'We're physicists': Gender, genre and the image of scientists in The Big Bang Theory. Issue 1 (1st April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weitekamp, Margaret A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of popular television. Volume 3:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2015-04-01
• Subjects: Television broadcasting -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 791.4505
• DOI: 10.1386/jptv.3.1.75_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-9861

Abstract

As a comedy, the popular CBS television show The Big Bang Theory (2007–) has made an international commercial success of its portrayal of scientists, complete with equation-laden white boards and an affectionate depiction of nerd culture. Working both with and against the gendered stereotypes of the nerd and the mad scientist – and drawing upon many of the core characteristics of situation comedy as a genre – The Big Bang Theory offers a sympathetic and nuanced depiction of scientists, including a more diverse group of scientists by gender, ethnicity, and scientific subfields than usually seen in either television or movies.