.

I just cannot suspended disbelief that people who all make over $100k in their professional lives would live in the same apt for 7 years, wear the same goofy clothes, and in general act that way. They are top earners in the US based on their jobs and yes, they do anything they want to because of their income, it seems odd they've all just stagnated in the same building for the better part of a decade.

I would venture to guess there are loads and loads of $100K job earners in Pasadena that live in apartments just like that for 7+ years. Obviously they are going to wear goofy clothes and act like nerds because the show is about a group of friends that wear goofy clothes and act like nerds.

By that same logic the TV show Bonanza was also flawed - I cannot suspend disbelief that the Cartwright's get in a gun-fight in nearly every episode, someone always dies, and it happens to never be them....how realistic is that?
 
I would venture to guess there are loads and loads of $100K job earners in Pasadena that live in apartments just like that for 7+ years. Obviously they are going to wear goofy clothes and act like nerds because the show is about a group of friends that wear goofy clothes and act like nerds.

By that same logic the TV show Bonanza was also flawed - I cannot suspend disbelief that the Cartwright's get in a gun-fight in nearly every episode, someone always dies, and it happens to never be them....how realistic is that?

Bonanza, huh? Not showing your age at all with that reference. No siree.
 
Tossing or a comedy because of a laugh track really limits things. There aren't a lot of sitcoms done without them even today. As far as TBBT, I think it is as good a show as there is out there as far as mainstream comedies.
 
that's why i don't watch much network tv. i can't take the possible-but-improbable stuff that happens. just watched an episode of a comedy and it was at a NYE party. everyone is making jokes then someone walks in and says "hey guys 5 seconds let's count down". Then they count down to midnight. I have been to NYE parties for the last 20 years and never once has the entire group been so out of touch that a random guest has to come in and tell us it's 5 seconds til midnight and then we suddenly start counting. that just doesn't happen. i know this sounds stupid ("you're right, it does!") but i have a hard time enjoying stuff that isn't realistic. it actually sucks because i don't get into shows like other people do. i mostly stick to documentaries and informative reality shows like sharktank, etc.

Shark Tank as realistic? Is that really the card you're playing?
 
that's why i don't watch much network tv. i can't take the possible-but-improbable stuff that happens. just watched an episode of a comedy and it was at a NYE party. everyone is making jokes then someone walks in and says "hey guys 5 seconds let's count down". Then they count down to midnight. I have been to NYE parties for the last 20 years and never once has the entire group been so out of touch that a random guest has to come in and tell us it's 5 seconds til midnight and then we suddenly start counting. that just doesn't happen. i know this sounds stupid ("you're right, it does!") but i have a hard time enjoying stuff that isn't realistic. it actually sucks because i don't get into shows like other people do. i mostly stick to documentaries and informative reality shows like sharktank, etc.

You would hate Game of Thrones.
 
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Yay! Time for one of my favorite gifs!

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I'm on team HipHopp. Maybe it's just a reflection of the era I grew up in, but the laugh track doesn't bother me. I'm pretty sure nearly every tv comedy in the 80's and 90's had one.
MASH had a laugh track. Didn't hear anyone complaining
 
I would venture to guess there are loads and loads of $100K job earners in Pasadena that live in apartments just like that for 7+ years. Obviously they are going to wear goofy clothes and act like nerds because the show is about a group of friends that wear goofy clothes and act like nerds.

By that same logic the TV show Bonanza was also flawed - I cannot suspend disbelief that the Cartwright's get in a gun-fight in nearly every episode, someone always dies, and it happens to never be them....how realistic is that?
And what about The Waltons? All those years running that saw mill and they still had all their fingers?
 
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MASH had a laugh track. Didn't hear anyone complaining
I'm not as anti-laugh track as some. It's not my favorite thing in the world, but I don't necessarily think it's the worst either. Cosby show had the laughter as did Seinfeld, and they were just fine. You can make the case that the laughter enhanced a show like Seinfeld. Some brilliant bits of comedy occurred when the actors had to maintain their composure waiting for the audience to quiet down.

Actually, if I think about it, the absolute best use of a laugh track in television history has to be the Larry Sanders show. For the scenes where they're doing the show, and they have an audience, they've got the laugh track. For everything off stage, there's no laugh track. It's fantastic, and actually helps drive home the theme of the show. That's just brilliant.

And to jump back in topics a bit, the Larry Sanders show might be the best "smart" show of all time. I go back and watch an episode or two every once in a while. It's just incredibly good. I don't know if there's a bad episode.
 
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I'm not as anti-laugh track as some. It's not my favorite thing in the world, but I don't necessarily think it's the worst either. Cosby show had the laughter as did Seinfeld, and they were just fine. You can make the case that the laughter enhanced a show like Seinfeld. Some brilliant bits of comedy occurred when the actors had to maintain their composure waiting for the audience to quiet down.

Actually, if I think about it, the absolute best use of a laugh track in television history has to be the Larry Sanders show. For the scenes where they're doing the show, and they have an audience, they've got the laugh track. For everything off stage, there's no laugh track. It's fantastic, and actually helps drive home the theme of the show. That's just brilliant.

And to jump back in topics a bit, the Larry Sanders show might be the best "smart" show of all time. I go back and watch an episode or two every once in a while. It's just incredibly good. I don't know if there's a bad episode.

I'm not sure Garry Shandling knew how to lay an egg.
 
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Put me in the Better than most of the current sit-coms on TV crowd. And so much better than 2 Broke Girls it's not even funny (yes, I made a gentle little joke there).

I've probably seen 20-30 episodes.
 
If I want real "Nerd Comedy" I watch Silicon Valley. That one's nerdy enough that my wife doesn't get it.

It's still not 100% realistic though. Not many TV shows are.

I'm curious what all of the BBT haters watch with their champagne tastes?

I detest BBT - but Silicon Valley is amazing nerd comedy. Some of the other comedies I watch are:

You're the Worst
Louie
Better Things
Man Seeking Woman
Bojack
Archer
 
I enjoy BBT, the awkwardness of the characters is what does it for me. I think people who dont like it just over think it. I also have a very broad range of comedy likes, that may help as well.
 

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