A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

BIG BANG BABY, CRASH CRASH CRASH: I have watched much mediocre to bad television in my life. ALF, Small Wonder, Emily's Reasons Why Not. Indeed, at one point, I even attempted to watch episodes of the competiting torture game shows The Chair and The Chamber. That said, I don't know if I've ever disliked a show as much as I disliked the pilot of The Big Bang Theory (available for free on iTunes, and not a good bargain even at that price). What works? Um, Kaley Cuoco is pretty, there's a nice Barenaked Ladies theme song, and, well, that's about it. The shows lacks a high concept (hot girl moves in across the hall from science dorks), sharp writing (the best joke involves a Stephen Hawking impression), or interesting acting (it's like Cuoco was directed contantly with "same thing, only dumber!" and the dorks with "same thing, only more nervous and awkward"). An overbearing laugh track doesn't help matters in the least, but, if anything, draws attention to how aggressively unfunny many of the jokes are. Sad that this is HIMYM's leadout. Sadder still that it and Cane appear to be getting most of CBS's new show promotion this year. To be avoided.