I love that this line has been immortalized in T-shirt form
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.)
You know, it occurs to me that some of you may have questions about what it was like to work on Big Bang Theory. If you leave them in the comments, I'll do my best to answer as many of them as I can today.
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Dog geek moment, Am Staffs ftw!
Hey Wil, this Q&A is awesome. I don’t have a question to ask, but I just wanted to say thanks for all the interesting responses.
Most questions I had have already been asked so here’s one not directly related to your role:
There’s a huge Captain Future poster in Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment (to the left of the entrance door) but so far I don’t think they’ve made reference to it. Do you know Edmond Hamilton’s pulps?
Wil,
It’s interesting that you were first turned off by the show’s premise. I was too; I’d pretty much dismissed it, until you were on. Since then I’ve had the DVR recording episodes. It’s really growing on me.
It has some of the usual dumb scientist cliches’ that set dressers can’t get away from, but it’s not too bad. I was pleased that Lenard’s optics lab contains an actual optics table and equipment. And the scientists don’t all wear lab coats, which is a relief.
One thing that’s really odd, though–they’re at a university, and no-one on the show ever talks about the students. Most of my social circle are students, and that’s a frequent topic of conversation.
Anyway, thanks for being on and getting me interested in the show, Wil. I’m really really enjoying it.
A lot of medical shows have in-house experts to keep the writing as accurate as possible. Does TBBT use in-house geeks to ensure similar accuracy?
That’s a cool shirt, but I prefer Enchanted Bunny:
http://www.zazzle.com/enchanted_bunny_tshirt-235235238779694384
Did you notice that on last night’s episode they threw in a CSI-parody shot of Penny infecting Sheldon? Nice visual joke, not overplayed; shows that they appreciate their audience’s wit.
Was there ever any discussion of what they would have done if you’d turned down the part? Unlikely as it was, they must’ve had a plan B, given the rigors of television production — would the whole episode have been scrapped? Or did they ‘test the waters’ with you beforehand?
That is the BEST show! It’s one of my top 3, I think. I have to admit I loved the Evil Wil episode in part on your behalf, but also because Sheldon is SO FUNNY in it.
I didn’t like BBT the first few episodes either. I felt like it was making fun of us as well.
Recently I’ve found it interesting that I can watch it with my sister who is either not a geek… or a new geek (that whole chic thing is kicking in) and she laughs at different parts. The show really does hit the main stream humor and the geek humor. We can both watch it together and think it is hilarious, but for different reasons.
Did you get to roam around all the sets and check out their cool toys? What were your favorite things on set?
Wry eye for the geek guy?
Oh god, I’m a horrible horrible nerd, because I’m going to point out the shirt’s Klingon spelling error. “blr” is not an acceptable consonant cluster in Klingon; the word should be “bIr” — they must have only seen it in a sans-serif font where L and I look the same.
I’m going to go die of shame now.
I met Wil Wheaton at a Star Trek Convention in 2008 and did act like a blabbering idiot. My husband was trying to get his “Just a Geek” book signed when suddenly I couldn’t control myself anymore and said to Wil, “You look just like you did on the show! Would you say a line for me?” He was nice and said, “Aye Captain”. Later when I read his book “Just a Geek”, I saw that he didn’t like it when people said that and realized that I’d “Geeked Out” (as he coined the phrase in his book).
So although he might not be able to say anything, here’s my blabbering idiot confession. Sorry, Wil!
The Morpheus and Death bookends from Sandman that were in the comic shop set made me squee when I saw them. There's also an old radio in the apartment set that would liven up any living room.
Moonpie was scripted. Sheldon has been saying that for quite some time, and I was delighted that I was given the opportunity to deliver that line the way I did.
Thanks for your kind words about Just a Geek. I will be at PAX East, because I've just been announced as the keynote speaker.
Oh, that's sweet, but I wouldn't pretend to be able to write as well as those guys any more than I'd pretend to play hockey like Gretzky.
I play, but I'm *horrible*. My son Nolan is quite a player, though. The next time I go watch a taping, I'm hoping he'll come with me to avenge some of my losses.
Just a congrats on being announced as Keynote Speaker at PAX East…I will be busy doing real life stuff but I am looking forward to seeing you again at PAX Prime…and hopefully on another episode of BBT!!!
All the time. I've learned to just take a deep breath, remember that we're peers, and just out myself as a huge fan right away, so it's out of the way.
I know that artwork, but I'm not familiar with the stories.
Okay, I give.
I guess BBT hit me the wrong way as a bit insulting when TiVo’d and watched the first episode along with Chuck. But Journeyman wasn’t insulting; I liked it and season passed it.
So which one gets cut?
