James Spillane
“The Big Bang Theory” aired on CBS this past Thursday at 8pm EST with an all new episode titled “The Misinterpretation Agitation”. In the seventh episode of the show’s eighth season, the producers brought in “Fargo” actor Billy Bob Thornton to play awkward urologist Dr. Oliver Lorvis. Thornton played the role well, first appearing in a scene where he was pursuing Penny because of her flirtatious sales techniques.
Steven Molaro, the show’s executive producer, talked of the star’s guest spot on the hit show. Molaro spoke of how the cameo happened, saying, “A few months ago, we had seen an interview with Billy Bob talking about shows he likes. He was saying how much he likes ‘Big Bang Theory’, and watches it all the time. And we said that’s pretty cool – if he likes the show, maybe he’d do it.”
“The Big Bang Theory” saw the strange doctor fall for Penny, while all of the guys develop a man crush on him. As a urologist to the nerd stars, Raj, Leonard, Howard and Sheldon learn that the doctor has kept certain items belonging to high profile clients as mementos.
Molaro revealed to EW.com, “When we started thinking about Billy Bob, the thought was that he could be the doctor who doesn’t quite understand the signals – that this would be a socially awkward doctor who falls for Penny’s sales flirtations. We went back to Billy and his people with that thought, and they thought it was really fun and cool, so we went from there.”
Thornton did well to keep his short-lived cameo a secret, but they weren’t sure how the live audience kept quiet about it. He said, “It started with Billy and his people saying, ‘Hey, what if we kept this a secret?’ And we thought, ‘That sounds really cool!’ CBS obliged, but we didn’t quite know what to do with the studio audience – it was 200 people who saw it happen. But somehow people kept quiet enough that it was news to many viewers, and we were thrilled that it went down that way.”
The Big Bang Theory’s guest actor had a good time doing his part for the show. Molaro said, “He has said he had a wonderful time. After we finished taping, we had a table read the next morning. Everyone was a little sad that Billy was gone. It was that much fun having him around.”
http://youtu.be/L5erFbAMelM
Bernadette wants to be celebrated by a magazine for being smart and pretty, but Amy sabotages the idea and gets the article removed from the publication. In the meantime, Penny is chased by Dr. Lorvis based entirely on her looks and flirtations (she moves her wedding ring to the other hand while on the sales floor). Dr. Lorvis has some serious geek cred, but has no idea what to do in social situations with women. If Leonard hadn’t found Penny, it’s thought that he could’ve been taken down the same path.
The Big Bang Theory left us with some awkwardness when Amy and Bernadette had their tiff and we are left hoping that Billy Bob Thornton’s awkward doctor character will make his eventual return. What are your thoughts on the episode?
[Photo Credit: Warner Brothers Entertainment via EW]
This article was written for Business 2 Community by James Spillane.
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I enjoyed the episode and wouldn’t mind seeing a return of the doctor. The guys on the show certainly loved his man cave.
I thought Thornton did a great job. Made the awkward character he played likable rather than creepy. I really hope they bring him back occasionally like they plan on doing with Bob Newhart.
Surprised a little the writers left the Bernadette/Amy tiff unresolved. Disappointed the direction the writers are taking in Bernadette’s character development. She emasculates Howard in ways that make her seem cold and uncaring of his feelings, she seems to be obsessed with how much money she makes, and now she steps on Amy’s already fragile self-esteem, a character trait that makes Amy even more lovable because you can’t help but root for her.
The writers seem bent on making most of the characters unlikable this season. Sheldon has gone beyond clueless into total jerk, Bernadette is becoming a shrew, I don’t know what they’re trying to do with Penny but she’s just annoying, Leonard has gone past endearingly insecure and has become a whiner. The writers, producers, etc don’t seem to be even trying anymore. I wonder if there was more animosity going on in those salary negotiations than we knew about.
I thought that Thornton was great, and totally enjoyed the man crush that “the boys” had on him. Before I worry about the writing, I am going to sit back and see what they come up with next. All these characters have quirks and leave plenty of fodder for stories. Amy is hysterical–she is kind and sweet, but don’t piss her off. Amy is such a nerd, I really enjoy watching her come out of her shell.
I enjoyed this episode too, and BB Thornton did a great turn of acting making the character likable. Yes, I think he should be a recurring character, especially if the writer’s pursue his crush on Amy…..Sheldon needs a rival. I’d like to see more development of Howard and Raj…Howard needs to start growing up a little and it would be nice to see more of Raj’s romance with Emily.
I thought Thorton did great, I didn’t recognize him, but knew he was an A-list type actor. Did a great job as a nerd.
Loved this episode with Billy Bob and would LOVE to have him return to the show on occasion. A crush on Amy would send Sheldon into a spin. Fix the riff between Amy and Bernadette, don’t like to see Amy’s feelings hurt. Bernadette is too sweet to do that to her.
There hasn’t been one character added to the show that has done anything to change the funny. It’s still hilarious. Love Stuart too, and his relationship with Howard’s mother is wild.
Absolutely love the twists and turns and the comedy.
I enjoyed this episode very much. And as a BBT nerd myself, I was glad to see Bernadette take Amy down a peg or two as I feel she is getting too big for her britches. Both Penny and Bernadette cater to her too much and she is getting a little obnoxious. I think Penny and Bernadette should do some things with out Amy and let her see just how tenuous her position in the threesome really is.