Big Bang Theory
Has anyone watched a TV show called the Big Bang Theory? Awesome sitcom. Sheldon Cooper is a stereotypical Aspie, even though he is never actually referred to as Autistic, Aspie, etc. He can't read facial cues or sarcasm, is very particular about any changes in his daily routine, is inflexible and feels a need to be in control all the time, knows facts about everything, doesn't show much emotion, doesn't touch people, uses computers and tech all the time, and has tried to invent a scientific formula for how to make friends. He has a roommate and some other friends, and they all work together as scientists at a university in southern Cal. I have seasons 1 and 2 on DVD and season 3 is on TV now (CBS in the USA). They are all considered "nerds" or "geeks" but Sheldon is the Aspiest of all of them!
Many spectrumites I know love this show!!! 
I love Big Bang Theory! All the characters are great, but I have a crush on Sheldon!
"...many of the NTs who watch that show are probably just laughing at us."
And that, I think, is the biggest reason why none of the creators will come out and officially say that Sheldon is on the autism spectrum. Because it's OK to laugh at someone who is only annoying socially inept, but could we really laugh at someone with a genuine condition ("disability"?) that makes him the way he is?
(of course, we all know the truth anyway ;) )
By the way, I'm a big fan of TBBT. I read an interview with Jim Parsons where he talked about reading John Robison's "Look Me In The Eye" and made a lot of connections to his character.
I just love this show! It makes me laugh more than any other. I identify so much with Sheldon sometimes, it's amazing.
He may be a bit exaggerated, but I still enjoy it.
Hey, Outoutout, I appreciate what you've said about how maybe if Sheldon's ASD were explicitly known, the show might seem to lose its permission to have us laugh at his antics. I don't think it's that NTs who watch the show want to laugh at us because they're mean; rather I think it may be that as you suggested, they would feel awkward laughing knowing that Sheldon can't help it sometimes. Those of us with autism or other disabilities in our families know that disability can be hilarious! We laugh WITH each other- not AT each other. Sheldon's friends are actually pretty awesome. They intuitively make accomodations for him (like letting him have his spot on the couch) all the time- not only because it's easier than battling him, but because they accept it as one of his quirks. There is a real maturity about how the characters on the show deal with each other. Sure, there's razzing about who can't get a girlfriend, or who will never leave his mother's house, but that's what guys do. Everybody's s**t stinks.
There is a real opportunity through that show for America to have a dialog about disability if Sheldon were to be officially diagnosed. America might come to the conclusion that all the characters in that show seem to have reached already:
People are people. We're all different, and it's cool.
Maybe then the pc crowd could relax. We could all laugh WITH Sheldon, not AT him.
Bazinga.
I love that show! I wish I had a Sheldon.
I can totally relate to Sheldon at times which I feel makes it twice as funny.
Hey Lori,
I wish I had a Sheldon too! How does one go about getting a Sheldon?
I love Big Bang Theory, I watch it religiously. It's so funny Sheldon reminds me of a cross between my two sons when they get older. :)
"There is a real opportunity through that show for America to have a dialog about disability if Sheldon were to be officially diagnosed. America might come to the conclusion that all the characters in that show seem to have reached already:
"People are people. We're all different, and it's cool.
It's a nice thought, but seeing as that America (and the rest of the world) still has yet to come to that conclusion about other TV dialogues we've had - race, sexuality, gender equality, etc - I somehow doubt it. At least for the moment.
BTW, last week's episode was awesome! "Don't trust Wil Wheaton, he played the dead Mee-Maw card." 
My very very NT friend forced me to watch an episode with her housemates last week. They're actually all very NT. It was really funny because they all know I have Asperger's and my friend told her housemates Sheldon did too. They were watching the show and going "but you don't do that - oh wait, yes you do...".
Afterwards they asked all about Asperger's and why someone would do those things etc. It was actually a really good discussion because 2 of them have just graduated from teaching degrees and are likely to have students with ASDs. We've had some interesting discussions at their house since the episode.
Bonus is, I found another show I enjoy!
I agree with everyone above! I WANT A SHELDON! (or a Spock would do too!)
Hey Lori,
I wish I had a Sheldon too! How does one go about getting a Sheldon?
Haha. No one else can get a Sheldon because you put them all in your post :) Perhaps some honey coated neutrinos would attract some more.
Hey, Diamond Dragon. I love that show, too. I think that Sheldon is portrayed sympathetically as a kind of lovable loser, but as all of them are nerds and losers, it's ok.
Something makes me sad about that show, though. My Mom had on the Early Show one day, and the guy who plays Sheldon was being interviewed by Harry Smith, who I always though seemed nice. Harry Smith said, in a knowing voice, something to the effect that he was glad that Sheldon was just a character, and he was glad that that actor wasn't really like that because someone like Sheldon isn't really someone you'd like to know. It kinda bummed me out because I realized that many of the NTs who watch that show are probably just laughing at us.