It’s kind of a funny story how I got into The Big Bang Theory. When the show first premiered, I told myself that I would follow Kaley Cuoco from 8 Simple Rules and Charmed to The Big Bang Theory. But the show never made it to my incredibly large list of Monday night television. Then, at San Diego Comic Con, I sat through The Big Bang Theory panel in order to be front row and center for a number of panels taking place afterwords in that same room. Their panel took place after Season 1 had aired and Season 2 was on its way. I immediately fell in love with the cast and the show and knew that I had to stop putting this show off. So I caught up in time for Season 2 and made sure to attend the next Big Bang panel at Comic Con as a fan. This took place after season 2 had aired and Season 3 was on its way. Now, The Complete Third Season is on DVD, so I have 23 more hilarious episodes to keep me company until the Season 4 premiere this Thursday night!

Release Date: September 14, 2010
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 472 minutes

Worlds collide in Season 3! A love affair with Penny has opened a big, wide, wonderful world of romance for Leonard. But Sheldon likes the world just the way it was, thank you. All of which makes for a zany comic triangle with brainy, clueless Sheldon and practical, grounded Penny hilariously vying for the role of hypotenuse. This complete 2-Disc, 23-Episode Season 3 Set also features Raj, Howard, tattoos, football, awkward dates, jail time, Stan Lee, a The Lord of the Rings ring and all the fun of a series that only gets better. The Big Bang Theory “has transformed from a cute comedy about eggheads and their hottie neighbor into an addictive ensemble piece that could be this decade’s answer to Friends” (Lynette Rice, Entertainment Weekly).

The third season of The Big Bang Theory was some of the best comedy of the 2009 – 2010 television season. There is never a dull moment on this show and I am so happy to say that I have really come to love every single character. When I first began watching the show, I thought that Big Bang was the smartest and most clever comedy writing on television in quite some time…but I was turned off by the laugh track.

Once I got past this element (it took awhile), I was able to laugh along more easily and fall so hard and so fast for the show. I absolutely loved that there was more interaction between Penny and Sheldon alone this season. Those scenes are by far my favorite scenes of the season. It is amazing how far this friendship has grown since season one. I wasn’t too crazy about Leonard and Penny finally being together only to break up and attempt to move on towards the end of the season. It would have been nice to have the two as a couple for an entire season before breaking them up. Though what’s done is done and if the two hadn’t broken up at the time that they did, episodes 21 and 23 wouldn’t be what they are…and I love those episodes!

There actually seemed to be more stand out episodes like “The Precious Fragmentation” as opposed to an entire season of 23 unforgettable episodes. Another favorite episode includes, the fun flashback, “The Staircase Implementation” which shows when Leonard met Sheldon! Aside from some pretty spectacular stand out episodes, there were also a number of talented guest stars this season. Sara Gilbert is always a delight to see on the show. All of the guest stars this season were very, very smart choices. Some of those guest stars include Stan Lee, Wil Wheaton, Christine Baranski, Laurie Metcalf, Mayim Bialik, Katee Sackhoff, Danica McKellar, and Judy Greer. Overall, this was a highly entertaining season and you’ll find something new to laugh at after each viewing. The special features are also quite fun, however there is no commentary which was quite disappointing. Maybe next time.

Special Features:

Takeout with the Cast of The Big Bang Theory (10:23 minutes) – The cast sits in the living room of Sheldon and Leonard’s apartment to discuss their favorite season 3 moments. The chinese food on the table sits there more as a prop than anything else. The questions that the cast answer are on fortune cookie pieces of paper. With or without the chinese food in the picture, the cast is relaxed and have a fun time looking back on Season 3. There is talk of working with Katee Sackhoff and Wil Wheaton. The guys talk about the funny story behind their beards in the season premiere, as well as the dynamic between both Sheldon and Leonard’s mothers. Kunal picks out his favorite costume and seeing a quick montage of his costumes will give you quite a chuckle. Kaley talks about her toughest line, horses, and her favorite Penny moment (which is actually in Season 2). Overall, this was a very interesting feature that will leave you wanting to gather around your fellow Big Bang friends to discuss your favorite Season 3 moments.

Set Tour with Simon and Kunal (7:39 minutes) – Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg lead viewers around the set of Big Bang, even bumping into Johnny Galecki and director, Mark Cendrowski along the way. The two first visit Sheldon & Leonard’s apartment and then make their way to Penny’s apartment. I did not expect to laugh, but found myself doing just that when I saw the connection that Kunal had with Penny’s teddy bear. The guys also visit the Cheesecake Factory and University Cafeteria before heading to the wardrobe closets. Co-producer/costume designer, Mary T. Quigley makes an appearance but she remains tight lipped about the meaning behind Howard’s alien pins. Overall, this was a fun feature to watch though I am still not 100% sure how the sets are lined up from left to right and if any of the sets are partial view to none for the audience members. It is still were the watch. Kunal and Simon throw out some technical jargon, so you’ll definitely learn a thing or two about what goes on in between takes (hot set) and while filming (the person with no lines makes the refrigerator their home). This feature is worth a watch.

Gag Reel (7:49 minutes) – What a fun gag reel this is to watch! The reel mainly consists of the cast members forgetting their lines but the major laughs come when Kaley misses her cue and on a different occasion curses in her line at the most inappropriate time. There’s a lot to laugh at in this feature…no Big Bang fan will be disappointed.

The Big Bang Theory Season 4 premieres Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 8/7c on CBS.

Own The Big Bang Theory The Complete Third Season on DVD today.