The Broken Elevator

[PapSmear081]

Do you think the elevator will ever be fixed? I don't as the discussions that take place on the stairs are a big part of the show.

[WyoLars]

No, I think it is a very cleaver plot device. When you think about it, they are getting allot for their money with the sets they have developed. Two rooms and a stairwell that can be reproduced to act as 3(?). With the addition or removal of caution tape and cardboard signs.

[Sinister3005]

It should be fixed as the last thing in the final episode of the season, as a weird sort of finale cliff-hanger. then in the first ep of season 2, sheldon or one of the other 3 can break it trying to make it better or something.

[Sinister3005]

Another idea (that my mother had actually, she enjoys the show as well), is that they all need to fix the elevator either as a finale plot/hanger, or at the end of the season two opener, and then have an episode where they all get stuck together. (perhaps this will give a chance for Raj to get over his neurosis, at least where Penny is concerned).

[Sinister3005]

No, I think it is a very cleaver plot device.

When you think about it, they are getting allot for their money with the sets they have developed. Two rooms and a stairwell that can be reproduced to act as 3(?). With the addition or removal of caution tape and cardboard signs.

As far as production costs go, it won't make much difference, as you would still only need the ground floor set + 1 other generic floor. The only addition would be the 6x6 foot box for them to enter into, and money would be saved, seeing as they wouldn't need to worry about changing the signs and purchasing more "CAUTION" tape.

[WyoLars]

but you'd have to build an elevator What I meant is. they get several floors for the price of one. And talking in a stair way is way cooler than standing still in an elevator as it goes up.

[Sinister3005]

but you'd have to build an elevator

No, you'd just replace the empty shaft with a box, its doesn't have to move, you'd just have 1 upstairs and 1 ground floor.

Fair point about the stair being cooler tho.

[Albondi]

i think it wont be fixed,too manny things happen on the stairs, it wont be the same with the elvator

[hurleyking74]

If they fix the elevator we'll never see Kaley shake her booty up the stairs!!!...So no to fixing the elevator!!!!

[Devfix]

Do you think the elevator will ever be fixed? I don't as the discussions that take place on the stairs are a big part of the show.

---

I think the elevator is somewhat reminiscent/symbolic, of the S.S. Minnow from Gilligan's Island to which it was never fixed, even though the Professor could make pretty much anything else.

[Steve]

Bill Prady talked about the broken elevator in an interview:

Is the elevator ever going to be fixed, or does it work too well as a device?

We’re very proud of the elevator. What the elevator and the stairs allowed us to create is two things. One is the set design of most sitcom apartments gives you an L-shaped entrance where the characters  think Friends  enter this way and then walk toward the cameras. And it’s really short. If you want a longer conversation, if you want a walk and talk conversation, you have to come up with another set for it. You often do this by driving in the car or walking on the street. But this way we were able to do our walk and talk on our stage. So it’s terrific.

http://wiki.the-big-bang-theory.com/wiki/Elevator

Steve

[Birphq]

No, I think it is a very cleaver plot device.

When you think about it, they are getting allot for their money with the sets they have developed. Two rooms and a stairwell that can be reproduced to act as 3(?). With the addition or removal of caution tape and cardboard signs.

As far as production costs go, it won't make much difference, as you would still only need the ground floor set + 1 other generic floor. The only addition would be the 6x6 foot box for them to enter into, and money would be saved, seeing as they wouldn't need to worry about changing the signs and purchasing more "CAUTION" tape.

Exposition can be death in a tv movie or play the broken elevator serves at a place where the exposition can take place in a natural setting and not get heavy

[SmartbutSlow]

I don't think they should fix the elevator because it might squash the field cricket who may live inside the shaft.

[smeghead]

Another idea (that my mother had actually, she enjoys the show as well), is that they all need to fix the elevator either as a finale plot/hanger, or at the end of the season two opener, and then have an episode where they all get stuck together. (perhaps this will give a chance for Raj to get over his neurosis, at least where Penny is concerned).

I agree. Some of the best episodes in sitcoms have come from situations where the characters have been trapped somewhere (a hole, on top of a a ferris wheel, a small spacecraft stranded on an ice-covered moon, for example) The episode has to depend purely on dialogue and acting, as opposed to visuals. It's all down to the quality of the writers.

[Meag26]

Yes, but only for an episode, and then it will break again. Maybe the guys will be responsible, and Howard, with his MS in Engineering from MIT will think he can fix it but will only make it worse.

Or maybe it will be fixed and the guys think they can optimize the elevator's performance using their superior IQs, but end up breaking it again.

[KiwiFanz]

Do you think the elevator will ever be fixed? I don't as the discussions that take place on the stairs are a big part of the show.

I agree, The stairs play a very important part in the continued relationship of the casts. The stairs also play an important part in developing new problems and issues that could face our lab rats. The elevator also plays a part in the episodes as the add to the charracter of the show, its cast and the shows story line.

Its such a great idea to have the stairway added as an extension of both apartments.