• Question: Do you watch the big band theory? LOL.

    Asked by sophia96 to Meeks, Pete, Stephen, Steve, Tom on 15 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Steve Roser

      Steve Roser answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      sorry nope, but shouldn’t that be bang? or are you talking about Glee?

    • Photo: Stephen Curry

      Stephen Curry answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      I do – if you mean the Big Bang Theory. It’s hilarious! I particularly like Sheldon – he seems to live in a parallel universe. One of my favourite lines is when he reveals an aunt gave him a stethoscope when he was a boy. As he explains to Leonard’s girlfriend in one episode (who was a doctor), “My aunt said that if the theoretical physics didn’t work out, I should have a *trade* to fall back on.” Genius!

    • Photo: Marieke Navin

      Marieke Navin answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      I’ve only watched it a couple of times and I really liked it! What I like the best is that all the equations written in the background are real, so I like to see if I know what they are. I read an article about it in the Institute of Physics magazine. What a brilliant job for a physicist. He has to write all the physics stuff in the background and be on set for filming in case any of the cast/crew have any physics questions – what a fantastic job!

    • Photo: Tom Hartley

      Tom Hartley answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Hi Sophia,

      I’ve seen it a few times, and I think it’s pretty good. Science on TV went through a bad patch in the last decade, but it is right back on course now – I think somebody really good must have been promoted at the BBC (because most of the good programmes are on BBC). I enjoyed Brian Cox’s Solar System programmes, and I learned something new in every episode. I also saw a really excellent science documentary on BBC4 which was about Jocelyn Bell Burnham, who discovered pulsars – an amazing, resiliant and open-minded scientist. That was one of the most accurate and inspiring programmes about being a scientist I’ve seen – brilliant. Jocelyn made this incredible discovery when she was a PhD student, and her supervisor (who obviously helped her a lot) won the Nobel Prize for it. Even though she missed out (which seemed a bit unfair) she wasn’t too worried. But when her discovery was initially reported she phoned her school science teacher to tell him, and she got a little tearful when she remembered the conversation – you could tell that the opinion of her teacher meant more to her than the Nobel Prize. I found this incredibly moving and I’m tearing up just thinking about it (but I am a bit emotional sometimes).

Comments

  • Moderator - Nazma commented on :

    Tom I think you’re talking about Bang Goes the Theory; Different show! The Big Bang Theory is a US sit com on Channel 4.

  • Photo: Tom

    Tom commented on :

    You’re right Nazma – thanks for pointing that out. I never saw the Big Bang Theory, but it looks good from clips, if it’s the comedy with nerdy scientists. I stand by the stuff I said about the more educational science progs. Everyone should check out the BBC4 Jocelyn Bell Burnham doc (Great Minds) if it’s ever repeated. I get choked up just thinking about it, for some reason. She is a great role model and an inspiration.

  • Photo: yourmum

    yourmum commented on :

    Is Big Bang Theory scripted by scientists does anyone know? Because punchlines said by sheldon for example have quite the intelectual/ Sciencey content in them apart from just general wit as in most comedy shows.

  • Moderator - Nazma commented on :

    Tom, not seen Great minds, but yes I agree with you. There have been some great science documentaries lately.
    Big Bang Theory is definately that, comedy with nerdy scientists, very funny 🙂 I recommend it!

    Yourmum, I believe they have experts working on the show who contribute to the scripts hence the science stuff is all real. Check out what The Science and Entertainment Exchange do, their aim is to work toward having more accurate portrayals of science and scientists within the entertainment industry i.e. hollywood! I believe they have worked with The Big bang theory – http://scienceandentertainmentexchange.org.