no mee maws were harmed in the writing of this post

Walking into the stage this morning felt very different than last time. I knew where to go, I knew who to look for, and my stomach butterflies were pure excitement, without the nerves I had during The Creepy Candy Coating Corollary.

From the moment I parked my car, I felt like I'd come back … well, not home, exactly, but back to camp, or back to school, I guess. There's a story about that on today's Radio Free Burrito 23, which I just released; it's only 12 minutes long, and I think you should listen to it because I made it JUST FOR YOU. 

All day long, the cast and crew made me feel like I was part of their family who they didn't get to see very often, even though I've only been there once before. It was really neat to feel like they were as excited to have me back on the show as I was to be there. I really am a lucky guy.

It was a relaxed day, which I bet is nice for the regulars because they taped a show last night. We started with a table read of the episode (which was hilarious) and then spent the rest of the day running the episode. Just like last time, this is the part of the process where we're making very rough pencil sketches on a sketchpad; we haven't even begun to think about picking out paint and brushes for the final canvas … but that will happen very quickly, probably by the middle of the day tomorrow, because we only have seven working days to take this from a bunch of creative people sitting around a table reading it to an actual show that goes out to millions of people on the magic talking box thingy. 

…Wow, I just freaked myself out. It's better not to think of it that way. Quick, get the Men in Black flashy gizmo!

Ahh, that's better. So, I was talking about Ping Pong, right? Well, I didn't get to play a full game of Ping Pong today, but I got to rally with Kunal for a little bit, and I didn't feel like I was playing with duck's feet for hands and a coke bottle for a paddle, so I'm looking forward to providing the sort of challenge a speedbump gives a monster truck when we play a real game tomorrow.

I want to be exactly the right kind of evil when we rehearse tomorrow, so I'm off to work on Evil Wil Wheaton's scenes. Seriously, go listen to the Burrito. You'll be glad you did.

40 thoughts on “no mee maws were harmed in the writing of this post”

  1. I really can’t wait to see this episode, Wil… ever since the first one you were in, I was pretty sure we’d be seeing you again. Off to listen to RFB, THANKS!!

  3. Hey, I hope this episode will be named after the plot with Evil Wil Wheaton in, not the side plot like last time. Something like “The Cooper-Wheaton Collison”.
    Heh, I actually listened to RFB before seeing this because that was the order you announced them on twitter. 🙂

  6. Your RFB recountings of the day were great – very cool that you took the time to record ’em today. How can tBBT *not* want you back – it’s things like this that have me practically drooling for this episode, and the ones that lead up to it 🙂

  7. I loved the Big Bang Theory before you were on and now I love it more because you are on again.
    Can’t wait until it airs. Hurry Wil and get this show made.

  8. “Hi, I’m Wil Wheaton. I’m not an Evil Bastard, but I play one on TV…”
    Can’t wait to see the episode in a few weeks. Or to hear more of you and the PA guys rolling D20s.
    Ironic, no? That in all your dreams of being famous for playing the roles of others, the thing people love you the most for is just for being yourself. Pretty awesome.

  9. I just thought of something: If you had duck’s feet for hands (at least classic cartoon duck’s feet), you wouldn’t need a paddle to play Ping Pong. 😉

  10. Well, at least you didn’t park it in Sheldon’s spot. That would have been trouble city. =]
    Can’t wait for your episode to air! So, when are they gonna add you as a regular? Fingers crossed. =]
    The best to you, and have FUN!

  11. You’re like a little boy who’s just unwrapped the TIE Fighter you’ve been dreaming of on Xmas morning 1978 (or some such equivalent)

  12. Oh and Wil, by the by, there is a movement/collective getting started called “Reading an RPG book in Public week.” Should you have the time and inclination to look it up, that would be awesome. I’m not one of the organizers, but I thought you may be interested.

  13. So do they give you a schedule with your script so you know when to be where? Something like from noon to 1 pm Monday we’ll be shooting this scene, and you’re in it, so you’ll need to be there, but from 1pm to 4 pm the scenes have these actors in it, and from 4 pm to 6 pm it’s your scene again, etc?

  15. *sigh* you are giving @SmilingStanLee something big to live up to, you know. Seriously, I can’t wait to see this, but I don’t know if I should root for you or Sheldon….

  16. Yeah. There's a fairly reliable schedule that exists for every episode, but each day is a little different, depending on what scenes you're in, and when those scenes are being rehearsed.

  17. Wil,
    I am excited for you, knowing that you are having such a great time with the show.
    As I have intimated before, you are one of under-utilized talents in Hollywood and I find it gratifying that the situation is being corrected.

