It started off as a way to show that geeks can have fun, too, but, after a decade on air, The Big Bang Theory has grown into one of the world’s most popular television sitcoms and looks set to capture the attention of comedy enthusiasts for several years to come.

As popular with DStv viewers across Africa, including Zimbabwe – as anywhere else, the show is now into its 11^th season, running on prime time on M-Net 102, with the premiere of each episode of season 11 on Wednesday nights at 7 pm.

Alongside it is the spin-off prequel Young Sheldon, which in its first season is already garnering critical acclaim and large audiences, and which is aired on M-Net 102 at 6.30pm on Wednesdays, just ahead of the older, related sitcom.

Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said The Big Bang Theory had captured a huge fan base in Zimbabwe, and Young Sheldon looked set to do the same.

“Zimbabweans enjoy the cracking pace of the show, with its exceptionally witty and sophisticated dialogue and very modern set of circumstances and situations, and we’re delighted that season 11 is proving a continued hit,” she said.

 “We’re equally pleased with the feedback from viewers about Young Sheldon and we feel sure this will turn into a long-running hit, too.”

 The Big Bang Theory was created by Chuck Lorre – previously successful with shows like Two and a Half Men – in partnership with Bill Prady.

The pair, along with fellow executive producer Steve Molaro, writes the show’s script, which is often described by critics as a modern masterpiece.

The show launched on American network CBS in September 2007 and has been a major hit since that time, with distribution across the world, including through DStv to Africa. In March 2017, the show was renewed for a further three seasons, meaning shows at least until the end of season 2019-2020.

It is currently in season 11, which launched on M-Net 102 in February and will run to 24 episodes, as with each of its forerunner seasons.

The show has since the start focused on the exploits of five main characters living in Pasadena, California – four of them male science boffins and the other an aspiring and attractive actress.

The men – Leonard Hofstadter, Sheldon Cooper, Howard Wolowitz and Raj Koothrapolli – are genuine geeks and face the problems of the world with determination, wit and a certain level of cynicism.

Penny, the original female lead, is bright, cheerful and constantly thwarted in her drive to achieve acting fame.

Young Sheldon grew from an idea of Jim Parsons, who plays the older Sheldon in TBBt and who has garnered a host of awards – including Golden Globes for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.

The scene of the series is Sheldon’s home in east Texas in the late 1980s, when he is nine years old and living as a child prodigy in a normal home.

Incidents and people spoken of by Sheldon in TBBT have been created within this series, which, unlike TBBT, is partially shot in external scenes and not solely in a TV studio format.

The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon are premiered each Wednesday between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on M-Net (channel 102). In addition, re-runs of seasons 1 to 10 of TBBT are featured regularly on Comedy Central (channel 122).