The thing that got me was my perception (apparently incorrect) that this was just another show about “nerdy” or socially misfit tech people like me. Frankly, I’m just tired of it. It’s a stereotype. Prejudice in any form gets me very upset. And if anyone met me on a century bike ride “nerdy” would be the last thing you’d think. Maybe I was just in a bad mood that day but that’s how I took BBT and Chuck, as examples of prejudice.
That said, I think I should get a sense of humor. (But as you know, nerds don’t have them…) I want sci-fi, comedy, drama, et. al. that appeals to my intelligence and in no way talks down to me.
However, watching your episode, the first I’d watched since the very first episode, I really did find it funny and no longer condescending or offensive. It probably helped that my not-in-the-least-bit-nerdy wife watched it and loved it. I “got it” at least enough to help me find it enjoyable and funny.
So, can you address this, Wil? Specifically, why didn’t you have this type of reaction to the first BBT show you watched – or did you? Are there any recent shows you do have this type of negative reaction to and why?
That is amazing, and I am in awe. Those Klingon language learning cd roms I got when I was 12 years old had me in tears because the Klingon was so appropriately mean.
Yes. They have experts from a bunch of different fields, from comics to physics to sci-fi to gaming. In fact, their resident gaming expert and I had planned to play some sealed-deck Magic, but we never had time during my week on the show.
Oh, here's a funny thing: Sheldon had a line about the scale of his Wesley figure that was originally describing a taller figure (think one around 8" or 10") than the ones that existed back in the old days, which were closer to 5". I had to run through the stage to the monitors, apologize to the producers for not staying in my department (as just an actor) and point out the mistake. I remember Bill and Chuck thanking me for catching it, and telling me not to worry about leaving my acting department.
As opposed to Sheldon, I do not like Wesley Crusher as a character (something I’m sure you’ve never heard) but since listening to the Penny Arcade/D&D/PvP/Wil Wheaton podcasts, following you on twitter and occasionally reading your blog posts, am now fan of your work.
The question I’d like to ask is what your new character is like in the 4th series of the D&D podcasts, but at the same time I want it to be a surprise. So instead I ask you this: what combination of two characters on TBBT is your personal favourite? eg Sheldon and Penny, Leonard and Penny, Raj and Howard, etc.
Bill Prady talked with me about the concept about 5 weeks before we filmed the episode. He told me during our first conversation that I could have a day or so to think about it, but if it was going to be much longer than that, they'd have to withdraw the offer so they could rewrite the story. I don't know what their Plan B was, though. And to be honest? It's pretty awesome to be a Plan A, if only this one time.
Loved the episode! I must admit, because I have seen other people totally miss the mark when they tried to do geek culture it took me a while to get into the show. But I do enjoy it and loved your episode. I watched it with a friend who did not get a chance to read your blog before we saw it. He was going “But that’s not like Wil Wheaton at ALL!” Whenever there is a moment of tension now we always break it with a good stern “WHEATON!”
You seem to enjoy doing comedy, and you’re good at it. Why not write your own? Do a web series like Felicia Day. I’d watch it.
Dude, I salute you. Seriously. Qapla'!
Question 1: Will you be the father of my babies. I’m sure my gf won’t mind.
Real Question: Do you ever feel like your getting typecast as the crazy evil one, or are you just happy to be yourself on set?
Awesome shirt!! This is one of the best episodes of the big bang thoery! it even made my brother laugh and hes a tough nut to crack! thats one of my favourite lines along with “Fetch me Wil Weaton” awesome
My reaction was initially the same as yours, maybe a bit milder. I don't know exactly what it was that changed it for me, but I know that hearing from Phil Plait and David Gerrold that I was completely wrong about the show and its point of view about me and my people played a big part in my willingness to give it a fresh chance.
There was a joke in the first draft that was *very* nerdy, that I just loved. It didn't make the final cut, and I asked Steven Molaro about it. He told me that they all work very diligently to ensure a good balance of jokes from the nerdy and normal sides of the room, so everyone has to be willing to let their jokes go. As I said in a different reply, finding that balance of humor is much more difficult than it appears, but their success in that regard is a big reason so many geeks and mundanes alike can enjoy the show.
Yeah, I spent a lot of time exploring. The comic shop set was a goldmine for me, because those are real books. I had a lot of fun reading silver age Green Lantern between setups.
We haven't done a 4th series of podcasts, so I couldn't tell you what my character was! I have some ideas, though, if/when we do…
I think all the relationships are great and very well balanced, but if I had to pick, I'd say
[NO CARRIER]
+++
ath
atz
Forgive me if this was asked and answered, but in your blog when you were taping the episode and sqeeing every day (Hey, I would be too), you mentioned that one (or more) of the actors were also gamers, care to elaborate??
