The Big Bang Theory is analogous to Friends and here's the reason why 

The hit 90's sitcom Friends was monumental and paved the way for future sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother, which borrowed many tropes from their predecessors.

Fans of both shows have noticed many thematic similarities between TBBT and Friends. From an unseen obese character (ugly n*ked guy/Mrs. Wolowitz) to a drunk Vegas wedding (Ross-Rachel/Leonard-Penny), the similarities are endless.

Both shows also have the lead couple practically babysitting and being the unofficial parents of the other lead character. While Monica-Chandler coddled Joey, Penny-Leonard were Sheldon's unofficial parents in The Big Bang Theory.

Let's dig into all the similarities between The Big Bang Theory and Friends.

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Exploring thematic and character similarities in The Big Band Theory and Friends

The Big Bang Theory, which brilliantly took the Friends' legacy forward, borrows many thematic and character tropes from its predecessor.

Talking about thematic similarity, the show's setup is quite similar to Friends, with a group of friends in their late 20s hanging out daily and navigating careers and relationships.

From the apartments across the hall to a pretty blonde girl joining the group in the first episode, TBBT is heavily inspired by Friends. While the friends hung out in Central Perk in the 90s sitcom, they gathered around in Sheldon and Leonard's apartment in The Big Bang Theory.

TBBT also borrows many character tropes from the OG sitcom, like the lead pairing of Penny and Leonard, who are likely inspired by Ross and Rachel. Both Penny and Rachel are bad waitresses, wanting to do something else in their lives. The geeks in the group, Leonard and Ross, fall in love with them when they join their friend group.

Another character trope similar to both shows is the 'gay best friend trope,' embodied by Chandler-Joey in Friends and Howard-Raj in The Big Bang Theory. The duo is inseparable in both sitcoms and is often mistaken as gay by other friends/people.

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Other small similarities between TBBT and Friends according to Reddit fans

While the thematic and character similarities mentioned above are right on top, Reddit fans have also noticed many small similarities between both shows.

Reddit user u/datascientist6 notes this detail about both the show's recurring side character, who coincidentally owns one of the gang's hangout spots:

''Gunther is a side character owning the coffee shop. Stuart is a side character owning the comic book store.''

Another similarity noted by, u/Prior-Resident-3528, is a feline song in both shows:

''Another similarity on BBT and Friends was that Penny and Phoebe had cat 🐈 songs.''

Reddit user u/Loud-Organization-14 also noted this similarity when one of the characters almost gets overwhelmed with the change happening around them, which was again, similar to both The Big Bang Theory and Friends:

''Did anyone see the similarity between, Joey freaking out last episode because EVERYTHING was changing, Monica and chandler moving, Rachael moving to Paris etc., then sheldon freaking out last episode because his wife got a makeover and getting Nobel is such a change?''

''Stewart getting a spray tan for a date that goes bad and Ross getting a spray tan for a date that goes bad'' u/CleverClockss notes

And finally, u/Rosemoorstreet, rightfully captures the similar essence of both sitcoms:

''BBT follows Friends in a lot of ways. 20-30 year olds with mommy or daddy issues hanging out together constantly, mostly in one of the apartments. Boy marries girl from across the hall. Constant undertones of one of the guys being gay. Don’t forget the rich one’s parents (father is a big time doctor)cutting them off and later getting divorced.''

Also Read: 7 similarities between Friends and How I Met Your Mother

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