[Spoilers] Discussion: Season 10

[Chrismo]

9 minutes ago, Shelldon said:

Unless Mayim/Melissa go on a drug rampage like Sheen, they're signed in.

Show could not rationally write out Bernadette/Amy at all without really ruining the mood and years of development. That would be the most massive writing hurdle in sitcom history, because they can't just replace those two with a random billionaire.

Their writing Sheldon the early years I'm not sure you could call that rational.

[Swedish Chef]

I really wonder what plots the writers are gonna come up with concerning Lenny for another 48 episodes, because the writing of Lenny season 8-10 has been weak to say the least. 

[JohnPhD]

1 hour ago, Shelldon said:

Unless Mayim/Melissa go on a drug rampage like Sheen, they're signed in.

Show could not rationally write out Bernadette/Amy at all without really ruining the mood and years of development. That would be the most massive writing hurdle in sitcom history, because they can't just replace those two with a random billionaire.

I don't know why Bernadette and Amy are treated as a package. They didn't come in together and have no special connection.

I don't see how it would be possible to write out Bernadette without without also losing Howard. In fact Old Howard was pretty well done when they brought in Bernadette to save the character, who has been great ever since.

Amy, on the other hand, could easily and cleanly (and IMO advantageously) be written out. Have Sheldon rediscover his emotional self-sufficiency and that his friends are all he needs. No-one else would miss her. Maybe bring back Emily, not necessarilly as Raj's gf but as another friend for Penny and Bernadette. Or have Raj join their girls' nights as an honorary girl.

[Stephen Hawking]

1 minute ago, JohnPhD said:

No-one else would miss her.

I would.

Amy is who got me interested in the show.

[Capt. Hilts]

10 minutes ago, JohnPhD said:

Amy, on the other hand, could easily and cleanly (and IMO advantageously) be written out. Have Sheldon rediscover his emotional self-sufficiency and that his friends are all he needs. No-one else would miss her. 

Amy sells.

Shamy sells.  In ratings.  In digital viewership.

[JohnPhD]

16 minutes ago, Stephen Hawking said:

I would.

Amy is who got me interested in the show.

I meant other characters, not viewers.

[Tensor]

5 minutes ago, Capt. Hilts said:

Amy sells.

Shamy sells.  In ratings.  In digital viewership.

The two highest rated seasons are season three, and season six, both heavily Lenny.  The highest rated epsiodes the last two years have been Lenny's Weddings (although this years wasn't much on the wedding).  The ratings for the show, even as they have concentrated more on Sheldon and Amy, have fallen.  So, what exactly are you basing that claim on?  

Even with the above, I wound't claim that it's Leonard and Penny that created that those high ratings.  Or the reason the ratings are falling is because of Sheldon and Amy.   In truth, there isn't anything anyone can point to that says this couple or that couple is the reason the ratings are what they are.  

[3ku11]

And yeah I think Season 3 is still the highest rated season in demo of this show. And correct me if I'm wrong. 7.02 The Deception Verification (A Lenny Episode) was the most viewed TbbT episode of all time. That might of been in Live +7 is it lol? Sorry my knowledge not that great on this subject.

So the most watched seasons 3 and 6. Were heavily centred around Lenny. That's not to say the ratings were high because of Lenny. But Shamy don't bring the ratings in. Nor do they decline Them. Down to a various of factors I'm betting.

On the topic of writing Amy out. Won't happen as Mayim most likely we'll sign on for another two seasons. But in story I can see Amy being written out more then Bernadette. Bernadette is married to one of the main character's. She kinda saved Howard's character in S4. They now have a baby together. Shamy while endering. And having a big fanbase. Apart from having sex once a year. Unless theirs a proposal on the horizon. They could easily write out Amy in one episode. Just like they could easily end this show in one episode.

The thing with Amy is she was more Sheldon then Sheldon originally. Then by hanging out with Penny. That started to tear down. To the point Sheldon would ask "What happened to you?". This was of course the beginning of the "Sheldon evolves into a real boy" narrative. Which a big part of the mainstream is clearly loving. But the traditionalists I beleive may have been tuned out by all of this. And we're lost over the corresponding 6 odd seasons.

