I'm at w00tstock right now, and I haven't even seen the show, but I thought it would be fun to write a post in advance so anyone who watched The Big Bang Theory tonight would have a place to talk about it. If everything goes according to plan, this should post right as the episode is finishing on in the Eastern time zone.
When I get home, and I have the time near the end of the week, I have a bunch of notes from the production to transcribe, to give a fuller behind-the-scenes picture for anyone who is interested. Until then, though, two things:
First of all, for anyone who is wondering, the show's art department made actual cards with actual graphics and rules on them, and we all spent a fair amount of time making up some logical rules to go with the Mystic Warlords of Ka'a. As far as I know, there aren't official rules or an official card set, but I'm sure someone will create one within a couple of weeks if the show doesn't. (Oh please, oh please.)
When he first talked to me about working on the show, Bill Prady told me that I'd be playing a "delightfully evil version" of myself. This sounded like a lot of fun to me, but it was more difficult to find that character than you'd think. When I'm playing Fawkes on The Guild it's easy to slip into his kilt and be a jerk, but wearing my own clothes and essentially playing a stylized version of myself made it a real challenge to hit "delightfully evil" without veering into "not committed to being delightfully evil" or "just plain evil." Keeping that twinkle in my eye, and knowing that Wil Wheaton (The Big Bang Version) is planning to scam Sheldon from the moment he sits down, was essential to this particular characterization working out, and I didn't completely find it until we'd run the episode a couple of times.
During one of the run throughs, when Jim did his Klingon bit, I turned to Kevin and asked him, "Did he just say 'revenge is a dish best served cold' in Klingon?" like I was trying to figure out if that's actually what happened, like maybe I misunderstood him. Chuck Lorre told me that it would be funnier if I was more exasperated. "You're just here to play this game, and now some guy is quoting Klingon at you. This happens everywhere you go," he said.
I sighed dramatically, and said, "Oh, it does." Everyone laughed, hard, and Chuck pointed his finger at me. "Yes. That is exactly the way to play that beat."
When Chuck gave me that note, I grokked how to play Evil Wil Wheaton (The Big Bang Theory version), and I could see the comedy in every beat I played for the rest of the show. I totally grew a level in comedy acting, and learned something about letting go of who I really am, so I could embrace the Delightfully Evil version of myself (who I seriously hope will return in the future, because OMG was it fun to play him.)
Wil Wheaton, the angle shooter… you’d better not try that crap at the poker table Wheaton!
Ooh! That would be fun, wouldn’t it? Wil could play Newman to Sheldon’s Jerry. Damn, it just occurred to me that even though I’ve been watching the show since its first episode and think it’s funny all on its own, after watching it tonight it’s as if Wil was the missing component or something to that effect. Another guest appearance would definitely be awesome. It’s just such a great show, and everyone involved in it does a spectacular job, which is what makes it such a great show.
“Game over. Moonpie.” GREAT delivery!!!!
“Game over, Moonpie!” Hilarious!! Can’t wait to hear the rest of the behind-the-scenes scoop, Wil!
I know you’ve heard this before…I had such a crush on you when I was a kid. Posters on my wall…I was so “geeked” out on you LOL
Evil Wil Wheaton is evil. Douche…poor Sheldon…
My husband is laughing at me for all of the “geekery and tittering” I did when you appeared on the screen. Shut up. I still get weak in the knees when I see that grey sweater *sigh* LMAO
The funniest part of the show was hearing Jim Parsons yell “Silence!” twice.
But that was fun, Wil.
And the best part is that the episode leaves the door open for a future rematch between Sheldon and Evil Wil Wheaton.
I don’t think I can say it any better than it’s already been said…but, I can add: I miss seeing Wil on T.V.(not counting TNG reruns)
Though my first thought after the Klingon utterance was,” does he know klingon?” Not because you were on TNG, but ’cause’ you’re a fellow geek.Either way, t’was great!
Fruit fucker FTW!
I was hoping for more Wheatony goodness, but it was a very good episode. And they totally left it open for a return of that alternate universe Wil Wheaton (good for us viewers).
Oh, I also wanted more of the Greatest American Hero (well, that’s the first shirt Sheldon was wearing).
Nana would indeed be proud 🙂
You know how you’re absolutely certain of what you know… until about 5 milliseconds after you hit the “post” button. Now I’m fearing that Sheldon’s shirt was actually one of the comics characters I’m less familiar with, and that all my geek cred has been blown to hell with one rotten post.
But the main point was: good appearance of the bad Wil Wheaton.
Even though I’ve never watched the series, I DVRed the episode to see what you’ve been geeking about (and to watch you, of course). And now, my DVR is set to tape every single episode from now on. Thank you for introducing me to such a hilarious program. And, kudos to you for introducing us to “Evil Wil Wheaton”. WWWHHHEEAATTTTONNN!
“Mee Maw” died huh?? I laughed from start to finish tonight. GREAT stess relief for a Monday! I knew something was up by your face…I was like he isn’t just going to give in THAT easy is he?! You and Sheldon are just perfect together…I mean perfect! Why don’t they go ahead and cast you as a regular??? You were awesome my friend! Congrats times a hundred! No wonder I have been a fan of yours FOREVER!!
P.S. How on earth did you manage to keep from laughing??? That is one thing I would have SO much trouble doing on a show like BBT. Thumbs up Wil:D
“He task me”…HAHAHA:)
You Betrayed Me, Wil Wheaton!!! That shall be my new motto for stupid people at work.
That was a good way to spend a half hour. More Evil Wil Wheaton, please.
Awesome. Really enjoyed the episode.
