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“The Big Bang Theory” has definitively won me over. The show, which has made many smart corrections in its three seasons, has evolved into one of the most enjoyable comedies on the air.
And if the nerd-tastic CBS comedy is going to offer “Battlestar Galactica”- related goodies, I’m not going to stop it.
Katee Sackhoff, formerly Kara “Starbuck” Thrace on “Battlestar,” will have a small role in the Nov. 23 episode of “The Big Bang Theory.” Sackhoff, who will be a series regular on “24” when that show returns in January, will play herself in a cameo on “Big Bang Theory.”
That’s not the only Cylon-related fun “Big Bang Theory” will be having in coming weeks. The Nov. 2 episode has a scene in which Sheldon fixes a snack with the help of his trusty Cylon toaster (for the non-“BSG” fans out there, the mechanized Cylons on the Syfy drama were nicknamed “toasters”).
Even if you’re not a fan of “Battlestar,” “Big Bang” has proved itself to be a dependable treat. The characters have become humanized and multidimensional, their relationships are believable and well-sketched, and the one-liners and jokes are consistently funny. (The ratings reflect the show’s creative upswing: “Big Bang Theory” has gotten its highest-ever ratings in its third season.) I especially enjoy that there are different flavors to the comedy. Some of the humor is quite whimsical or even silly, and plots don’t always go where you think: Howard Wolowitz’s recent blind date went from epic fail to total win once he and his date bonded about having overprotective mothers.
Something else to like: The show hasn’t made a huge deal over the relationship of Leonard and Penny, the pretty waitress who lives next door. Even though Leonard pined after Penny for two seasons, the romance hasn’t taken over the show. It has, however, become a dependable source of comedy that, thankfully, isn’t overly contrived or generically “sitcommy.”
But the show hasn’t forgotten its nerd roots either. As “Battlestar” and “Big Bang” fans know, Sackhoff’s appearance isn’t the first connection between the two shows.
Michael Trucco (“Battlestar’s” Sam Anders) played a studly love interest for Penny last season.
Stuntcasting is often detrimental to finely calibrated sitcoms, but Wil Wheaton, the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” actor, turned in an effective guest performance in the Oct. 19 episode of the show.
“Big Bang Theory” needs to go further. I would like to use this opportunity to promote my ongoing campaign to have Leonard Nimoy guest star on the show. “Big Bang” fans will recall that just receiving, as a weird but appropriate gift, a napkin that the “Star Trek” icon had used was one of the high points of Sheldon’s life.
So come on, “Big Bang” producers: Let’s have a Sheldon-Spock mind-meld. Who doesn’t want to see that?
Even without high-profile guest stars, the cast is so strong that even subplots about Rajesh and Wolowitz work well. Though Jim Parsons’ terrific work as Sheldon has been justifiably singled out for praise, all the actors, including perennial (and skilled) straight man Johnny Galecki as Leonard, turn in dependably good performances. This cast functions like a well-oiled machine.
Not unlike a Cylon.
