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RIP Leonard Nimoy
Famed actor and science-fiction icon Leonard Nimoy passed away today at the age of 83. Known primarily for his role as Spock in the popular television series Star Trek, Nimoy also did many other media ventures, including sitting in the director’s chair for the 1987 classic Three Men and a Baby. While I’m not a Star Trek fan/Trekkie, I do know that he’s an important figure in science-fiction popular culture. Surprisingly, his best “cameo” in television’s #1 comedy The Big Bang Theory was in name/DNA only.
Sheldon’s reaction encapsulates how many people viewed Mr. Nimoy.
Leonard Nimoy: Live Long and Happily in Our Memories.
When Art and Life Collide
Last night’s episode of The Big Bang Theory was the show’s first in 2014. It had its funny moments (not counting Sheldon’s definition wordplay) and its not so funny moments (Leonard and Penny). The writers and producers made certain not to debut 2014 lightly, but instead with a substantive episode interwoven with real life discussions and heartbreaks.
Will Penny make it as an actress after a decade of pursuing her dream?
Does Leonard honestly think Penny will make it as a successful actress?
One important distinction made last night was the primary difference between a drama and a comedy. Specifically, consider when someone says there is a “one in a million” chance something will happen. In a comedy, like Dumb and Dumber, that’s a punchline filled with hilarious delusion. In a dramatic situation (even within a situation comedy), the “one in a million” response is a metaphorical, and partly literal, punch to the gut to the recipient.
The only delusion of the latter is the harsh reality of contemplating just how large the number one million is and how small the number one is in comparison. And then understanding who represents the number one.
Devastating.
The event that led to the “one in a million” talk between Leonard and Penny was when her small diner part in NCIS with star Mark Harmon was edited out from the show. It didn’t make the final cut. Leonard and Penny discussed the realistic prospects of her future as an actress and the results were nowhere nearly as pretty as Penny herself.
The show ended with Leonard and Penny’s argument (and future) unresolved. But here is where the show got really interesting.
While reading Chuck Lorre’s weekly Vanity Card at the end of the episode, which can range from funny to thought-provoking to inappropriate, there was an instant realization that his message was as substantive as the episode itself. It was simultaneously real and surreal.
That’s truly rare and it deserves to be expanded upon.
Without a word-for-word recap, the message detailed how Penny’s part in a major CBS show (NCIS) was cut in the final edit and, therefore, did not air. Her excited friends and family, sadly, did not see her “big break” that she had worked ten years for in Los Angeles. Ironically (and unbelievably) the exact same thing happened in last night’s Big Bang Theory episode! An actress who had a small part with Raj and Stewart in the mall was cut in the final edit. It was going to be her big break, very likely with her family and friends gathered together to watch her act in one of the biggest shows on television.
Unfortunately, her part (like Penny’s) was cut in the final edit. However, Big Bang co-creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre made sure to let America (and the world) know in his Vanity Card that he wanted to apologize to the actress and that it was only because of time that her part was not included in the show’s final version. He made certain to note to her and her family and friends that she absolutely nailed the part. He then added that he will work hard to get her back on the show sometime in the future.
Wow!
It’s a case of life imitating art or art imitating life or art and life getting an apartment together in downtown Pasadena to enjoy a glass (or bottle) or white wine before their next audition.
Either way, it was real, surreal, heart-breaking, inspiring and unbelievably amazing all at the same time.
In the episode, Sheldon, in his quest for comedic dominance, stated that “comedy is tragedy plus time” after Penny left the room following her realization that her part was taken out of the show.
It seems Chuck Lorre waited the exact right amount of time to say something that turned a tragedy into something not necessarily funny, but still something that likely brought joy and a smile to a dedicated and disappointed actress’s face.
Funny how life turns out from time to time.
Science’s Super Sitcom Septuplet
“The Big Bang Theory” has one of the best (if not the best) ensemble casts on television today. From the original gang of Howard, Leonard, Penny, Raj and Sheldon (don’t overreact Sheldon, it’s alphabetical), the past 6 1/2 seasons have proven that each character is capable of individually and collaboratively spurring terrific fits of laughter for hilarious entertainment.
In recent seasons, the show has successfully incorporated the love of Howard Wolowitz’s life, Bernadette, the slightly clumsy microbiologist, and Sheldon’s girlfriend and Penny’s BFF Amy Farrah Fowler (TVs Blossom!) into the mix as regulars.
7 (+ or -) an ever-changing value of comedic variables has become known as “The Big Bang Theory’s” Law.
