# Favorite Big Bang Theory guest star **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 26, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507 "2017-05-26T20:12:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/21 "2017-05-27T05:47:07Z")
A toss-up between Bob Newhart and Stephen Hawking. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/22 "2017-05-27T08:26:02Z")
[quote=“Ranger\_Jeff, post:18, topic:787507”] That was “The Apology Insufficiency” and FBI Special Agent Amanda Page was played by an actress named Eliza Dushku. [QUOTE] That would explain the resemblance. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/23 "2017-05-27T11:18:43Z")
Thought the episode with Sheldon hanging out with James Earl Jones was an absolute hoot - adding Carrie Fisher was just a bonus. That would have to be my favorite guest appearance(s). ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/24 "2017-05-27T12:47:14Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Thought the episode with Sheldon hanging out with James Earl Jones was an absolute hoot - adding Carrie Fisher was just a bonus. That would have to be my favorite guest appearance(s). Mine, too. I love that JEJ turned out to be a big blowhard who, in the end, wore out even mega-fan Sheldon. I just watched the rerun of this episode for the first time since Carrie Fisher died and teared up unexpectedly when she appeared at the end. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/25 "2017-05-27T13:42:42Z")
One of my favorites is Vernee Watson, who plays Althea the Nurse. It may be a nostalgia thing because I remember her as a Sweathog. It seems to be that there was a time when she was the Go-To Young Black Actress when sit com needed a hip yet non-threatening attractive young black woman. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/26 "2017-05-27T14:36:17Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > One of my favorites is Vernee Watson, who plays Althea the Nurse. It may be a nostalgia thing because I remember her as a Sweathog. It seems to be that there was a time when she was the Go-To Young Black Actress when sit com needed a hip yet non-threatening attractive young black woman. She’s appeared 6 times including the aired pilot–7 if you count the un-aired pilot. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/27 "2017-05-27T15:26:51Z")
I wasn’t certain until now if the scene in the sperm bank was re-filmed after the unaired pilot for the pilot used. It’s now clear to me that it was. The first link below goes to the unaired pilot and the second to the one that was aired: Vernee Watson-Johnson was so good at doing the same attitude in the two scenes that i didn't realize that they were different scenes. The IMDb only lists her as being in six episodes, counting the aired and the unaired pilots as different episodes. She should be far better known. She's one of the best character actors around, and she should have gotten a shot at some lead roles. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/28 "2017-05-27T20:52:43Z")
I love Sheldon’s twin sister (played by Courtney Henggeler) and wish she’d shown up far more often ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/29 "2017-05-27T21:41:47Z")
Christine Baranski Sara Rue Riki Lindhome Carol Ann Susi, just to be different. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/30 "2017-05-27T23:03:44Z")
Gonna second Judy Greer. ---
**Author:** ![Uniqueorn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uniqueorn/32/2807_2.png) [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/31 "2017-05-28T00:04:46Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Stephen Hawking, Wil Wheaton and the voice (and DNA!) of Leonard Nimoy. I actually think that Wil Wheaton is the worst and most punchable-in-the-face actor in all of television land. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/32 "2017-05-28T01:42:06Z")
Octavia Spencer had a very brief rolr as a DMV employee. These have been high quality folks visiting BBT ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/33 "2017-05-28T02:50:36Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Thought the episode with Sheldon hanging out with James Earl Jones was an absolute hoot - adding Carrie Fisher was just a bonus. That would have to be my favorite guest appearance(s). Incidentally, I’ve that Jones and Fisher never actually met during the filming of _Star Wars_. Sort of adds to the joke. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/34 "2017-05-28T02:58:23Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > I actually think that Wil Wheaton is the worst and most punchable-in-the-face actor in all of television land. [This should make you very happy, then…](http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp11272008.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/35 "2017-05-28T05:58:00Z")
Here’s one for you: **Meagan Fay** , who plays Bernie’s mother. So far, she’s only been in one episode (that was probably a double at Bernie’s wedding), but she was hilarious! > **[Mrs. Rostenkowski](https://bigbangtheory.fandom.com/wiki/Mrs._Rostenkowski)** > > Mrs. Rostenkowski is the mother of Bernadette Rostenkowski, Joey Rostenkowski and four other children, wife of Mike Rostenkowski, and the mother-in-law of Howard Wolowitz, who is said to be just as motherly over Bernadette as Debbie Wolowitz is over... ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/36 "2017-05-28T06:02:21Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Incidentally, I’ve that Jones and Fisher never actually met during the filming of _Star Wars_. Sort of adds to the joke. Back in 1976–77, James was merely a voice talent for that movie, and probably recorded all of his lines in a single day. So little was his involvement that he actually declined screen credit for doing the voice of Darth Vader, a decision he reversed _reaaaaal_ fast after the film came out. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/37 "2017-05-28T23:24:44Z")
Mine is Katee Sackhoff - her scenes with Howard were some of the funniest in the early seasons, and I loved the way she always took the wind out of his sails during his fantasies. “Howard, I’m actually on a date with a millionaire right now.” “Is he tall?” “He’s 6’4”." I love Rauch on the show, and Sackhoff no longer appearing is the only downside to her becoming a regular for me. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/38 "2017-05-28T23:47:56Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Surely you mean \*\*Mandy \*\*Chow? :dubious: > > [Mandy Chow | The Big Bang Theory Wiki | Fandom](http://bigbangtheory.wikia.com/wiki/Mandy_Chow) > > (And yes, she is **hot**! :o ) Of course I did. :smack: I can’t believe I typed that. I’ve written about her before, and not gotten it wrong. I know perfectly well it’s Mandy. I must really have been distracted when I typed that. Yes, she’s hot, but it’s more than that. She did such a great job. After the scene where Amy pretends to be interested in Sheldon’s video system dilemma, I think the scene between Mandy and Leonard is the funniest in the whole show. Coming up third is the one where Sheldon and Leonard have to get the box up the stairs in episode 1:2. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/39 "2017-05-29T12:24:13Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > I actually think that Wil Wheaton is the worst and most punchable-in-the-face actor in all of television land. Way back when you would have felt right at home in the USENET group alt.ensign.wesley.die.die.die. He remains a terrible actor. Oh, here’s one: Josh Brener as Dale. Returns _are_ hard. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507/40 "2017-05-29T13:23:12Z")
How does it work with Stephen Hawking? Does he actually get recorded “reading” his lines or does he just give permission for an imitation of his voice synth to be used on his behalf? Something else? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-big-bang-theory-guest-star/787507.md?page=3)