by Marisol Rivers

Created on: July 09, 2009   Last Updated: July 12, 2009

The Big Bang Theory is not perfect, but it is entertaining. The basic premise of two "geeks" living across the hall from a "hot girl" sounds simple, but the characters and their quirks keep this series from being boring, or worse, only funny to intellectual audiences. The show is powered by the creators of Two and a Half Men and boasts former Rosanne actors in its regular cast. If this sounds like a show that has a lot going on, you are right.

Leonard (Johnny Galecki) is the main character because his infatuation with "hot girl across the hall" Penny (Kaley Cuoco) is the focus of this program. He is also the most likable character on this show because he is not as annoying as his roommate Sheldon (Jim Parsons) or their two friends Rajesh and Howard (Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg). Leonard lives with Sheldon out of convenience, but together they have created a home for them and their friends to gather. Even Penny hangs out with them in their apartment which makes sense because it is clear (especially now that season 2 has concluded) that she is in love with Leonard as much as he is with her.

It is this "unlikely coupling" that makes The Big Bang Theory fresh. The writers do not force the audience to suspend their belief because Penny and Leonard's relationship seems genuine. Leonard is kind, courageous, sweet, and funny and Penny is attracted to that even when she is dating her macho boyfriend, Kurt. Leonard seems to have first been attracted to Penny solely on her looks, but as time went on and Leonard dated other women it was Penny he kept running back to. Penny and Leonard did not have a "love at first sight connection", they don't go on an official date until the finale of season 1, and even now at the end of season 2 the characters are still trying to figure out what kind of relationship is the best for them. But it is a relationship that I want to happen and when the audience has something to root for you know it is a good show.

The down side to The Big Bang Theory is the stereotypes, both gender and racial, that permeates through the show. Leonard is the central character and has many layers but sadly the rest of the characters are not as fleshed out. Howard and Raj are comedic foils and their characters mostly rely on stereotypes. For instance Howard is Jewish and that fact is used to distinguish him from his pals. He lives with his mother who is never seen but always heard when Howard is at home. Her voice is shrill and she treats Howard as if he

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