  18. Dude, you do realize you just described RFB when describing podcasts you love, right? If you sat down and recorded yourself reading a manual on how to replumb a toilet, hundreds (actually probably thousands) of people would listen to it not just because they’re looking for a cheap and easy way to install a new commode, but because you’re simply entertaining to listen to!

  20. Well aren’t you just sweet? Making a RFB podcast just for me. Now if only you could get my stupid iTunes feedburner link to work so that the episodes would download automatically, then I’d really feel special. Like the time you got my MotFcast feedburner link work kind of special. You know my ass is iTunes inept!
    Glad that you’re feeling more at ease this time around, I’m sure that everything will go just fine, but I must warn you, I’m totally rooting for Team Sheldon. I just have to be a dork and throw in a ridiculous Twilight reference because…well I really don’t need to explain myself to you. Never have before, so why start now? I have been keeping the ball-busting to a minimum, that much you have to admit, dude. Go work on Evil Wil and I’ll just keep on being Annoying Chick from Philly™ Light for you, deal?
    That being said…gooooooooooooo Team Sheldon! *geeksnortlaugh*

  21. Evil Wil Wheaton is the type of Evil that a person can get behind. I can’t wait to see what sort of part he plays in this second appearance of his.
    This instalment of Radio Free Burrito was excellent, by the way.

  22. I listened to RFB for the first time today. I have no idea why I haven’t listened to this before and I will be listening from now on (and catching up on what I’ve missed). As others have said, you totally fit your own description of interesting content.
    Also, I can relate to the part where you described getting in character. I’m in the female ensemble for our local (Pittsburgh Savoyards) production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado and the director wants us all to have some characterization so I have to find a character there. And I also have the squee factor of being “good enough” to perform in something I grew up loving. So, if you feel nerd quakes centered in the Pittsburgh, PA area, you know what it’s about. 😉
    P.S. I can’t wait to see a Sheldon v Wil Wheaton rematch on TBBT!

  23. That totally made me laugh. Out loud, even! He could always go with “Hi, I’m Wil Wheaton. I’m not a homeless crackhead with an affinity for a certain sweater, but I play one on TV.” Or “Hi, I’m Wil Wheaton. I’m not a homicidal maniac that kidnaps couples, beats the husbands mercilessly and make them watch me rape their wives repeatedly, but I play one on TV.” Really, any of the fucked up characters that he’s played on TV in the past couple of years would work with that speech. I like it. A lot.

  24. Wil, they actually didn’t tape last night. They’ve been on hiatus since last Thursday. Us at the tour dept are glad you’re back on the lot – we’re all huge Big Bang Theory fans and I’m a huge Star Trek:TGN fan. Have fun this week and break a leg at the taping!

  25. Ohhhh. Well, I did not know that and now I feel silly.
    I waved to a tour that drove past me while I was getting into my car this afternoon! Thanks for showing people what our weird world is like inside the walls.

  26. Wil, you should create an ‘Evil Wil Wheaton’ page on Facebook if for no other reason than to beat people to it. That and to share @dburns308 ‘s pic with the world who may not see RFB 23.

  28. I agree with @douglas boyle, I think you should go ‘method meta’ (TM) on this and create an evil wil wheaton twitter account as well then post ‘in character’ all week. 🙂
    bio: GET OFF MY LAWN!

  29. *laugh* That was awesome. This is the first time I’ve heard you mention Johnny Galecki, so it’s cool to hear that he’s as nice as the other cast members. Great story!
    Thanks for the other podcast recommendations. I am definitely feeling a podcast void, so I shall go fill it now.
    Put some velcro on the ball and his paddle. That’s what Evil Wil Wheaton would do…Mwa Ha Ha.

  31. Holy carp, that would be absolutely delightful! But alas, our old pal Wil here is bogged down with a shitload of other things to do. Still an awesome idea, though, he could insult my dead mee maws and everything!
    P.S. Goooooooooo Team Sheldon! lol

  32. well at least the president of the wil wheaton fan club could do it… right? ok i’ll admit i haven’t searched to see if there’s a fan club but the intertubes have everything. otherwise we’ll have to quickly nominate a president here in the comments. thus i nominate @CaptObtuse as he seems to be able to write in 140 chars; which might be the only real qualification and seems to understand the psyche of evil wil wheaton.

  37. Wil, any idea when the episode will air? Either way, I’ll watch it for sure (for the record, I’m on team Sheldon…).
    My parents, who are geeks, got me into BBT and it’s now one of my favorite TV shows. So glad that Evil Wil Wheaton is coming back to the show!

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