All 12 Big Bang Theory Seasons, Ranked by How Much Critics Hated Them

The Big Bang Theory is a hit show on CBS that premiered in 2007 and had a long run of 12 seasons. It became a fan favorite almost immediately, but not every season was equally loved by fans and critics.

As it turned out, the nerd-centric sitcom about a group of friends had critics arguing about the value of each season.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the least appreciated by fans was the first season. It got only 59% on the Tomatometer. For a first season, that's not too good.

But the reason for that is actually the new genre of sitcom that combines the friendship of specific people with their work humor and odd personality humor.

The Big Bang Theory show celebrates the physicist's theory that gave life to geeks and nerds everywhere.

The seasons together were ranked 67%, it's seasons 6, 8 and 9. Season 6 disappointed fans and critics for recycling the same storyline over and over again.

The season concentrated on Howar being in outer space, and the rest of the gang just doing something usual and nothing new. With Raj being constantly unlucky in love, it just made no sense to the fans.

The only good thing about season 8, as critics say, is the way the show handled the death of voice actress Carol Ann Susi, who played Howard's mother off-screen.

The rest of the show was the same – Sheldon and Amy arguing about how he is not ready for commitment and Raj falling in love with someone inappropriate again.

Season 9 was also considered somewhat dull by fans and critics.

Leonard and Penny's elopement was a catastrophic event that brought up some of their relationship issues and also highlighted the marital problems within the Hofstadter home.

Season 11 received a 75% rating, and was more likable. The show's reliance on traditional storylines of marriage and pregnancy seems to make it easier to watch.

And there was also an important point when Raj and Howard finally had a fight about Howard always picking on his Indian friend.

And the highlight of the season – Sheldon and Amy's wedding. Frankly, we thought this season would get a higher rating.

Season 4 got 80% on the Tomatometer. The show's popularity with critics may be due to its empowerment of women compared to later seasons.

Previously, Penny was the only major female character. The addition of Sheldon's girlfriend, Amy, and Howard's girlfriend, Bernadette, as series regulars not only increased the comedy in the show, but also gave Penny some real female friends.

Seasons 10 and 12 received 83% ratings. Season 12 in fact didn't get the highest ratings, but the critical acclaim proved that the show's ending was both heartwarming and rewarding.

Penny, who revealed that she never wanted children, becomes pregnant. Sheldon, with Amy by his side, wins the Nobel Prize he has always dreamed of.

Season 10 was famous for the life-changing experience for Leonard and Sheldon when they stopped being roommates for the first time in years.

Bernadette and Howard have their child on Amy's birthday, which also happens to be Amy and Sheldon's sexual anniversary.

And the absolute winners of the whole show are seasons 5, 7, 3 and 2. Season 5 finally moved Penny from being a sidekick to a front runner.

Howard gets married to Bernadette. Season 7 had a perfect balance of accomplishments between the characters. Season 3 finally gave us Leonard and Penny as a love couple, after a long will-they won't-they journey.

And season 2 introduced Leonard's mother, whose character became one of the most complicated and fascinating yet funny side characters of the show.

And a significant thing also happened in season two. Sheldon finally gives up his robotic lifestyle by giving Penny a hug at their holiday gift exchange.

No wonder this season received a perfect rating!

Source: Rotten Tomatoes