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To be fair, it's a definite truth that shows get more chance of funding based on what is popular and how it fits into that perceived potential popularity.

So TBBT is a part of the overall zeitgeist, an example of a show of its type that was very successful.

You bet if a sci-fi show was number 1, than other sci-fi shows would be being made and better funded.

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What is sad is that popular comedy shows on Netflix and elsewhere are old network shows.

America doesn't know how to make comedy anymore. I blame Twitter.

Uk is going through a comedy golden age last decades. I attribute it to bbc doing an excellent job giving chances to younger comedians on gameshows like mock the week, qi, 9 out of 10 cats, im sorry i havent a clue etc... as well as the prominence of edinburgh fringe

I think this sort of talent development really is just about giving chances to new folks, its the risk averse large networks only re-hiring the same older folks that stifles an artistic sector, be it movies, shows, music, games, comedy etc

I don't see anything on Netflix that is trying to compete with TBBT, which is a CBS show firmly targeted at Middle America.

If anything, Netflix comedies are the opposite of TBBT, there's no audience laughter, it's all single-camera like Arrested Development, The Office and other 2000s-era neo-sitcoms.

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