PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: INSIDE MEDIA: AN EVENING WITH THE BIG BANG THEORY'S JIM PARSONS {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of seminars presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's Inside Media events in New York. This seminar celebrates actor Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory," the comedy series about a quartet of nerdy scientists in Pasadena and their attempts to master the cooler aspects of life and love.
Host Ron Simon (television curator, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks before bringing moderator Michelle Kung (cultural reporter, The Wall Street Journal) to the stage. She introduces the episode “The Plimpton Stimulation,” which is screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 101316.)
Following the screening, Kung brings Parsons to the stage. They discuss topics which include: his fondness for discussing the show with fans; why he never knows about guest stars on the program; whether Sheldon has a lack of interest in romance; the writers’ dislike for “drastic change” in the plots; the usefulness of science of as a basis for the show; the way in which affable guest star Wil Wheaton made an "excellent foil" for Sheldon; his initial reaction to Sheldon’s catchphrase “bazinga;” the difficulty of his first "Big Bang" audition; his early television work (which segues to a 2002 clip from “Ed” ); his "unnecessarily nice" co-stars on “Ed,” Julie Bowen and John Slattery; advice to younger actors; an upcoming film role; his deference to the writers in developing Sheldon; creator Chuck Lorre’s "secure vision" of the show; and the close rapport among the cast.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: the challenge of learning scientific and pop-culture jargon; his memorization techniques; the need to educate himself about the show’s references via YouTube and Wikipedia; his experience when attending a recent Comic-Con; a startling fan encounter; why he reveres the work of Robin Williams on “Mork and Mindy” and John Ritter on “Three’s Company”; if Betty White should portray Sheldon’s “meemaw;” the fun of sharing the “perks” of success with his family; co-star Kunal Nayyar’s “unbitching” acceptance of his many silent scenes; Leonard Nimoy’s involvement with the show; a gift for the crew from Whoopi Goldberg; the inclusion of a real physicist on the show's staff; his relationship with Laurie Metcalf as Sheldon’s mother; and whether he'll return to the New York stage.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: May 4, 2010 6:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:18:49
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 101091
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ron Simon … Host
- Michelle Kung … Moderator
- Jim Parsons … Guest
- Julie Bowen
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Chuck Lorre
- Laurie Metcalf
- Kunal Nayyar
- Leonard Nimoy
- John Ritter
- John Slattery
- Robin Williams
- Wil Wheaton
- Betty White