The Big Bang Theory featured several celebrity cameos throughout its 12-season run. One of the most memorable cameos came from comedian Bob Newhart, who brought his signature deadpan humor into the series. He played Professor Proton, who was a fictional TV science educator and Sheldon and Leonard’s childhood hero.
Newhart’s cameo extended to a total of six episodes in the sitcom. He went on to appear in the prequel series, Young Sheldon, in three episodes. However, Newhart revealed that he was concerned whether the studio audience would recognize him during his first appearance.
Bob Newhart Was Concerned That The Big Bang Theory Studio Audience Wouldn’t Recognize Him
Bob Newhart was a sensation in the ’60s and ’70s, starring in his own sitcom The Bob Newhart Show. Despite his several accomplishments as an actor, Newhart was not sure that fans would recognize him when he first appeared in The Big Bang Theory. The show had brought him on to play the role of a TV icon, Professor Proton.
Before TBBT, Newhart hadn’t appeared in a sitcom for longer than three episodes since George and Leo in 1997-98. He was obviously concerned whether the new-age fans would recognize him on the show. He revealed his fears during a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Newhart shared that he had conveyed his concern to series creator Chuck Lorre. He asked Lorre, the writers, and the director whether they were going to announce his appearance before taping the episode. He was nervous that the audience wouldn’t recognize him and his appearance would be greeted with complete silence. He shared with THR:
I asked Chuck [Lorre], the writers and our director if they were going to announce I’m in the show before the taping. I was a little nervous that the live audience wouldn’t recognize me and there would just be silence.
However, Lorre assured the comedian that the audience would definitely recognize him. Lorre was confident that Newhart’s legacy remains unforgotten even among the new-age audiences of TV comedy. The series creator’s words came true as Newhart received an overwhelming welcome upon his appearance.
Newhart shared, “Thankfully, they recognized me; they applauded and stood up. That was very nice.” His role in The Big Bang Theory earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. It was the actor’s first Emmy in his career.
Jim Parsons Recalled How The Standing Ovation on TBBT Set Was Emotional For Bob Newhart
Bob Newhart had a fun time working on The Big Bang Theory alongside Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, and Kaley Cuoco. Parsons shared Newhart’s first appearance as his favorite memory of working with the legend when asked by Parade. Parsons shared that Newhart cried at the standing ovation he received from the studio audience when he appeared on the show.
It was an emotional moment for all the actors on set as Parsons recalled. It was only at that moment that it hit Parsons how profound it was to work with Newhart after working with him all week at rehearsal. Parsons shared with Parade:
The night we taped the first scene he ever did with us, he appeared in the hallway and the show stopped—just completely stopped—from the standing ovation the live audience gave him. He cried. I think we all cried.
It was profound, and I realized how much I’d been stuffing down my knowledge of how profound it was to work with Bob all week at rehearsal, because who the hell can do good work while saying, ‘I can’t f–king believe I’m working with Bob Newhart!’ in your head the whole time? No one. But the dam broke in that moment.
Johnny Galecki also revealed in an interview with THR that the actor started crying when the DJ played the theme song from his old show after the audience’s standing ovation. Newhart’s emotional moment also teared up Galecki and the other stars. Besides Newhart, the show kept bringing other celebrities in cameo roles.
The Big Bang Theory is now available for streaming on Max.
