Fall T.V.: Big Bang Theory Pilot

Picture Friends if most of the characters were nerds with IQs over 150, all of whom work in some physics related field and all of whom are male. Add to the mix the hot neighbor who just moved in across the hall, whose IQ isn't her most impressive feature. That's the basic set up for "The Big Bang Theory," which premiered on CBS this week.

Roommates Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) aren't exactly smooth operators on the dating scene but within moments of meeting Penny, Sheldon convinces himself that he has a shot and immediately invites her to lunch. Sheldon's attempts to impress her go awry, no thanks to Leonard whose social skill suggest Asperger's Syndrome. Tries to impress her with their relative greatness at string theory and differential calculus don't have quite the desired effect. Well, she is impressed, but nonplussed.

Then two friends arrive with a great Stephen Hawking video while Penny is borrowing the shower. (Hers doesn't work.) The geek quotient rises exponentially. One of the friends attempts to get her into role playing gaming and the other won't talk to her because, "he can't talk to women." Then, Leonard agrees to go get Penny's TV from her ex, a guy who looks like a line backer. He pantses them and sends them packing.

The kick off was funny and light, and the cast seems to be having a good time with the material. The writing is appropriately clever, with plenty of snappy retorts and one-liners. I liked it. But then, I have a soft spot for geeks. I think the show has great promise and hope to see more of Leonard and Sheldon.