“Mi llamo es Bob.”

Yesterday, I saw this video linked at Reddit.

It's one of those things that I haven't thought about in years, but the instant I saw it, it unlocked some memories, one of which I left as a comment:

I was a huge Night Court nerd when I was a kid, and from time to time I would ask Brent to do this character; hearing him say "Mi llamo es 'Bob'" in his Data makeup was as hilarious to me as it was surreal.

I remember at one point around (I think) season three, Brent started making me laugh when we were shooting on the bridge, and then pretending he had nothing to do with it when I got in trouble … his go-to bit was to just look across at me and say, very quietly, "Bob," in that character's voice. It killed me every single time.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be as good an actor as Patrick, as cool as Frakes, and as funny as Brent. From time to time, one of them would say something to me that made me feel like I'd taken a step in that direction, and it always meant the world to me. I loved it when Brent would joke around with me, because it made me feel like I was the peer I so desperately wanted to be, instead of the clueless teenager I knew I was.

85 thoughts on ““Mi llamo es Bob.””

  2. Holy crap. I was a huge night court fan as a kid. I haven’t seen it in so long though- I remember these characters but didn’t recall it being Brent. That is so awesome.

  3. I hear ya brother – “good an actor as Patrick, as cool as Frakes, and as funny as Brent” Now THAT is a holy trinity!

  5. That’s the same voice he used in the “A Fistfull of Datas” episode on TNG.
    This clip brought back memories and that TNG episode was just on the other night.
    Thanks for sharing.

  7. Yeah Bob (and his family) was always one of my favourite Night Court bits – I love those quirky characters that Brent has done – like the scientist in Independence Day. And I actually restarted following Tweets when I found Brent’s “interesting” narrative tweets last year.

  8. O_o; Thanks alot Mr. Wheaton! Now I have to buy Night Court episodes!
    I was a huge NC/Cheers geek as a kid too.. But NC was definitely my favourite.. Imagine being on the set with Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, and Brent Spiner..

  10. Just surfed over to IMDB and on the “Did You Know” section they have on the main page was this:
    “The Big Bang Theory”
    While Wil Wheaton was appearing on the show, he took a photo of the set’s coffee table and posted it on his much-followed blog. Among the materials on the coffee table were: copies of “Mental Floss” magazine; The Sandman Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections by Neil Gaiman; a package of Pepperidge Farm Sausalito milk chocolate macadamia nut chunk cookies; a package of Redvines licorice; and a package of Tim’s brand Original Flavor lightly salted potato chips.
    You’re getting lotsa love these days!

  11. I so miss Night Court. I think Bob and his family is one of my favorite characters. I wonder if they have the old episodes on DVD. I think that is a must have. Over to Amazon I go!
    Wil, Would you mind giving me a little info please? I am writting a paper in my journalism class about electronic books. I would love to know some of your thoughts on e-books vs paper.
    As always, thanks for making me laugh. Your site brightens my day! :o)

  12. John was great! Yeah – I still randomly pull the quote “Dan, Dan Fielding” on unsuspecting uneducated-in-the-world-of-Night-Court people. And I refuse to explain it, because it’s only funny to me anyway.

  13. Met Brent briefly at San Diego last year at a signing. I told him my wife and I saw him twice in NYC in “1776” where he played John Adams and was brilliant. His eyes lit up a little at a non-Trek comment and we talked theater acting for five minutes. Nothing better than talking to actors about their craft sometimes. Now to meet Sir Patrick and see if my imitation of his voice is really accurate. 🙂

  14. I used to love watching Night Court. I guess I never realized the actress who played Christine had to run around with a femme mullet 🙂 Oh yeah, and Brent is funny too!

  16. Wait, since when are people calling you “Mr. Wheaton”? Dude, we’re the same age, and even I don’t get that.

  17. I know. Whenever someone calls me "Mr. Wheaton," I feel like I'm in trouble for something, or they're actually talking to my dad.

  19. I loved Night Court when I was a kid. (Still do.) It was on my list of shows I *had* to watch. Hilarious stuff.
    “Bloodcurdling peeping.” I’m not going to be able to get that out of my head for the rest of the day.
    Thanks for sharing this.

