Movies - TV
Bob Newhart's 2 Conditions To Play Professor Proton On The Big Bang Theory
By VALERIE ETTENHOFER
Bob Newhart agreed to play Professor Proton on "The Big Bang Theory" under two specific conditions. First, he insisted on filming his scenes in front of a live studio audience.
Believing that performing in front of a live audience added essential energy and authenticity to his performance, Newhart opposed to using pre-taped segments with laugh tracks.
Newhart's second request was that the role of Professor Proton be a "semi-recurring" one, though he didn't specify if he was concerned about appearing too often or not enough.
The show's creator, Chuck Lorre, readily agreed to these terms, leading to Newhart's memorable recurring appearances, which earned the comedian his first and only Primetime Emmy.