Weitekamp says, "The show itself starts from the idea that scientists and nerds have a certain number of stereotypes and then the characters, I think, are really written in a way that both plays with and sometimes against these existing stereotypes."
“Part of The Big Bang Theory's popularity comes from being the right show at the right time, where there has been an evolution in the social acceptance of geeks or nerds. Being able to work on computers, knowing science, knowing that stuff, and seeing that as a new kind of 'geek chic,' and this show then exploited that very effectively,” says Weitekamp.
“It’s unusual to have a portrayal of scientists in a comedy and not in a drama. They tend to be supporting characters who provide the answer, or who are so obsessed with their own work that they actually created the problem,” says Weitekamp.
Finally, says Weitekamp, "If readers have the chance to take a look at my academic look at the Big Bang theory and see how science, scientists, knowledge about science and how science works, it might allow readers to think a little about the ways in which science is represented on television and in film.
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