I've been very lucky to get a lot of work in the last few years playing villainous roles. It's a lot of fun to play those roles because they are so *unlike* who I actually am, and playing characters you aren't exactly like or would never be in real life is one of the best things about being an actor.
I don't mind being cast as the guy you love to hate, because I have a lot of fun creating those roles, and for whatever reason, I seem to do well when I'm given them.
Oh yeah. Kevin Sussman is as big a gamer as I am. We love the same games for the same reasons, and even play at the same game shop in Pasadena from time to time. I didn't mention him by name when we were filming, because I didn't want to give away that we were working on the comic book shop set.
Ooh..is Evil Wil Wheaton like Evil Wayne Brady? Don’t choke a bitch, that’s all I’m saying! 🙂 Sorry. . . maybe that’s off humor. I’m behind a bit here..did the episode run already? Having a toddler ruins my TV watching, but I love that show and finally have a DVR so yeah, could have totally DVR’d that. Dang it!
I really don’t have a question, but I oddly have the desire to comment for the first time.
I avoided TBBT for a long time because I felt that it was the stereotypical nerdy guys in love with the hot, but dim girl formula. When I finally broke down and watched it, I found that there was more to it than that. And it’s very funny.
Now, if I’m being honest, I do feel that the show sometimes still relies on stereotypes and the outdated perception of geekdom (there are girl geeks and we do go to comic book shops, kthx). However, I do think that the spirit in which it’s done is not disrespectful. And let’s face it, stereotypes become stereotypes for a reason.
But as the show goes on, the portrayals seem to becoming more accurate (I was so excited to see a geeky girl who not only knew that Sheldon was carrying Green Lantern’s lantern, but also thought it was cool).
I think TBBT is a small step (or perhaps even a huge leap) for all geek kind. And for that, I love it. Geek is going mainstream.
Btw, this post is so randomly appropriate as I’m going to a taping of TBBT today! 😀
thanks for answering my questions. totally made my day 🙂
Listening to RFB #22 now….you actually bought Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me on CD before Disintegration, eh? That’s got to be the hardest choice if you’re a serious fan of The Cure. KMx3 is an amazing album (hehe, album), but nothing tops Disintegration….and it’s soooooo 1989.
Well, in my defense, Kiss Me^3 did come out in 1987, and I got it the week it was released.
By the way, my husband, who is the real “geek” in our family (with all his Star Trek books filling our book cases and comic books filling our closets) says I might be a bit obsessed with you. I’m always saying, “I just read …. blah-de-blah on Wil Wheaton’s blog…” and I guess he thinks that is weird. I live far away, far away from you so no worries I am stalking you. That would be weird. Very….But I don’t think reading your blog is weird….Whatever! 🙂
I’d thought of that right after I’d hit SEND. Damn you, Wil Wheaton! Now I need to hop in the Delorean, go back to 1987 and make sure Robert Smith (aka Fat Bob) writes Disintegration before KMx3…just so I can be right! Cut me some slack, my wife’s preggo and I haven’t been right in 8-1/2 months!
Wil, I was wondering if you knew anything about the scientific community that the writers consult? There is so much authenticity that it makes me feel like I’m back in college (went to geek school). My favorite jokes are still Sheldon making fun of engineers. Also, can we please ask the producers/writers to have some more female engineers/scientists?
Okay, gotta ask — who is the best ping pong player in the BBT cast/crew? I’m guessing that Kaley has a wicked backhand, but Kunal strikes me as someone with a power serve up his sleeve.
Oh there is no way I'm wading into THAT one. They're very serious about their ping pong over there! I saw on Kunal's Twitter that the annual tournament is about to get underway, though, so I'm sure the question will be answered shortly.
As an actor I know my favourite moments to be a part of are the very ones the audience can never know about from watching.
So: Were there any moments you loved which were product of ad-libbing or accident? Also, were there any pieces that got cut from the final product which you were in love with?
You should definitely also give Chuck another try. It’s a very fun show
I loved your character on Leverage. The show is fantastic too.
First, let me say that TNG was my refuge during a dark point in my life. 13 year old me had a *huge* crush on Wesley, in fact. Thank you for making that dark time a bit more bearable.
Anyway…
While you were on the set, did you go over to the “apartment” area and sit in “Sheldon’s Spot”? If so, did you gain any huge insights to the universe or something? What makes it so special?
Also… I’m 35 now, and about to embark on my first foray into DnD(v3.5). Any advice?
You’ve been guesting on a lot of shows these days (The Guild, Criminal Minds, TBBT). Would you ever be interested in being a regular on a show again (current or new), and if so, what kind of show would you be interested in doing?
Wil, is there one line or joke (by your character or not) that was cut (before or after shoorting) that you wish had made it to the aired episode? And if so, what was the line or joke?