The Big Bang Theory

            The representation of female characters in The Big Bang Theory has changed the way that the media expects women to be shown in a television show. Scientists often were shown or portrayed very little in the media and in pop culture, with many other professions like lawyers or doctors being used to show people with high intellect or very well-paying jobs. The Big Bang Theory began to show scientists and what they did, and how they interacted with others, but started off as a mainly male show. The profession was also male dominated, along with most scientists being white males. When the show introduced female scientists as main characters, they were often downplayed as not being as intelligent as the other male characters. The article even uses the term naïve experts, claiming that female scientists allowed their emotions to get in the way of their work. The women in this show often break out of the boundaries set by the other male characters, not allowing them to place them in a traditional female role. The women in The Big Bang Theory express their intelligence just as much as the men, even though the men often try to put them down or act as if they are the more intelligent character. Despite the show’s progressive attempts, hegemonic masculinity can still be noticed as the women are often portrayed less as scientists but as society would view their expected role because of their gender. Despite this, the women are not afraid to challenge the intelligence of the men and express their skills.