Sheldon Cooper. Aspie, or offensive parody?

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There is some cross over between selective muteness and ASD as they get sensory overload. SM is a very real thing and I am glad that they wrote a character in with it however they've kept it as a running joke and it's losing it's appeal. It can go hand in hand with autism sometimes, and the gf that kept taking off when she felt overwhelmed I think is more autistic than just shy as just sending a meal back was way too much for her to process and overwhelming.

Sheldon, despite some symptoms being exaggerated is endearing and while some may have a problem with how he's represented on the whole I think he has given the "NT" audience (NT as in just normal) some understanding which can only be a good thing and shows that there are ways to connect with people who are different.

This is one positive about the show...I guess the more you try and make drama or comedy fit real world fidelity the entertainment value starts to wear thin.

Jumping in here. I have seen every episode of Big Bang and love the show. I personally didn't catch the AS undertones as much at the start of the series, but as it goes on they have some really emotional moment related to AS-like issues. For instance at the end of last season when (spoiler ahead) Penny and Leonard get engaged and several other things are going on as well, Sheldon has a moment of explaining why the changes are hard and that he just needs to go away for a while. Leonard wants to protect him to some degree and Penny encourages Sheldon to go because it is what he needs.

Honestly the social dynamics of the group are really complex behind the comedy. Very endearing under all the laughs.

As a side note, my father (who is very AS-ish himself) worked as an engineer for years in aerospace. He said that the relationships and conversations in that "nerdy" environment were very similar to the show. He said a lot of the engineers were of the same personality type as the men on the show. So at least in that respect it seems true to life.

We can not be watching the same show. It's a funny show but I see absolutely nothing endearing there.

Different strokes for different folks.

Agreed. There are things my friends/family watch that I totally see differently than they do.

I love Sheldon.

If his beautiful mind came wrapped in a rugged bearded package with a high sex drive, he would be my ideal mate.

Parody because it's comic show.

But i like The Big Bang.

I don't like the show because I don't think the jokes are funny, but I don't see how it's offensive.

Aspies are weird. We have awkward encounters. That makes good comedy. And Aspies are different from one another. So my encounters could seem weird to another Aspie. I also know my encounters with people can make good comedy. My responses sometimes make people laugh. I'm not offended by it. If anything, I'm glad that at least it entertains someone.

To be honest, mixed feelings. I used to love the show, but I felt like it jumped the shark during the 3rd season when they actually had Sheldon go on a date with someone. I'm not trying to imply Aspies don't date, as I know a few who have, but part of what made Sheldon so appealing to me was that he enjoyed his solitude...a LOT! I can see where some people would think he isn't exactly the most flattering character, though. I'm on the spectrum myself and view myself more as a Leonard type - geeky (somewhat) but still relatively accessible to people who aren't.

I certainly should hope us Aspies can date, as I'm an Aspie and am married.

Well, I just got back from Steel City Con,
where I dressed as my favorite Star Trek character Q as usual
and said hello to Chekov (actor Walter Koenig)
and another one of the Q (actor Corbin Bernsen)
plus I may have just made a friend who is also a Q.

She's not exactly 100% like me of course,
I think I'm more intense.
That said, it's always nice to find people
who are on the same wavelength.

I don't see how I could be offended by a parody
that seems really close to how I am in real life.

...

Of course we can!! Sadly, I am currently single :/

Never give up hope.

Not offensive, but a lot of stereotypes that we need to and are slowly starting to move away from.

I like Sheldon. Jim Parsons is the only reason why I watch The Big Bang Theory.