Of course to change where the show is at now. You would have to go back to 2010.  But you can't. It is what it is. I'm just saying because I stuck with the show. I've seen Amy evolve into this great character. Initially that was not the case though. I found her unlikeable. 

Edited March 20, 2017 by 3ku11

[BigBang15]

4 hours ago, Shelldon said:

Unless Mayim/Melissa go on a drug rampage like Sheen, they're signed in.

Show could not rationally write out Bernadette/Amy at all without really ruining the mood and years of development. That would be the most massive writing hurdle in sitcom history, because they can't just replace those two with a random billionaire.

They don't have to. If one doesn't want to sign, then they have that money to add to the one left to bring them close to 1mil/ep. Either one can be written out...

"in a special The Big Bang Theory episode, see the gang deal with a death among their group. When a mutant virus escapes in Bernadette's lab, Howard is left to raise Halley as a single father, like his mother was left to raise him,.... Stay tuned this season on The Big Bang Theory!"

or

"in a special The Big Bang Theory episode, see the gang deal with a death among their group. While accompanying Bert on a geological expedition to get a break from Sheldon after a fight, an avalanche destroys the vehicle Burt and Amy are traveling in.... Stay tuned this season on The Big Bang Theory!"

 

or Amy or Bernadette can be walking down the street and a piano falls on them from the third floor of a building.

Edited March 21, 2017 by BigBang15

[Capt. Hilts]

4 hours ago, JohnPhD said:

I meant other characters, not viewers.

Their goal is viewers.

[3ku11]

16 minutes ago, Capt. Hilts said:

Their goal is viewers.

Well Shamy has no effect on the viewership. None of the characters do. Ratings fluctuate based on a various of factors. Through out the last ten seasons. In Season 3 and 6 as Tensor pointed out. Was their highest rated seasons. When Lenny were major focus. Since Shamy became a major focus post Season 6. Ratings have declined. But that's not down to Shamy effecting viewership. More the fluctuating landscape.

[wonder63]

If they wrote out or Amy and Bernadette were gone. I don't think I would like the show much. I started getting into the show during season 5. Actually I marathoned season 1 to 4 to get ready for 5. I actually got hooked by season 3 and 4. Looking back, I know season 1 and 2 is praised as the golden era, but I really rarely rewatch those seasons at all. The show got better when Bernadette and Amy came in, Penny finally got more developed, when she had other girls to interact with. Now I find those early seasons quite boring. I guess others here will feel differently than I do. 

To go back to the era of season 1 and 2, I think I will drop this show. Because we have had more seasons with Amy and Bernadette than without then now. The time where it was just the boys and penny is such a small part of the series now, that I can't see it going back to that period again.

3 minutes ago, 3ku11 said:

Well Shamy has no effect on the viewership. None of the characters do. Ratings fluctuate based on a various of factors. Through out the last ten seasons. In Season 3 and 6 as Tensor pointed out. Was their highest rated seasons. When Lenny were major focus. Since Shamy became a major focus post Season 6. Ratings have declined. But that's not down to Shamy effecting viewership. More the fluctuating landscape.

Yep all TV shows loose viewers over the years. Nothing new here, so it just comes with longterm shows. Plus TV in general is loosing viewers, because DVR is so popular. TBBT actually scores 20 million viewers in DVR. People just don't watch live anymore. 

[Capt. Hilts]

4 hours ago, Tensor said:

Even with the above, I wound't claim that it's Leonard and Penny that created that those high ratings.  Or the reason the ratings are falling is because of Sheldon and Amy.   In truth, there isn't anything anyone can point to that says this couple or that couple is the reason the ratings are what they are.  

Agreed.

 

8 minutes ago, 3ku11 said:

Well Shamy has no effect on the viewership. None of the characters do. Ratings fluctuate based on a various of factors. Through out the last ten seasons. In Season 3 and 6 as Tensor pointed out. Was their highest rated seasons. When Lenny were major focus. Since Shamy became a major focus post Season 6. Ratings have declined. But that's not down to Shamy effecting viewership. More the fluctuating landscape.

http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/gossip/32410-the-big-bang-theory-broke-the-guinness-world-record-after-24-million-people-saw-amy-and-sheldon-finally-have-sex-on-the-show.html

 

[SRAM]

1 hour ago, BigBang15 said:

 

"in a special The Big Bang Theory episode, see the gang deal with a death among their group. When a mutant virus escapes in Bernadette's lab, Howard is left to raise Halley as a single father, like his mother was left to raise him,.... Stay tuned this season on The Big Bang Theory!"

