--- title: "The Big Bang Theory: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-big-bang-theory/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-big-bang-theory" critics_score: 67 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Big Bang Theory (2007): what the critics said Critics' score 67 from 8 reviews: 6 positive, 0 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics are positive about The Big Bang Theory, with praise centred on its appealing leads, familiar comic pleasures and affection for socially awkward characters. Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons draw praise, while the longer-view assessments highlight character development, relationships and the mixture of clever references and broad humour. The favourable finale reviews value a farewell that stays consistent with the series and gives its characters an emotionally satisfying send-off without forcing major changes. The spread is wide, however, and the central disagreement concerns whether that familiarity is comforting or limiting. Even supportive reviews acknowledge an outdated format, uneven laughs or a run that lasts too long. The AV Club finds the pilot’s treatment of nerds mocking rather than kind, despite some promise in Galecki. Vulture takes the harsher long view, reading the finale’s emphasis on friendship as further evidence of a series unwilling to evolve. ## Radio Times — Jack Seale Rating 8.1/10. The review notes that the popular US sitcom about nerds probably overstayed its welcome but recovered with a strong final season and emotionally satisfying finale. It highlights the show's enduring affection from audiences despite its flaws. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-6enu6l/the-big-bang-theory/) ## The Hollywood Reporter Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 September 2007. The critic calls it a nice combination of brains and belly laughs and a solid addition to the CBS comedy block, highlighting humor drawn from the social deficiencies of boy geniuses in a kind way. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/big-bang-theory-158202/) ## The i Paper — Nick Hilton Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 31 October 2024. The critic argues that The Big Bang Theory stands as the last great American sitcom due to its effective long-running character development and broad appeal, despite its outdated format and occasional problematic elements. It praises the show's ability to deliver familiar comedic pleasures amid changing TV landscapes. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/big-bang-theory-last-great-american-sitcom-3349263) ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2019. The critic finds the series finale delivers an ending true to the show's safe, effective style with minimal surprises beyond a cameo. It praises the hourlong wrap-up for staying consistent with the series' character-driven approach rather than forcing major changes. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/big-bang-finale-review-ending-cameo-spoilers-1202142241/) ## Variety — Brian Lowry Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 September 2007. The critic finds the series promising but not generating many big laughs, praising the appealing leads Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons along with smart humor built around socially backward geniuses. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/the-big-bang-theory-2-1200556192/) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Rating D+. 24 September 2007. The critic finds the pilot broad and outdated, mocking nerds and a ditzy character with silly premises like depantsing. He notes a slight silver lining in Galecki's performance but deems the show not worth watching beyond one episode. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-big-bang-theory-the-big-bang-theory-1798203099) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2019. The review portrays the series as a pop-culture black hole that absorbed trends without reflecting them back, ending with a meditation on its own refusal to evolve. It singles out the finale's focus on friendship over prizes as emblematic of the show's static nature. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/the-big-bang-theory-series-finale-review.html) ## Paste — John-Michael Bond Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2019. The critic praises the show's blend of smart and dumb humor along with its character growth over twelve seasons, noting how it allows social outcasts to bond through sarcasm and gradually learn about relationships. He singles out the authentic science references (fact-checked by actual scientists) and the endearing, dorky romance between Sheldon and Amy for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/the-big-bang-theory/a-eulogy-for-big-bang-theory-a-show-youre-all-goin) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/the-big-bang-theory.md