On The Big Bang Theory episode ‘The Geology Elevation’, geologist Bert (Brian Posehn) wins a MacArthur Fellowship aka the Genius Award — which turns Sheldon (Jim Parsons) “stone cold jealous.” Sheldon might cheer up when he discovers Howard has found a remote-control Stephen Hawking action figure. The real-life physicist appears as himself.
[Stephen Hawking wrote the best-selling children’s book George’s Secret Key to the Universe with his daughter Lucy Hawking]
Just days before his appearance on The Big Bang Theory, Hawking delivered a lecture on the universe and the origins of humans at the Oxford Union debating society. He said: “I don’t think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet.” Still, he offered words of hope and encouragement: “Try to make sense of what you see, wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.” The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8pm on CBS.