And then there are the outrageously funny and mindful mothers. The dynamic of Leonard and Sheldon being the perfect son for the other person’s Mom is thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Plus, Raj’s parents cannot be ignored. However, the two of them seem to be preferring the opposite these days regarding their marriage…
It’s probably a safe bet that two of the biggest surprises yet to come in this series center on Howard and debuting his Wheel of Fortune-genius Mother to the public and identifying his absent Father and his actual back story.
The former will be funny for sure (so there are two CBS sitcoms that focus in some way on hiding the identity of a mother?), while the latter will bring emotional tears to everyone’s eyes. But these two mysteries won’t be solved or happening for years to come.
Whether it’s Wil Wheaton (“Wheaton!!”), reluctant comic book store owner Stuart or Penny’s former boyfriend/karaoke singing maestro Zach, the roster is deep for the CBS King of Sitcoms. The character lineup for “The Big Bang Theory” is equivalent to the periodic table, which has all the elements you need and, thankfully, has not been fully disclosed yet to the audience. There is still a lot more show left and many more elements to mix into this batch of hilarity.
Plus, we cannot forget about Dr. George Smoot, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Bob Newhart and this guy named Stephen Hawking.
That’s not too bad a list of guest stars (yes Sheldon, that’s sarcasm).
As is usually the case for popular sitcoms, the goofy, complementary characters tend to develop into audience favorites with funny, zany quirks (Nicolas Cage anyone?) and outrageous double entendre one-liners that only Raj can deliver with absolute comedic precision.
Spoiler Alert Warning!
The episode from last night ended with one of the interactive qualities that has resulted from the show’s popularity and clever writing: must-have merchandise! First, it was a singing Soft Kitty (My Mom can attest that it’s awesome). Then, it was the red “Bazinga!” t-shirt, Howard’s belt buckles, etc. However, as mentioned above, the best item may have premiered yesterday evening around 9:29 p.m. EST in the show’s closing moments. In the form of an apology to best bud Howard, Raj debuted to the world light-wait for it (yes, this CBS sitcom crossover reference totally works here)…saber belt buckles that glow in the dark!
The awkward double entendre moment between happily clueless Raj and cognizant Howard was priceless!
Here are the two questions that need to be asked: How comically perfect are Howard and Raj? And second, when will those glowing light saber belt buckles be for sale!?
From creative belt buckles to a trademarked three-knock protocol to new favorite characters, “The Big Bang Theory” continues to evolve with a bigger bang each week.
Like students in science class, the sitcom’s millions of fans anxiously await for the teacher or professor to perform his or her next entertaining experiment. There’s a certain unpredictable chemical imbalance going on in Pasadena and it feels great to watch those elements shake around in the beaker every Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. on CBS.
P.S. One more important inquiry: Anyone else notice Penny’s last name has never been revealed…
“The physics is theoretical, but the fun is real”
The best television shows consistently demonstrate one commonality: the audience knows the cast is having fun and that they are actually friends off-camera. This post will examine one of these sitcoms.
As crazy as this reads, my Dad and I were actually at the taping of “The Big Bang Theory” pilot! Full disclosure: it was an amazing atmosphere, sitcom episode and, being candid, it felt like a hit from the very first scene that was shot in the waiting room where Sheldon & Leonard were waiting to make manly depos-…you get the picture. They ultimately bailed out, but this first impression of the characters was funny nonetheless.
In this first episode, the final scene comprised of the four guys and Penny driving out to dinner. Howard Wolowitz, the self-described Ladies Man, who can wish a woman “good shower” in a multitude of languages, was flirting with Penny by enticing the group to got to a karaoke bar. Wolowitz then proceeds to seductively, and humorously, serenade Penny. Penny is caught between a smile and a gentle laugh, genuinely amused by her co-star as Sheldon closes out the show with a quip about Leonard being a, “veritable Mack Daddy” in the car, directly referring to his long-shot chances of dating the beautiful girl next door. Penny then bursts into laughs from the back seat as the scene goes to black.
Comradery is special to see in any episode, let alone the pilot. Aside from the fact the first episode was great by regular standards, this quintet appeared to be onto something beyond just a pilot. This very funny show with its great characters enters Season 7 (already!?) this fall with Leonard returning to Pasadena and his girlfriend Penny from his career-changing voyage at sea with Stephen Hawking’s research team and with Raj finally able to speak to women without being intoxicated, which actually turned Amy into a bit of a drinker…this being a sips worth of red wine.
One guarantee is that if the cast is having fun, it’s very likely the audience is too.
The laughs in the upcoming seventh season are only four months away.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 