by Nick Somoski

Created on: March 15, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2009

Comedy has had a struggle in the past decade. TV has lost some of its best sitcoms - Friends, Frasier, and Will & Grace are just some of the shows that have left the airwaves without comedy. But, even in these hard times, some sitcoms have come out top. In my mind, one of these shows is definitely CBS' sophomore comedy hit "Big Bang Theory".

For one, it's one hell of a show. And in a time when you can't always say that about TV shows, it's one of the easier things I've had to say all day. But why? What makes it so appealing? Why has it been adding viewers to its fanbase all season long? Why does it have such a bright future ahead of it?

These are fairly easy questions as well. For one, it's on CBS. That pretty much says it all, doesn't it? You don't have to be a rocket-scientist to know that CBS is the queen of sitcoms this season. At this point, they have more sitcoms than the other 3 networks combined. It's a sad story, but not for the Eye Network. Big Bang Theory is the show to kick off Monday nights. And, it does a fantastic job doing so. Bringing in on average 10 million viewers at 8pm, it has given lead-in support to How I Met Your Mother, the 4-year sitcom which is having one of its best seasons, which leads into Two and a Half Men, the sitcom veteran that is also getting more viewers than ever this season. This trio of shows is one of TV's strongest, no doubt.

So yeah, it has proven itself ratings-wise. But why are viewers coming in droves to see this simple little show? My first guess would be that it's so different. Comedy has never been seen like this before. 2 scientists with their 2 friends, living next door to the "hot chick," who one of them is vying over. It's such a dated topic don't you think? But, if you watched Big Bang Theory, you'd see this as one of the freshest, most original shows you've ever seen. These 2 scientists/geeks/nerds, Sheldon and Leonard, are living together in an apartment with an elevator that never works. Soon enough, Penny, a hot girl who works at the Cheesecake Factory, moves in across the hall, and immediately, Leonard falls in love with her. Sheldon is the superfreak who likes his routines - nothing can be different, and everything has to be the way he wants it (which works into about 75% of the storylines, funny everytime). Then, they have their 2 friends, Howard and Rajesh, who really have no point, but add to the perfect ensemble comedy in every way possible. This show just works.

The comedy is great. There's plenty of smart humor, which you will never understand but will always laugh at. But the funniest parts are the crazy antics annd exchanges between all the characters. Some of the things, and just getting a glimpse at how these fictional characters work and get through everyday life, is comedic enough for me. The writing is superb, the acting is great, the casting is fabulous. To say a sitcom nowadays is outstanding is a very, very hard thing to do, but with The Big Bang Theory, it's simple. It's comedy, and I enjoy watching it every Monday night. Simple as that.

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