The Big Bang Theory - Series 1 to 3 DVD Box Set

RRP: £39.99

Best Price: £0

Many of the best sitcoms in history have been about class - the hard-working commoner contrasting with the extremes and wealth and intelligence. Comedy comes up from social standing, and the desperate attempts to improve your position in your lifetime - just look at Basil Fawlty and his lurid struggle to convince people that his eponymous hotel is a classy, exclusive establishment.

The problem today for writers of sitcom is that the old rules don’t apply - we’re educated, smart and free to work hard, make money, and change our own lives forever. On the face of it, at least, the old class system is dead.
Fortunately, The Big Bang Theory gets belly-laughs from the new class system - the intelligent and socially-inept versus the popular. Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) are genius physicist room mates, essentially happy in their own company but struggling to meet girls. Cue aspiring actress Penny (Kaley Cuoco) - a popular girl, sure, but also a stunning, kind one that Leonard can’t help but fall for.

While the funniest moments come from our lovable nerds venturing out into the big wide world, it’s the on/off love story between Leonard and Penny that drives the drama of the show, making for some genuinely touching moments. However much we want it, these two just can’t seem to get it together.

It’s ironic, really - attempts to remake The IT Crowd for the American market were catastrophic, but this is a show that shares a lot with Graham Linehan’s UK sitcom, albeit with computers switched to physics. The difference, ultimately, is a constant focus on romantic plotlines - including self-professed ladies man Howard (Simon Helberg) and super-shy Rajesh (Kunal Nayyar), who both deliver some incredibly funny moments for what are essentially supporting roles. It gives the show a universal quality that explains its massive success - these people are cleverer than us, but they’re going through the same things we are.

This DVD box set features every episode from seasons one to three, making it a great way to get started on this megahit of US comedy.