Thursday TV Tournament: Match-up 13 Results

Today's match-up is between third seed, Big Bang Theory Season Four, Episode Eighteen, "The Prestidigitation Approximation," which aired March 10, 2011, and thirtieth seed, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season Six, Episode One, "Mac Fights Gay Marriage," which aired September 16, 2010. The results are in:

I believe that's what they call a shut-out. Though Big Bang Theory filled the top five seeds according to its popularity in the ratings, not one of those seeds managed to move on to the second round. Thrice was it defeated by FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and twice by NBC's Community. This has taught me two things: 1. The ratings certainly do not reflect the quality of the programming, and 2. Big Bang Theory has had a free-ride for so long that they no longer deliver strong comedy like during their first couple of seasons. I have derived two hopes from my findings: 1. that the masses will flock to smart and interesting programs rather than comfortable and bland comedies, and 2. that Big Bang Theory will pick up some momentum in the upcoming season, justifying its renewal.

Tune in next time for fourteenth seed, 30 Rock Season Five, Episode Three, "Let's Stay Together," which aired October 7, 2010, and nineteenth seed, Community Season Two, Episode One, "Anthropology 101," which aired September 23, 2010. The first round has almost come to an end. Be here for the last three picks.