Mark Mosher
markmosher.com
Great episode! I’ve loved Big Bang since episode 1, but this was easily one of the best eps of the series. I hope you get an opportunity to come back again and interact with the rest of the cast as well.
“..who I seriously hope will return in the future, because OMG was it fun to play him.”
This is how it begins.
The problem I’m having: how do we know which Wil is the evil one? Neither of you have goatees… you both have beards! That’s not fair! 🙂
Sir, you rocked.
I would just like to say that “bafuckinrilliant” is the best word ever. Thank you.
Also, I just tweeted it, with credit to you, in this context.
No, you, sir or madam, are quite correct. Sheldon’s first shirt was, in fact, a Greatest American Hero shirt. I, too, would love to see more. Rumor is there might be a movie, believe it or not.
Oh, Lord. I didn’t do that on purpose, honest.
But I’m so owning it. That’s right. I said it. Believe it or not…I’m walkin on air!
That was an awesome episode. The interaction between Evil Wil and Sheldon was priceless. The missus and I would definitely love to see you back as a recurring character!
Just got into BBT recently but loved tonight’s episode – even my wife, who has been lukewarm on the series but sits through it when I’m watching it enjoyed it – especially the Fruit Fucker shirt…Evil Wil (eWil?) would make an awesome, awesome addition to the show…
Parsons + Wheaton = Geek Comedy OTP.
The end.
I loved this episode. I couldn’t stop laughing all the way through, except when Evil Wil talked about his grandma. I really love Johnny Galecki and thought he was hilarious. Also, the Klingon line you decoded great.
Like everyone else, I hope to see more of Evil Wil and I look forward to your notes.
I especially enjoyed the Fruit Fucker shirt. Hilarious.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the episode.
I agree with quite a few people here; a recurring Wil Wheaton character on TBBT would be great. A lot of successful shows had a famous person on the show as a recurring character (think Mel Torme on Night Court, for example), so why not Wil Wheaton as Sheldon’s nemesis on TBBT?
Oh my gosh! That’s what I call TBBT–The Sheldon Show! I wouldn’t want a spinoff, but he makes the show. 🙂
An excellent episode, I hope to see the return of Evil Wil Wheaton soon!
Dude in this episode you were Wil “FUCKING” Wheaton. I need to turn the Don’t be a Dick t-shirt around and write in unless you are on Big Bang as the anti-Wil.
Nice, I think you cranked it up a notch for this one. Hell one day you may even get a regular gig on a sci-fi show. I picture you in the big chair on some flagship somewhere showing the young ensign the ropes, because you know the straight dope and the ensign is just out of school and needs to be schooled by Wil why-is-there-a-fucking-kid-on-my-bridge Captain Wheaton. JK.
Nicely done. Salute.
Loved the episode. Great guest starring role, and you PWND it right down to the “twinkle in the eye” then…. BAM… Big Bang Theory’s version of Wil Wheaton 😀
I’d pay to see the blooper reel from that episode!
Tonight’s Big Bang ROCKED!!!
I did not see that coming. I was so shocked that Sheldon might even consider throwing a game that I hadn’t even conceived of an “Evil Wil”.
Totally blew me away. AWESOME!
I look forward to Evil Wil vs. Sheldon part 2! Well at least I can hope for a part 2.
The episode was fun, but c’mon, setting DixieTrek in Jackson, MS? I wonder how many southern fans went “HEY!” right about then, since DT was always an Atlanta convention… 🙂
Awesome ep. Nicely done. 🙂
Just fantastic! And I love how Evil Wil Wheaton can translate Klingon and still judge Sheldon for using it. Definitely the best episode of the season to date.
As soon as I saw the Fruit Fucker shirt, I knew we were dealing with Evil Wil. Nice touch, that.
Just an awesome appearance Wil! Laughed my arse off! 😀 Can’t BELIEVE you wore a FruitFucker shirt! That alone made me blast cola out my right nostril!
I hope EvilWil makes another appearance! Seeing Sheldon’s brain melt just rocked. 😀 Congrats!!!!
Full of win.
My son and I are still wiping our eyes and gasping…that was GREAT!! That show brings back scary memories of weekend-long D&D games at our place. Who do we write to so you can get another run at Sheldon?
My mom asked me after the episode if that was really that guy who played that character. I told her yes mom, that’s really him and he’s been bloging about it for months now.
Game over, moon pie!
Adored the episode…here’s hoping for the recurring role!
I am also not one who usually watches TBBT; however, I had this one setup as a “jump to” point on my cable box tonight. Unfortunately, House was pre-empted by the ALCS, so my wife commandeered the good TV. Oh, well … at least I still got to watch it.
Let me say that even in standard definition, you were brilliant! When I got to work this evening, I read this post and just started the LOL fest as I recalled your appearance. Yes, you were so the dick tonight on there. Too bad Sheldon didn’t have points in Betazed, as he totally failed that DC!
Right after the episode, I tweeted the final line (“WHEATONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!”), which also was posted to my Facebook account. My wife’s response: “My husband is such a nerd.” I need to correct her … I’m a geek 🙂
I saw that myself and nearly had a nerdgasm. I loved that show back in the day.
Thank you to Wabbit89 and Russell for making me not feel a total geek by noticing the “Greatest American Hero” shirt!
…The evil twin version of you. Nice. My favorite was the moon pie line. I completely missed the shirt everyone is talking about. Oh well. Do it again!
No problem, my man! 🙂 Wonder where they got his and if they carry it in larger (3X) sizes?
Just caught the ep Wil, and it was absolutely hilarious. Only complaint I have is I was hoping you’d have more screen time. Here’s hoping you become a reoccurring role as Sheldon’s nemesis.
So great Wil! Loved it! Poor Sheldon.