TMC
02-22-2022, 08:37 PM
https://www.looper.com/776218/big-bang-theorys-mayim-bialik-addresses-one-of-the-shows-biggest-critiques/
Bernadette's high voice doesn't fit the traditional image of a scientist, and that's a good thing
Bernadette Rostenkowski (Melissa Rauch), introduced in Season 3, has several key characteristics: her love for Howard (https://www.looper.com/733772/the-big-bang-theory-the-worst-part-of-howard-and-bernadettes-relationship/) (Simon Helberg), a penchant for controlling behavior, and a noticeably high speaking voice. Some longtime "Big Bang Theory" viewers are not fans of her voice and have argued that it's simply annoying (via Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/bigbangtheory/comments/lcc2q/bernadette_should_lose_her_high_pitch_voice/)). However, Mayim Bialik, who played Amy Farrah Fowler on the sitcom, recently spoke up in defense of Rauch's performance on the podcast TV's Top 5 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mayim-bialik-talks-jeopardy-jason-katims-on-amazons/id1438063915?i=1000550058043).
Bialik commented while guesting on the podcast that one of the reasons for Bernadette's high pitch is representation: "She played ... a molecular biologist type. And I think it's really important to point out that women with 'voices' like the voice that Melissa would put on, that's not a voice you would normally associate with 'That's a scientist woman.'"
The "Jeopardy!" host herself is a neuroscientist (via NPR (https://www.npr.org/2018/05/12/610500646/not-my-job-mayim-bialik-of-big-bang-theory-gets-quizzed-on-big-bangs)), so it makes sense that she'd want better representation of female scientists on-screen. Bernadette serves as a good example of how professionals in "geekier" fields don't have to fit into the stereotypes to succeed.
Bernadette's high voice doesn't fit the traditional image of a scientist, and that's a good thing
Bernadette Rostenkowski (Melissa Rauch), introduced in Season 3, has several key characteristics: her love for Howard (https://www.looper.com/733772/the-big-bang-theory-the-worst-part-of-howard-and-bernadettes-relationship/) (Simon Helberg), a penchant for controlling behavior, and a noticeably high speaking voice. Some longtime "Big Bang Theory" viewers are not fans of her voice and have argued that it's simply annoying (via Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/bigbangtheory/comments/lcc2q/bernadette_should_lose_her_high_pitch_voice/)). However, Mayim Bialik, who played Amy Farrah Fowler on the sitcom, recently spoke up in defense of Rauch's performance on the podcast TV's Top 5 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mayim-bialik-talks-jeopardy-jason-katims-on-amazons/id1438063915?i=1000550058043).
Bialik commented while guesting on the podcast that one of the reasons for Bernadette's high pitch is representation: "She played ... a molecular biologist type. And I think it's really important to point out that women with 'voices' like the voice that Melissa would put on, that's not a voice you would normally associate with 'That's a scientist woman.'"
The "Jeopardy!" host herself is a neuroscientist (via NPR (https://www.npr.org/2018/05/12/610500646/not-my-job-mayim-bialik-of-big-bang-theory-gets-quizzed-on-big-bangs)), so it makes sense that she'd want better representation of female scientists on-screen. Bernadette serves as a good example of how professionals in "geekier" fields don't have to fit into the stereotypes to succeed.