 

Howard, Raj, Stuart and Halley, didn't I see a movie like that, "Three Men and a Baby".

[Tensor]

1 hour ago, Capt. Hilts said:

http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/gossip/32410-the-big-bang-theory-broke-the-guinness-world-record-after-24-million-people-saw-amy-and-sheldon-finally-have-sex-on-the-show.html

 

So?  Let's clear this up, again.  The only record it broke, was for the most viewers added in Live + 7 (7.1 million) and it only held that for less than a year, as it was broken by Designated Survivor's first episode with 7.6 million.  The opening episode 9.01 had over a million more viewers, in Live + SD, than that episode.  It had a higher demo also.  As I also pointed out in another post earlier this year, that episode isn't even in the top 40, in Live + 7, ever, for TBBT, in terms of Demo.  The majority of shows in season six, seven and eight had a higher Live + 7 demo than that episode.  How many of those people taped it just because of the EVENT, not the couple.  My daughter, who hasn't watched for the last three years, and really doesn't like Shamy, taped it just because of the history of Sheldon, it had nothing to do with the couple.

1 hour ago, wonder63 said:

Yep all TV shows loose viewers over the years. Nothing new here, so it just comes with longterm shows. Plus TV in general is loosing viewers, because DVR is so popular. TBBT actually scores 20 million viewers in DVR. People just don't watch live anymore. 

 Actually, no it doesn't anymore.  It hasn't since the start of sweeps in February.  It hit just over 19.5 million the first two weeks, it didn't break 18 million (17.57 million) and for the final week, it was just over 18 million (18.30).  I don't expect it to break 18 million again when we get the Live + 7 for 9 March, as it just barely broke 13 million (13.08) for Live + SD.    I'll also point out, that the four sweeps show's demo has not broken a 5.0 and we don't have the March 9th Live + 7 yet, but it hasn't been above 2 for a few weeks and the Live + SD was only 2.8.  

The first part of the year, Empire was ahead of TBBT, in demo.   The last few weeks, This is Us is beating it in demo, in both Live + SD, Live + 3 and Live + 7.  It is also outgaining TBBT in viewers for Live + 3 and Live + 7.  While I don't expect This is Us to beat TBBT for the year, it's possible Empire will.  It's going to get worse for the show when it returns at the end of March.   Daylight Savings will be going on, and TBBT generally loses 3-5 tenths of a demo point, and around 1-1.25  million viewers.   I expect to see low to mid 2s for demo, and possibly below 12 million viewers for Live + SD, when the show come back on the 30th of March.  

[Carlos]

16 hours ago, BigBang15 said:

You obviously are not versed in Indian culture. Which is fine. But that's why Raj is RESPONSIBLE for his sister while away from her parents.

We, and more importantly they ( at the time) lived in America, so the only thing I needed to be versed on (which I am and was at the time), is American culture.

[snapepans]

I'm guessing, we might get one episode of Shamy engagement, one episode of Shamy wedding, one episode of Penny pregnancy announcement, one episode of Raj's "resolution", and, what, 44 episodes of filler?

I'm really hoping that in those 48 episodes, we can get as many decent and nice and funny plots as possible, as few pointless fights, cringe-worthy characters' behavior and repetitive unfunny plots as possible.

Yes, wishful thinking, I know. But anyone can dream, right?  

[3ku11]

Well with negotiations coming to an end. It well mean either tptb are not distracted by them anymore. They actually plan the next 2 seasons. And put some real creative effort, into some fun, clever plots. OR with two seasons in the bag. No fear of cancellation. Well get same old. 

[Jonny]

I probably wouldn't be here now if they hadn't of added the Amy and Bernadette characters, i'm a true believer that the show would have ended years ago with the original format. I watched the occasional early season episodes when they were aired but it wasn't until last year that I found this forum and watched every episode from start to the present. Doubtful I would be posting on this forum if the show had ended years ago.

