The Top 25 Shows of 2015, No. 4: CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory”

amp8220The Big Bang Theoryamp8221 is kingsized entertainment of the kind that puts the amp8220broadamp8221 in amp8220broadcastingamp8221 Itamp8217s a sitcom marvel amp8211 a work of threecamera genius that has survived and thrived during the boom years for single camera laugh trackfree comedies especially those on cable and streaming services most of which fail to attract audiences larger than the holiday crowds at your local shopping mall Perversely critics today seem to think those narrowly focused teenyweeny comedies are somehow more worthy of their praise than true comedy phenomena like amp8220Big Bangamp8221 and ABCamp8217s amp8220Modern Familyamp8221 that have done so well for so long precisely because they are so well produced and so very funnyThe two most recent episodes amp8211 each one as funny as any other in the showamp8217s history if not moreso amp8211 illustrate the enduring comic power of this showIn the first Sheldon Cooper Jim Parsons a fourtime Emmy winner for this role who was not even nominated this year pictured at top amp8211 having realized that he was wrong to break up with longtime girlfriend Amy Fowler Mayim Bialik pictured below rightamp160amp8211 shows up at her apartment to tell her he loves her inadvertently and without particular concern interrupting her date with wouldbe beau David Gibbs played by recurring guest staramp160Stephen Merchant brilliantly funny as always who is so thrilled to be meeting one of his idols that he coaches Sheldon through his awkward attempt at reconciliation Can Merchant somehow be kept in this showamp8217s circle of wonderful recurring guest stars which includes Bob Newhart Wil Wheaton Christine Baranski and Laurie MetcalfIn the second the winter season finale Sheldon decides to make love to Amy on her birthday which would be a first for both of themamp160By episodeamp8217s end they are no longer virgins and Sheldon who enjoyed the experience says heamp8217d like to amp8220do itamp8221 again the following year for Amyamp8217s next birthdayMeanwhile Sheldonamp8217s pals Leonard Raj and Howard enjoy a guyamp8217s night out at the multiplex where they attend one of the first showings of amp8220Star Wars The Force Awakensamp8221 Sheldon canamp8217t make it so his ticket goes to Wil Wheaton who wears a amp8220Star Trekamp8221 uniform in defiance of the amp8220Star Warsamp8221 mania around him quotLive long and suck itquot he tells the hecklers around him Wheaton is pictured below right with series stars Simon Helberg Kunal Nayyar and Johnny Galeckiamp160This episode premiered on December 17 at the same time that amp8220Star Warsamp8221 began showing in theaters around the countryamp160According to CBS it hasamp160delivered the largest L3 rating of any scripted program this season for a total of 23 million viewers That isn39t surprising at allOf special note this episode also included another great guest shot by Bob Newhart as the late Professor Proton an idol of Sheldonamp8217s who appearedamp160to him in Jedi garb the way ObiWan Kenobi used to appear to Luke Skywalker after being struck down by Darth VaderThe loving inclusion on its canvas of comedy and CBS legend Newhart in so perfect a role is just one more reason to cherish this show as if any more were neededThe opinions and points of view expressed in this commentary are exclusively the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillageMyersBizNet management or associated bloggers

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The Top 25 Shows of 2015, No. 4: CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory”

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Ed Martin

"About That with Carl Mayer:" Alaina Donnellon (Episode 6) - By Carl Mayer

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The Top 25 Shows of 2015, No. 4: CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory”

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Ed Martin

"About That with Carl Mayer:" Alaina Donnellon (Episode 6) - By Carl Mayer

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