The Big Bang Theory: Season 1 (2007-2008)

2008 was a strange year in terms of sitcoms. Ever since Seinfeld and Friends wrapped in 1998 and 2004 respectively, there has been a power vacuum in terms of sitcoms in general. I remember watching the Pilot episode of The Big Bang Theory in September 2007 and realizing that it was one of the first since Seinfeld and Friends (the former of which greatly exceeds the latter in my opinion, but that's another whole article on it's own) to stray from the "Everybody Loves..." scenario. I didn't think it would have reached such high levels but I was intrigued enough to sit through the entire first season. What will surprise most people who are fans of The Big Bang Theory who have chosen to go back and watch Season 1 is how much of the show's trademark aspects were absent in the beginning, as it is in most cases. Up until "The Loobenfeld Decay" Sheldon doesn't knock in a fixed set (and even there it's in fours, not the standard threes). Penny lacks most of her slightly more promiscuous qualities and seems more like the typical girl-next-door type. Sheldon's OCD-like qualities trickle in slowly over the first six episodes and Howard and Raj are seen as more supporting characters to the Sheldon-Leonard-Penny triad. Nevertheless, Season 1 has a lot of memorable moments which I remember doubling over in laughter when I first saw them. The sarcasm sign, Wolowitz's impression of Raj to try and fix an impending arranged date with Lalita Gupta, Sheldon singing "To Life" while drunk off of not-so-virgin cuba libres, and his flawed learning of mandarin. First seasons are usually spent by the show trying to find itself, and the first season of The Big Bang Theory is no exception. But beneath, between and behind the flaws laid a show which was very aware of it's potential.