I think they all make the show what it is and any loss of characters or the actors who play them would damage the show irrevocably. Again I am hopeful everyone will be back I just want to see it confirmed or set in stone, as it stands right now it's not.

Edited March 21, 2017 by Jonny

[3ku11]

1 hour ago, Jonny said:

I probably wouldn't be here now if they hadn't of added the Amy and Bernadette characters, i'm a true believer that the show would have ended years ago with the original format. I watched the occasional early season episodes when they were aired but it wasn't until last year that I found this forum and watched every episode from start to the present. Doubtful I would be posting on this forum if the show had ended years ago.

I think they all make the show what it is and any loss of characters or the actors who play them would damage the show irrevocably. Again I am hopeful everyone will be back I just want to see it confirmed or set in stone, as it stands right now it's not.

It's probably true the show would of never lasted with its original format. But then again it is speculation. I mean we never got a chance to see that occur. I mean I watch Season 3. And tbh stale Season 3 is more fresher then current show. But a lot of those episodes back then were so creative and unique. Not so much these days.   I've been watching since the pilot though. Would this forum exist without Amy and Bernadette? Yes it's been here since 2007. Would you and a lot of members found this forum without a change in format? Probably not. I just think it's still stuff like ludicrous story ideas. Repeated Cannon. It's almost like after Season 7. They stopped trying. So you see Character Assassination at will. I'm hoping with a two year extension. They start to plan things out better. And we get some clever and fun plots.

Edited March 21, 2017 by 3ku11

[joyceraye]

On 19/03/2017 at 5:45 PM, Stephen Hawking said:

 "and he was willing to marry Leonard and Bernadette himself"  

I wonder how Howard felt about that?  

Thanks for noticing that. I've corrected the error.

[HeWolf]

19 hours ago, Tensor said:

Which Raj abrogated by not telling his parents, about her relationship with Leonard.  He obviously had no control over her, so he should have passed that along to his parents. 

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in these discussions is that Raj is afraid of Priya. She has demonstrated a willingness to cause him physical pain if he crossed her. How sincere he may have been about 'looking out' for her may be up for debate, but there can be no doubt about her disregard for his counsel (bluster) and readiness to put him in his place if he became a real obstruction to her fulfilling her agenda.

[joyceraye]

How are they fixed for affording somebody for Rajesh ? With only two more seasons to go, they need to be ultra-careful introducing an extra permanent character into the mix. A new one who can complete the circle will need time. Raj's new woman - if they're going to end the series in two years they're surely not leaving him lonely -  needs to be someone who can bed into the storyline quickly. Perhaps one of his old girlfriends will become available and like the change in him ? The Indian girl who said she was gay that he was seriously considering finds out she was wrong and reappears ? I still think Emily, because she knows all the others including Cinnamon, would be the most suitable. Raj can have a change of heart towards her now he is getting a more mature view of the world. Her own quirks and kinks might have smoothed out somewhat over the months since we've seen them. Lucy seems somewhat more sure of herself and might work. I don't know about America, but in the UK an Indian bachelor pushing forty is not a creature I have ever encountered and possibly does not even exist.

[BigBang15]

8 hours ago, Carlos said:

We, and more importantly they ( at the time) lived in America, so the only thing I needed to be versed on (which I am and was at the time), is American culture.

Yeah, that's how it works.

[spidergirl]

3 hours ago, Jonny said:

I probably wouldn't be here now if they hadn't of added the Amy and Bernadette characters, i'm a true believer that the show would have ended years ago with the original format. I watched the occasional early season episodes when they were aired but it wasn't until last year that I found this forum and watched every episode from start to the present. Doubtful I would be posting on this forum if the show had ended years ago.

I think they all make the show what it is and any loss of characters or the actors who play them would damage the show irrevocably. Again I am hopeful everyone will be back I just want to see it confirmed or set in stone, as it stands right now it's not.

The show only make sense with all of them imo. Even Raj who was been claimed a few times that could be replaced, imo things would be not the same anymore as his friendhip with Howard is one of the best things of the show.