The television show that I chose to write about is The Big Bang Theory. I chose the
episode, The Change Constant. The sitcom is centered on five characters: Sheldon and his
roommate Leonard; co-workers at California Institute of Technology, Howard and Rajesh; and
Penny, an aspiring actress who works at the Cheesecake Factory. Sheldon is the main character
and is married to neurobiologist Amy Fowler. Sheldon is a self-absorbed genius that lacks an
understanding of most social cues. In the episode I chose Sheldon is struggling with changes in
his personal life after he and Amy find out that they won the Nobel prize. When Amy hears that
she won the Nobel prize, she feels pressured by society to portray herself in a manner
acceptable for successful women scientists.
Throughout the episode Sheldon uses a lot of gestures and paralanguage to convey his
intent with the audience. He speaks very quickly and loudly but uses minimal eye contact.
Sheldon’s inability to consider other people’s feelings was most noticeable when Amy, insecure
about her appearance, updated her wardrobe and got a haircut with the support of Raj. When
Sheldon saw Amy’s new look, he told her bluntly "I liked you better the way you were." Amy
told Sheldon that she’s happy with her new look before Sheldon ran out of the apartment in
frustration. The characters on the show enable Sheldon’s behavior, normalizing his inability to
listen to, and empathize with them. The male characters portrayed on The Big Bang Theory are
stereotypical socially awkward geeks. They do not display traditional traits associated with
masculinity.
Sheldon’s socially awkward personality quirks are constantly used for humor. By the end
of the episode Sheldon had come to terms with the changes he faces after winning the Nobel
prize, but we don’t see Sheldon ever apologize to Amy or acknowledge her makeover.