Chuck Lorre Not Happy with a Blatant Ripoff of His BBT - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-09-2010, 11:11 PM

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/

Marvo301 · 02-09-2010, 11:25 PM

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.

robyrob · 02-10-2010, 10:09 PM

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

TeeVeeCloset · 02-11-2010, 10:42 AM

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.

spunkygirl · 02-11-2010, 12:03 PM

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

TV Knowledge Fan · 02-14-2010, 01:18 AM

...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.

yankeesrj12 · 02-14-2010, 01:44 AM

Wow, you have to be kidding me!

TV Knowledge Fan · 02-14-2010, 05:07 AM

...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.

02-09-2010, 11:11 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Chuck Lorre Not Happy with a Blatant Ripoff of His BBT 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/ Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-10-2010, 10:09 PM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,200	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
	__________________ * firefox * AdAware * HiJackThis * CoolWebShredder * Spybot * SpywareBlaster * Spyware Terminator * * GeeksToGo * AntiVir * Avast antivirus * Housecall Online * Sysinternals Security Utilities * * ZoneAlarm * Agnitum-firewall * Comodo Firewall * AVG Anti-Rootkit * RootkitRevealer * ParasiteCheck * * Annoyances * FreeCodecs * Mikes-Hosts-File * GRC.com * MSAntispyware * DVD's * TradeList * myspace *

02-11-2010, 10:42 AM	#4
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	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.
	__________________ Living near "Ozzie Nelson Drive".....

02-14-2010, 01:18 AM	#6
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	At least Mr. Lorre has a sense of humor about all this... ...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.

02-14-2010, 05:07 AM	#8
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	If you're referring to Kelly Ripa, 'yankeesrj'.... ...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.

02-09-2010, 11:25 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	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.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-11-2010, 12:03 PM	#5
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	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

02-14-2010, 01:44 AM	#7
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	Wow, you have to be kidding me!