On The Big Bang Theory episode “The Opening Night Excitation,” Sheldon (Jim Parsons) gets a visit from the ghost of his childhood hero, Arthur Jeffries (Dr. Proton) who’s portrayed by the great Bob Newhart. As in past episodes when Jefrries appears, Newhart is dressed like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Newhart’s signature stutter is a comical contrast to the serious voice of Sir Alec Guinness who played the Jedi Master in the original Star Wars.
[Star Wars Scuttlebutt From Sir Alec Guinness circa 1976]
Meanwhile, Leonard, Howard and Raj decide to take Wil Wheaton (who plays himself) to the opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which actually does open the night this episode airs (December 17). What the scientists didn’t expect was for Wheaton to show up at the theater wearing his Star Trek costume. (Wheaton portrayed Ensign Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation.) Earlier this week, Wheaton watched the trailer for Star Trek Beyond which he referred to as “generic.” The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8pm on CBS.
