The Big Bang Theory
2007 · 12 Seasons · CBS · Comedy
The Big Bang Theory became the most-watched comedy on television by making nerd culture accessible to mainstream audiences, with Jim Parsons's Sheldon Cooper becoming one of the most recognizable sitcom characters of the 21st century. The show's early seasons balance genuine affection for its characters with sharp comedy, and the ensemble works well together. Later seasons drift toward conventional relationship sitcom territory that contradicts the show's original identity, and the humor's relationship to geek culture shifted from celebration to something closer to mockery over time.