January 16, 2012

#03-005: The Big Bang Theory

Seven young people are gathered in a living room. A South Asian man sits on the left, with a bearded man, a blond girl, a slim man, and a man with a bowl haircut and turtleneck sit across a couch; a short blond woman and a tall straight-haired brunette stand behind the couch.
The cast of The Big Bang Theory
(Wikipedia)

Note: Mark, an American student, talks with his Indian friend about the TV show, The Big Bang Theory.

Get Ready: Do you know any "nerds"? Do you think they're funny?

Sunil, from India, walks into the Common Room of their dorm and sees Mark laughing as he looks at his laptop. 

Sunny: What are you watching, Mark?

Mark: <pausing the show>: Oh, hi, Sunny. You know that show, The Big Bang Theory?

Sunny: About the four geeks? Yeah, it's a hoot!

Mark: For sure. Who woulda thought nerds could be so funny?

Sunny: Come on. Don't tell me you didn't laugh at the smart kids at school?

Mark: Well, yeah, I kinda did. But not like I laugh at these guys!

Sunny: I know. And that Penny: what a babe!

Mark: No lie. You know, I went out with her once.

Sunny: Really?

Mark: Bazinga!

Sunny: Oh, you got me! But I think you said you ate once at the Cheesecake Factory, where Penny is supposed to work?

Mark: Sure, but not once--lots of times. I grew up in Pasadena, where the show is set. I even went to a crummy college near Cal Tech!

Sunny: Really! So you knew guys like that?

Mark: Yeah, but like I said, they're not so funny in real life.

Sunny: Oh, come on! They have to be!

Mark: Not really. Question: Can you talk to women without being drunk?

Sunny: Yeah...

Mark: Well, Raj, the Indian guy on the show, can't! That's not funny--it's just pathetic.

Sunny: I guess you're right. Well, I have to go.

Mark: OK, see ya. Back to the show! <pressing "Play">

NOTES:

  • "The Big Bang Theory" or "TBBT," was a popular American TV show. It was a half-hour comedy about four young scientists working in Pasadena, California.
  • Bazinga! is a word used by Sheldon, the most popular character on TBBT, when he has tricked someone

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Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory

Practice: Match the term to its definition below:

  1. babe
  2. back to the show
  3. crummy
  4. don't tell me
  5. for sure
  6. a hoot
  7. nerd and geek
  8. no lie
  9. pathetic
  10. Question:
  11. where the show is set
  12. you got me

  1. I will return to watching...
  2. poor, low-quality
  3. a smart person with poor social skills
  4. strong agreement
  5. sad; pitiable
  6. an attractive girl or guy
  7. said before asking something
  8. you tricked me
  9. I can't believe
  10. something very funny
  11. where it takes place
  12. expresses strong agreement

Answers are in the first comment below.

Submitted to the Shenzhen Daily for January 16, 2012

This lesson received 338 visits on my old site between January, 2012, and July, 2021.

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1 comment:

  1. Professor Jim BucketJuly 24, 2021 at 12:29 AM

    Answers to the Practice: 1. f; 2. a; 3. b; 4. i; 5. l; 6. j; 7. c; 8. d; 9. e; 10. g; 11. k; 12. h

    ReplyDelete

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