laugh out loud. Well that’s true as long as I am not watching Big Bang Theory. If I am, then all bets are out the door.

The Big Bang Theory – The Complete First Season Plot
Brief episode descriptions have been provided below to give you a better feel for the show. If the show sounds interesting you might want to pick this DVD Box Set up to catch up, as the show was picked up for a second season and will continue to remain on the air.

“Pilot”: In the pilot, viewers are introduced to two roommates, Leonard (Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons). The two men are geniuses and are physicists by trade. However, as smart as they are they are not too familiar with living life. It takes their new neighbor Penny (Kaley Cuoco) to show them that.

“The Big Bran Hypothesis”: Leonard wants Penny to see what a great guy he is so he offers to sign for a package for her. However, things get all messed up when Leonard has Sheldon help him.

“The Fuzzy Boots Corollary”: In a moment of jealousy Leonard decides to ask a woman out because he learns that Penny is seeing someone else.

“The Luminous Fish Effect”: Sheldon ends up getting fired. Now that he no longer has a job he spends his time learning what life outside of physics really means. Leonard, on the other hand, will attempt to do whatever is necessary to make his friend feel better.

“The Hamburger Postulate”: Leonard works on bonding with Leslie (Sara Gilbert) because he fears that there is no point in spending time on Penny. Meanwhile, when it comes to Sheldon his hamburger routine goes through a change that he just cannot handle.

“The Middle Earth Paradigm”: When Penny decides to throw a Halloween party none of the socially deprived know how to handle it. Leonard, Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Sheldon, and Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) will be testing their social skills during party time.

“The Dumpling Paradox”: Wolowitz is out of the picture for the time being, leaving a spot on the all important Halo team. With one man down, the guys do what is necessary and recruit Penny to the team.

“The Grasshopper Experiment”: It’s blind date time with Koothrappali as the victim and his parents as the ones forcing him into it. Despite the potentially bad situation, Raj learns that he can talk to the girl. It’s just too bad that she shows more interest in Sheldon.

“The Cooper-Hofstadter Polarization”: The guys are invited to speak at a physics conference, but there is a problem when Sheldon does not want to share the credit. This causes a problem between Sheldon and Leonard, but it becomes much worse when Penny steps in to help.

“The Loobenfeld Decay”: When Penny is going to be singing in a production of Rent, both Leonard and Sheldon make up lies to ensure they do not have to go to the show. However, Leonard proves to be a better liar because Sheldon’s lie becomes pretty complicated.

“The Pancake Batter Anomaly”: Penny is in for the ride of her life when she offers to nurse Sheldon back to health when he is sick.

“The Jerusalem Duality”: Sheldon cannot handle it when he meets a teen physicist that just happens to be smarter than he is. This leads the other guys to find a way to get rid of Dennis so Sheldon can calm down.

“The Bat Jar Conjecture”: Leslie ends up taking Sheldon’s spot on the Physics Bowl team, causing Sheldon to form his own team to show his original teammates whose boss.

“The Nerduana Annihilation”: Leonard decides to give up his much loved sci-fi collectibles when Penny misses work because of a full-sized The Time Machine prop that arrives at the apartment.

“The Pork Chop Indeterminacy”: Sheldon’s twin sister is a hit amongst the guys, but Leonard is certain that he can win her affections. The problem is that Sheldon announces that he will be the one to pick the man that his sister will be dating.

“The Peanut Reaction”: Penny has plans to throw Leonard a surprise party, but her plans are derailed when Leonard gets excited in an electronics store.

“The Tangerine Factor”: Penny’s relationship ends which leaves Leonard determined to find the courage to ask her out. As date night approaches both Penny and Leonard go to Sheldon for advice on the date.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
The The Big Bang Theory looks and sounds great. The anamorphic widescreen transfer is nothing to complain about. Compression errors were barely noticeable and the video was free from grain or blur. The colors were bright and the entire picture was sharp. For a new television show all of these things would be expected but it’s nice to see that things are the way they should be.

Audio is covered with a Dolby Digital 5.1 treatment. Considering the dialogue driven nature of the show, audio tends to rest on a center channel, but things sound good for the most part. Music and other, rare sound effects are given a more dynamic treatment. Volume toggling is not necessary as the sound is consistent throughout. Subtitles are available in a variety of languages including Korean, English, Thai, Chinese, Portuguese, French, and Spanish.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
I was disappointed by the lack of special features for such a new television show. Despite The Big Bang Theory being a current show, the only special feature available is an interview featurette that lasts for close to 20 minutes. The featurette, “Quantum Mechanics of the Big Bang Theory” feels like a promotional plug for the show more than anything. What you end up with is some cast and crew interviews that detail their feelings and thoughts on the show among other things. That’s the only special feature. Things that seem standard on other sets, like commentaries, outtakes, or deleted scenes are not included.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
Despite being new to The Big Bang Theory it is easy to see what a good show this is. Comedy fans will want to check this out as soon as possible because it is filled with hilarious moments. The show features talented acting and comedy that fills a good portion of the show. If you’re new to the show, now’s the time to become acquainted with it. If you’ve been watching the show prior to this DVD release you have no reason not to run out and pick this up today!

Overall Rating:

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