re: Why does "How I met.." get love, but "The Big Bang..." gets hate?

Dang. Made it through this entire thread. Some good well spoken discussions from various points of view.

After reading everyone's opinions, I think what it comes down to is just that - they are our opinions. And as such the discussion can never be definitively settled one way or the other because we're not talking definitive facts which can be ascertained one way or the other.

Another thing that strikes me is the different opinions seem to be based to a very large extent on what we each bring the table (I want to say the baggage we bring, but don't mean it in a negative way)

As someone who was a geek way before it was cool to be one, I love Big Bang Theory. It's really the only show that my entire family watches and enjoys together.

I just don't see the comic book stuff, science fiction stuff, etc. as window dressing the way some do. It seems to be an inherent part of the show to me and I get the references and I enjoy them.

I also don't view the show as mean spirited towards the characters. Sure they all have their quirks but, with the possible exception of Sheldon (more about him below) they all enjoy each other's company and are there for each other for the most part. Certainly no one is treated like Meg is from Family Guy.

And as to Sheldon, I would disagree that he is static. He understands his social problems. At times he strives to conform to social conventions even though they don't come naturally to him. He went out of his way to keep Leonard as a friend and roommate when they were about to part ways. He is obviously attuned to the fact that he is "different" as is shown by his occasional statement that "my mom had me tested". He has negotiated some semblence of a relationship with Amy inspite of his discomfort in putting himself out there in that manner. He went from"a girl who is my friend" to "girlfriend" and heck, in just the last couple of episodes he acknowledged to his friends that the prospect of physical intimacy with Amy was there while also acknowledging that it was likely some ways off and admitted how long it takes him to work up to things like even holding hands, etc.