 DVD Review: The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season
By Craig Byrne - KryptonSite Webmaster
I freely admit that when it comes to the sitcoms I enjoy watching, most of what I watch is classic material on DVD. Recent watches (and rewatches) include classics like I Love Lucy, All In The Family, and even Mr. Belvedere or Rhoda with not a lot of room for anything made within the past decade. To me, the last "great sitcoms" seemed to die out with Friends and Seinfeld, and while there have been a few good ones since then, it's been nearly impossible to create a good ensemble of characters that goes together so well.
The exception being Arrested Development, a gem of a series which even I missed for most of its network run, but thanks to DVD, I was able to catch up. Even with that, though, I admit it wasn't for everyone.
Another admission: I never really got into CBS's Monday night comedies because unlike millions of viewers, I hated Raymond and my Monday night viewing schedule was usually reserved by shows like Heroes or Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. I eventually caught an episode of Two And A Half Men on a plane (thought it was decent, though haven't seen a lot of it) and a good friend showed me How I Met Your Mother, which I also enjoyed. Somehow along the line, though, I only was able to catch The Big Bang Theory once - when Terminator's Summer Glau came on as a guest star.
My initial reaction was a bit on the unsure side. I'm familiar with nerds - heck, I am one - but these characters were a bit on the exaggerated side. The way they talked - was it really funny? The dialogue surely was. And their concerns - including a dialogue about how if Terminators were real they should look like actors who play Terminators - were pretty funny, but I didn't know what to make of it.
Fortunately with The Big Bang Theory Season 2 DVD, out this week, I caught on quickly, and I realized - the exaggeration is what makes them funny. Moreso, I became very impressed with the interactions between the characters, and how well-cast in general the show really is.
It's interesting because as intelligent as Leonard and Sheldon are, there are certain traits they have - as do their friends - where they almost forgot to grow up. When you were a kid, surely you had your favorite spot on the sofa or got annoyed when someone else entered your social circle. Just here, especially Sheldon takes childish neuroses to a whole new level.
On the flip side, there's Penny, a character who is becoming more and more a part of their "group." In one episode, she even gets swept up into World of Warcraft. (I think they may have used a different name for the game, but we know what it really is). There are also some great recurring guest stars, my favorite being Johnny Galecki's Roseanne wife/co-star Sara Gilbert - a nemesis of Sheldon's who is sometimes a romantic interest for Leonard. Penny, by the way, is played by Kaley Cuoco, an actress who graduated from 8 Simple Rules, took a detour to Charmed, and now has become an impressive comedic actress in her own right.
The joy of DVD, also, is you can also pause and read the "vanity cards" at the end of the show, instead of speeding by as you see them on DVD. And you can rewind and listen again for the comic book references, and pause to see which [almost always DC] comics are in their collections.
There are many episodes in this set that are fun. I specifically liked an episode where Sheldon and Penny wage a little bit of a war on one another, but of course my favorite - even better after having watched more of the show - is the episode guest starring Summer Glau as herself. Summer had a lot of screen time in the episode, seemingly more in one half hour than she had in all of Terminator Season 2! (Yes, I went there.)
Extras on the DVD include interviews with key cast and crew about the season, an interview with a physicist, and - the one thing EVERY TV show DVD set should have - a blooper reel. (Smallville, are you listening?)
The Big Bang Theory seems to be becoming more and more of a mainstream hit, and if given the chance, it's pretty clear why. The season premiere is on September 21, at 9:30pm against the last quarter of Heroes, so you might want to DVR one and watch the other. If you want a refresher course, this DVD is a perfect buy and very rewatchable.
Order a copy from Amazon.com and support the KryptonSite Network!
(As an aside: Actor Jim Parsons is up for an Emmy Award for his work as Sheldon. Could we be hearing "Knock, knock, knock, Emmy" in his future? Hopefully!)
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The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season
Warner Home Video
Available September 15, 2009
Starring Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar
23 episodes on 4 discs
BigBangTheoryDVD.com
Previous TV Reviews
Virtuality (June 2009)
Human Target (July 2009)
The Vampire Diaries (July 2009)
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