  20. I've been telling everyone I know that they should just do the salute, because it's just not worth getting sick after every frakking con. Thoughtful, kind fans who can see the humanity in them will understand, and people who are dicks about it don't deserve the privilege of a handshake in the first place.

  22. I loved Night Court as well, and Brent Spiner was (as always) awesome. My most often quoted line from the series, that NO one ever gets is “My yak hair arrived, my YAK hair arrived” thank you for reminding me that there are cool cats like you who watched the show too 🙂

  23. I do believe the first two words I ever spoke to you were ‘Mr. Wheaton’ – and I am older than you! It was a respect thing and an attempt to quickly get your attention to offer you the the escape route from the aftermath of Jimmy Doohan’s farewell dinner in ’04.

  24. Oh, I had forgotten about Bob. Thank you for unleashing the memories. This was first time I saw this character, “…we ate the Necco wafers.” Something like that sticks with a person, through thick & thin. I can’t see a Necco wafer in the store without thinking about Bob. Thank you Wil, for reminding me of the genius that is Brent/Bob. And thank you, Bob for bringing Neccos back into my life. They really suck.

  25. I remember the laugh that Necco wafer joke got out of my dad. This whole scene is such a bit, but such an earnest, well-done bit, I can’t imagine how everyone’s keeping a straight face through it all. I guess that’s why they call it acting. Good stuff.

  27. WOW! I used to watch Night Court too but I never made the connection to Brent! Gotta love John when he hears how much money they have $250K. Wish I had a chunk like that!

  30. I have a memory of him as Bob from one of the two parts of “Hurricane” that I think is the funniest thing ever on Night Court. But since I probably haven’t seen that episode since it first aired (when I was like 12), I have no idea if my memory is accurate. I definitely need to track down some Night Court episodes.

  32. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before. The deadpan delivery is sidesplittingly funny. “We ate the Necco wafers…” the tears are rolling down my face.

  34. I loved Night Court too. Couldn’t stand Cheers: too cynical.
    Something reminded me of John Astin’s Buddy the other day. “But I’m feeling MUCH better now…”
    Off to google Necco wafers.

  35. OH EM GEE! I didn’t realize that was Brent! I loooooooooooooved Night Court! That clip made me laugh out loud! Thanks for finding that clip and bringing it to light! I wish they’d do reruns of Night Court…damn funny show!

  36. When TNG premiered, my friends and i instantly recognized Bob in Brent Spiner. It actually became a runing joke to cross Data’s lines with Bob comments. My personal favorite was my friend Mike, in a top-notch impersonation, intone (head cocked to one side) “Acessing… Lord knows what happened to the puppies,”

  38. Ah, the memories. One of my all-time favorite shows growing up, probably because my parents loved watching it, too. Bob and his wife were some of the best “guest” characters on the show. My dad used to love the first older female security guard (can’t remember her name)…the one with the raspy voice who was always busting Bull’s chops, I think. I always adored Harry and Dan, no matter how slimy he was! Thanks for sharing!

  43. Loved Night Court! Hadn’t connected Brent Spiner to being in it, so really funny to see him in that role which he did so well… thanks Will!

  46. Loved Night Court when I was younger. I still remember when the Wheelers took over the snack bar/newpaper stand in the cafeteria for a season or so.

  47. My husband suggested to Brent that he should bring some Night Court stills to his next appearance at DragonCon, which got a laugh. Then Brent tried to convince me I should ditch my husband and come back to his room. Brent Spiner is awesome.
    That year I decided to pass on Jonathan Frakes’ autograph until I could get a suitable printout of his animated scene in the Futurama episode “Where No Fan Has Gone Before” – it’s a dream of mine to get “Yes! Front row!” and his name. 🙂
    They’ll both be back at D*C this year, which I’m excited about. In fact, quite a lot of Star Trek alumni will be at the con this year. Hmm, now if only Wil would make an appearance…

  49. Bob was the BEST re-curring role on NC. I loved the ep where he helped deliver the babies…she had three and named two of them ‘Bob’…LOL
    Awesome stuff!

  50. I find myself channeling Astin frequently, but typically only to blank stares. Why does no one ever understand that I’m feeling muuuuuch better now?

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