Most Fans Agree This Particular Season Was The Big Bang Theory's Downfall
When did you realise that all the elements you loved about the early seasons of the nerd-galore sitcom were missing?
Although The Big Bang Theory concluded its run four years ago after 12 seasons, it has been in syndication ever since and frequently appears in fan discussions. The CBS sitcom has long been considered one of the best comfort shows to watch when you need some background noise or simply want to unwind.
However, not every season has earned that status in the eyes of fans.
Viewers appreciated the show's original premise. The story of socially awkward Pasadena scientists began as a lighthearted comedy. Sheldon Cooper's eccentricities were amusing, other characters interacted well with Sheldon and each other, and nerd culture appeared to be at the heart of it all. As the seasons progressed, though, fans observed that The Big Bang Theory began to deviate more and more from its geeky roots and initial premise.
So when exactly did this change in tone begin? Fans have attempted to pinpoint this in numerous discussions, and while opinions often differ, a Reddit poll created by user u/aaron_156 appears to provide a more or less definitive answer. Most of the people that voted in the poll believe that the show began to falter in Season 7.
While the seventh season of The Big Bang Theory still offered plenty of solid jokes, viewers noticed a shift in the group's dynamic and the style of comedy. Episodes started to focus more on the couples' activities and less on the show's original premise. Sheldon's eccentricities frequently began to come across as outright cringe while the amount of nerd activities and topics began to decline to the point of non-existence.
Moreover, fans pointed out that the sitcom began to experience serious plot issues in Season 7, resulting in the utter destruction of Leonard and Penny's romantic arc, a lack of character development, and an abundance of filler episodes. Possibly due to budget cuts stemming from the astronomical increase in cast pay, the writers began dividing the Pasadena group into smaller units and assigning them separate mini-storylines, which rendered the overarching plot and the show's original premise largely irrelevant.
Although most fans agree that The Big Bang Theory's quality peaked in season six, its subsequent decline in quality did not significantly impact its ratings. The show carried on for another six seasons, attracting millions of new viewers and breaking numerous records along the way, but it just didn't feel the same anymore.
Source: Reddit.