We may receive a commission for purchases made through links.
12 seasons, during his 12-year career, “The Big Bang Theory” has featured a ton of guest stars — the list of “Star Trek” veterans alone is pretty long, actually. One of these Star Trek favorites is Wil Wheaton, who first appeared as “himself” in season 3 (more on that distinction in a bit) to emotionally scare Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons). This long-running arc almost didn't happen in the show's final season — because Wheaton was completely against the show and the idea of appearing on it.
In Jessica Radloff's book 2022, “The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series,” Wheaton and series co-creator Bill Prady revealed that this was the case pretty much It was difficult to get Wheaton on the show, but since he didn't appear in almost every season (he only skipped the first two episodes and season 10), he became a mainstay of the sitcom.
“I was really against the show when I first heard about it,” Wheaton admitted. “I thought it would make fun of people like me—lifelong nerds. If someone in entertainment wanted to do something about our culture, the nerds would probably make fun of it. So I wasn't super. o.” Fortunately, Wheaton eventually gave the show a chance, but said he was “disappointed” in himself for prejudging it and being unfair to the creators. “I became a huge fan and tweeted about how much I loved it [executive producer] Steve Molaro saw that tweet and invited me to shoot,” he said.
Wil Wheaton actually didn't want to play himself on The Big Bang Theory
In the end, getting Wil Wheaton to literally join The Big Bang Theory was difficult, and Bill Prady had to take matters into his own hands. “I got an email from Bill Prady's assistant saying he wanted to talk to me,” Wheaton said. “And bless Bill forever, he talked to me like someone he was very interested in who knew nothing about his show. He was very kind.” After saying it worked before two producers who are terrible people (Wheaton called them “d*cks” to be super-specific) and assumed most producers were just as bad, Wheaton said he and Pradi became lifelong friends as a result of the call. “Bill and I are extraordinarily good friends now,” Wheaton said. “But I got on the phone with Bill and he said he wanted me to come on the show and play my version.”
“He wasn't sure about playing himself on the show … that's not unusual,” Pradi clarified. “You become an actor so you don't have to play yourself. You become an actor so you can be other people.” Still, the team was determined to book Wheaton, who actually lived near Pasadena (where the series was filmed) and, as Steve Molaro told Bill Prady, could be a regular patron of the comic book store Sheldon and his friends frequented. friends, so it fell to Pradi to convince him. Apparently, Wheaton's “playing himself” was the key.
The team behind The Big Bang Theory found a great way for Wil Wheaton to play himself
Wil Wheaton told Jessica Radloff in the book, “I felt cheated that I was playing … it's not something I've earned.” “Or it was going to be a one-off where someone would say, 'Hey, look, that's the kid from Star Trek,' and then it would be over. I didn't want that.” At the time, Wheaton really loved the show, so he begged Prady to let him audition for a character. He understood, but in the end he told her, “No actor likes to play himself, but you're the only actor who can play Wil Wheaton.”
Prady offered to let Wheaton think about playing himself and also suggested that Wheaton let him know that any non-Wheaton role would work, but apparently someone from a completely different series swayed Wheaton in the end. That man? Wheaton's friend John Rogers is famous for creating shows like Leverage and The Librarians. As for his conversation with Rogers, Wheaton recalled that Rogers was quiet at first before calling it quits for foolishly passing up the chance to be on the most popular TV show currently airing. He apparently yelled at him to “get on the phone with Bill Prady and tell him you're going to do whatever he asks of you or we're not friends,” so Wheaton did.
For his part, Prady was pretty grateful … and not only that, but he found a way to make Wheaton happy to boot. “Yes, he did, and thank goodness,” said Prady, who said he was nervous about telling Wheaton the way he approached his portrayal before Rogers' “advice.” “I remember being scared to call him and say, 'We screwed up your character,' but he was happy about it! He went, 'Oh my god, this is the greatest thing!'” It gave him a character to play — 'Evil Wil Wheaton.' . And then the character developed over time and eventually became friends with the kids, but I loved that he was okay with that.”
In 2019, Wil Wheaton said The Big Bang Theory saved his career
As Bill Prady Jessica Radloff rightly says in her Wil Wheaton book does Basically start playing “Evil Wil Wheaton” but in season 5 he and Sheldon finally make up and he becomes friends with the whole gang. (Although he's still often playfully hostile towards Sheldon, which is really funny.) It's hard to imagine the show. without Wheaton seems to hang with the characters almost every season, and it seems Wheaton feels the same way.
In May 2019 As “The Big Bang Theory” season 12 finale ends with “Stockholm Syndrome,” Wheaton took to Instagram to commemorate his time on the series (the post has now been deleted, but was chronicled in history Digital spy). After watching the show's final taping live, Wheaton said, “I think if I were to build a tripod from my career, the main legs would be 'Stand By Me,' 'Star Trek,' and 'The Big Bang Theory.' It kind of shocks me to say this, it's remarkable for me to have all of these in my life, honestly one of them would be more than anyone could ever hope for. or his biography.”[one[ofthemwouldbemorethananyonecouldhopeforonhisorherresume”[one[ofthemwouldbemorethananyonecouldhopeforonhisorherresume”
Wheaton was not just He's grateful to be a part of The Big Bang Theory, but he says he thinks it saved his career and helped him stay afloat as a performer during a time when he was somewhat struggling in the industry. “It seems that mainstream Hollywood isn't particularly interested in me and what I bring to a production these days,” he said. “I don't know why and I don't know if I'll ever be able to do anything to change it, but I can say for sure that I probably have an acting career in front of the camera today because of 'The Big Bang Theory.'” and everything I've done in front of the camera for the rest of my career, the last ten will rest on the shoulders of the work that I have the privilege and honor to carry out in the year.”
“The Big Bang Theory,” including Wheaton's 17 episodes, is now streaming on Max.
