I have had an on again/off again relationship with The Big Bang Theory since it premiered. I watched it for a little while but got turned off by the content. The previews kept cracking me up, however, I was debating about watching it again. When I got a great deal on the first and second seasons on DVD, I decided to give up the fight, and I watched the first season in a matter of days.

For those who have yet to inhabit this universe, the show focuses on four geeks and a "normal." Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) are roommates and physicists working at Cal Tech. But these are just high tech guys, they also enjoy other geekly endeavors like comic books and video games. They usually hang out with co-workers Howard (Simon Helberg) and Raj (Kunal Nayyar).

As the series opens, into this world walks Penny (Kaley Cuoco). She's literally the beautiful girl next door since she moves into the apartment across the hall from Leonard and Sheldon. She's an aspiring actress, which naturally means she's making a living as a waitress. Most of the guys immediately develop crushes on her, but it's Leonard who is the most serious about her.

And despite how little they have in common, the five of them begin to form a friendship. But first, Penny has to deal with Sheldon and Leonard cleaning up her place for her while she slept. Sheldon gets fired for telling his new boss exactly what he thinks of him. Leonard and Sheldon stop speaking to each other after Leonard decides to present a paper they both authored. Sheldon tries to tell a sufficiently complex lie to Penny. And Penny must take care of a sick Sheldon.

If there is any standout character that makes this show hilarious, it's Sheldon. This guy may be brilliant when it comes to his job, but he is a complete idiot when it comes to interacting with anyone. His reaction to things, or lack of reaction, makes for some of the best jokes in the show.

Watching this season also made me aware that I might have to admit to the geek label I've been avoiding for a while. I have been part of some of the conversations the guys have, although usually as an outsider. (At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.)

This show could easily devolve with stereotypical characters, and I'll admit that most of these characters seem to have one or two dominate traits with hints at more, even after a complete season. However, I do feel that most of the characters are real, or at least real enough that we can't help but root for them. Even Sheldon, as much as I would be ready to slap him in real life, is likable.

The exception to that is Howard. His is described on multiple occasions as creepy. While all the characters are obsessed with sex, Howard takes it to an uncomfortable low. If there are any moments that make me squirm in disgust, you can bet that he's involved. And that pretty much seems to be his only trait. It's disappointing to say the least.

Frankly, the constant sex jokes are the main reason I stopped watching at one point and still the only turn off to the show for me. They don't need them to be funny; most of the funniest scenes have come from the characters and not the sex jokes. But that's what they revert to time and time again. Additionally, the couple of times that religion has come into things, it's been treated negatively. Not too big a fan of that, but at least so far it's been minor enough that I can still enjoy the show.

The acting on the show is universally great. The main actors are great as breathing life into their characters and really rounding them out. Yes, even Simon Helberg is good as Howard. Special praise must go to Kunal Nayyar whose Raj is too terrified to talk to women. His facial expressions alone are priceless. But the undisputable star of the show is Jim Parsons. He makes anti-social Sheldon completely believable and funny without resorting to too many stereotypes. He was born for this role pure and simple.

Due to the writer's strike of the fall of 2007, there were only 17 episode in the first season. All of them are here on three discs in widescreen and stereo sound. Not surprising from a recent TV show, they look and sound great. There is one 17 minute behind the scenes type featurette that talks about the creation of the show and the characters. It's nothing too groundbreaking but interesting.

While I don't find all the sex jokes funny, when things come together perfectly, The Big Bang Theory is brilliantly funny. I used to watch lots of sitcoms, but got away from them. I'm quite happy to get back into them for season one of this show.

Sheldon: Okay, who's on lithium?
Leonard: Huh?
Sheldon: Look at our logo. Three electrons orbiting the nucleus. If you look at the CGI atom that appears between scene changes, the nucleus consists of six spheres, 3 neutrons and 3 protons, although why one of them is pink and another one is gold is beyond me-
Penny: I think the pink one is supposed to be me.
Sheldon: That would almost make sense, but then why 6 spheres? There are only 5 of us. In any event, this is clearly a lithium atom.
Howard: Actually, as a matter of fact, I used to be on lithium. Now I'm on Prozac.
Leonard: It's not supposed to represent lithium, it's just supposed to represent...atoms, and..stuff.
Sheldon: "Atoms and stuff?" Then it's meaningless. It's gaudy and comical. If we are to have a logo, it should be something we can respect.
Leonard: Thank you, Dr. Manhattan.
Sheldon: I'm serious! We need to get this logo changed to something actually relevant to the big bang theory.
Raj (whispers to Howard, smiling.)
Howard: Well, maybe, but how would you turn that into a logo?
Raj (whispers some more)
Howard: Hmm...Nah, I don't think she'd go for it
Penny: No. She wouldn't.
Sheldon: You all are talking about coitus, aren't you?

If you think any of the above is remotely humorous, get this series. It's even better.

Considering that I don't usually watch scripted television shows, this one was strongly recommended viewing by my students. I promised I would give it a chance, so I bought the first season on Amazon. This show has a quirky, intelligent sense of humor, and Sheldon's lack of a filter never fails to amaze. If only I didn't find him so relatable... Introverts and brainy individuals will love this show just as much as extroverts and average people - just not for the same reasons.

My daughter is a high school senior and several of her friends are huge fans of the show. She had watched a few episodes with them and enjoyed it enough that we purchased the first season to watch at home. Now my husband and I are fans as well. Just humorous, quirky, and fun comedy. The characters are great and the actors are perfect for their roles. They play off each other well and the character of Sheldon has me in stitches each time I see an episode.

NOTE: I would advise parents that almost every episode has a large number of references to sexual issues. Trying to get girls into bed with them is one of the main focuses for three of the main characters. It is fine for the older teen, but I would not have been comfortable with the material when my daughter was younger. If you have that younger teen, you should probably view a handful of exisodes first and make your own decision.

My wife and I watch very little TV, and when we do watch, it's mostly documentaries and college football. But I have to say that I've been watching TV shows since 1951, and I've seen a lot of comedy series come and go, and Big Bang Theory is consistently the funniest one that I've seen in more than fifty years, and that includes my previous favorite, I Love Lucy.

If you're one of the few TV watchers who hasn't seen Big Bang Theory, start with the pilot show. It gives a good overview of the five main characters at the beginning of the series, and sets the tone for everything that follows. Watch the show, and you'll be hooked like we were.