Hilgemann - CAPS Blog 5

Hilgemann – CAPS Blog #5

                Popular culture is likely the most efficient way to perpetuate a stereotype in today’s world of constant bombardment of information by the internet at TV. Popular culture is defined by Martin as cultural products that most people share and know about, including television, music, videos, and popular magazines” (page 361). The very fact that these sorts of media are indeed shared by so many people is what makes them so proficient at spreading stereotypes. One of the more stereotypical shows on television today is CBS’s The Big Bang Theory. The show follows the exploits of four socially inept scientists and an aspiring female actress. Stereotypes of nerdy scientists, clueless blondes, and awkward foreigners are perpetuated throughout the show.

                At the forefront of the show is the nerdy scientist stereotype. The plot generally revolves around the exploits of four male graduate students in science and engineering. Two of them are roommates and another character still lives with his mom. The show plays on the stereotypes that the scientists are socially awkward, unable to find a date, and obsessed with comic book superheroes.  One of the main characters, Sheldon Cooper, is the epitome of this stereotype. He sees most of life outside of his theoretical physics work to be unfulfilling, harsh, and generally worthless. Sheldon also has issues understanding and utilizing basic social skills such as small talk and sarcasm.

                The role of the clueless blonde is taken by a character named Penny. Penny moves to California from Nebraska to pursue an acting career. She is introduced the group of scientists because she ends up moving into an apartment across the hall from Sheldon and his roommate, Leonard Hofstadter. Penny and Leonard pursue an off and on relationship throughout the show. Penny general has unrealistic hopes for her stalled acting career, and works as waitress at the Cheesecake Factory. She has trouble understanding basic scientific concepts introduced to her by the boys. She also maintains a, shall we say, colorful social life. Her multiple ex-boyfriends make multiple appearances in various episodes. Interestingly, she also portrays the typical Nebraska stereotype in that he loves college football.

                The awkward foreigner in the show is named Raj Koothrappali, another of the quintet of scientists. He is a transplant from India and has a number of interesting quirks. He is at least as socially inept as the others, but arguably more so because he refuses to talk if there’s a woman in the room. Unless, of course, if he has alcohol in his system. Naturally, Raj doesn't pick up on all of the uniquely American social customs and sometimes needs thing explained to him. The stereotype is most apparent when he has discussions with his parents, who are very conservative and traditional Indians. They generally pester him about finding a wife. At one point, the two go so far as to set up an arranged marriage for Raj.

Despite the fact that The Big Bang Theory is very stereotypical in a number of ways, it is difficult to argue that the show is dangerous. I think the show is excessive enough in its stereotyping, that most people would recognize that it is not meant to be an accurate representation of life.  However, the possibility still exists that people from the outside looking in may interpret the show differently in much the same way that foreigners may consider American sit-coms to be accurate portrayals of American life (Martin, 2012, p 363). It can be argued that the stereotyping in the show really only becomes a problem if you are looking for it. Even though it may not be directly harmful, the show still enforces common stereotypes of scientists, blondes, and foreigners (Gender Identity, 2012).

Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. (2012). Intercultural Communication in Contexts (6th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.

Gender Identity on "The Big Bang Theory". (2012, January 14). Retrieved from http://mediaandidentity.wordpress.com.