Chuck Lorre has used the vanity cards at the end of his shows for a variety of purposes: complaining about CBS, commenting on racial politics, explaining science, and last night, he used a card to call out a Belarusian version of The Big Bang Theory.

According to the card, “…Belarus does have a bustling TV production industry. One of their most recent hits is a sitcom about four nerdy scientists who live next door to a beautiful blonde waitress. The characters are named Sheldon, Leo, Hovard, Raj and Natasha, and the show is entitled, The Theorists. Each episode begins with a rapid-fire montage of images which takes us from the dawn of time to the present moment. Keeping with that theme, the montage is scored with what is probably the worst piece of recorded pop music since the dawn of time. And finally, each episode appears to be a Russian translation of a Big Bang Theory episode.”

It’s also apparently unlicensed, and according to Lorre, “it’s next to impossible to sue for copyright infringement in Belarus because the TV production company that is ripping us off is owned and operated by the government of Belarus.”


http://www.ctv.by/proj/teoretiki/

Well they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But this just sounds like a blatant ripoff. It's too bad Mr. Lorre seems to have no legal recourse.

i feel sorry for the Belarusian viewers - that looks horrible and there's no way it could be even infinitesimally as good as the original

Is this a joke?? If not...where is Natasha? I am assuming the blonde waitress, in the first picture...5 are pictured, but they are all men??? None of the pictures show the female character.

That looks beyond horrible. Chuck Lorre is clearly the winner in this. He has a HIT series. That I can't see anyone watching without wanting to vomit ;)

...as witness the final sentences from "vanity card #277":

"I'm hoping that this vanity card will be read by the fine folks making The Theorists, and, wracked with guilt, they break down and send us some felt hats. The Kyrgyzstan version of Dharma & Greg already sent me some wallpaper paste".




I've seen the Turkish version of ABC's "HOPE & FAITH" several years ago, "BELALI BALDIZ" (that was properly authorized)- and even though I couldn't understand the language, it was much better than the original American edition....possibly because it didn't feature Kelly Ripa.

;)

Wow, you have to be kidding me!

...I'm not kidding. The Turkish actress (Nurgul Yesilcay) who played "Faith" on "BELALI BALDIZ", to me, was more satisfying in her role. There is so much of Ms. Ripa that can be termed- "overrated" ["oversaturation" is another]. I know you're a big fan of "HOPE & FAITH" (and Kelly), and there were some good things about it. But, as you've probably sensed by now, I'm "lukewarm" about her.


And by the way, "SHARK TANK" is off ABC's Friday night schedule for now. Repeats, though, are currently appearing on weekend afternoons.


:lookaroun