Discuss The Big Bang Theory
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Top Guest Stars
posted by FormerlyKnownAsSTAFFMOD on August 12, 2017 at 11:32 AM
Was looking for stuff on the new Showrunner—Steve Holland— who is replacing Molaro now that he has moved over to helm “Young Sheldon”; but, stopped at this instead.
List of top TBBT guest stars:
-12. Stan Lee
-11. Stephen Hawking
-10. Adam West
-9. LeVar Burton
-8. Neil deGrasse Tyson
-7. Billy Bob Thornton
-6. Wil Wheaton
-5. Steve Wozniak
-4. Leonard Nimoy
-3. Carrie Fisher
-2. James Earl Jones
-1. Bob Newhart
--Surprised that “Lee” came in so low; expected him, at least, to be in the top 5—same with “Hawking”.
--Had forgotten that “Fisher” was on the show—maybe because it was little more than a cameo— would rank "Tyson" over her**.
--Isn’t it a misnomer to call “Wheaton” a guest—shouldn’t his status be upgraded to recurring by now? 
--Surprised that “Nimoy” made the list—since he was voice-only.
--Not at all surprised about “Newhart”—expected him to be #1 even before I started reading the list.
Any surprises—blatant omissions?
What say you?
Reply by bratface
on August 12, 2017 at 6:04 PM
Where's Elon Musk?
Reply by FormerlyKnownAs
on August 12, 2017 at 8:32 PM
I think he didn't make the list because his acting came across as wooden—so he wasn't much of a hit with fans. Also, I had to "close-caption" him because I had trouble understanding him; maybe others did too.
The man…impressive; the man's appearance on the show…not so much.
Reply by bratface
on August 12, 2017 at 9:29 PM
I only mentioned him because I had just seen that episode. I am not a regular watcher, can't stand Sheldon (I watch the reruns occasionally and but the TV on mute if Sheldon is the focus of a scene). I have only seen the show 'live' maybe 2 times.
Reply by Dark_Sithlord
on August 13, 2017 at 4:56 AM
Brent Spiner didn't make the list which surprises me since Data is such a fan favourite. I'm surpised Stan Lee came in at 12, and Carrie Fisher came in pretty high at 3 considering she was on the show for 10 seconds, but I think her untimely passing may have garnnered some extra-consideration votes. For the same reason, I would have ranked Adam West higher. RIP, Carrie and Adam.
Adam Nimoy maybe should have made the list over his father since Adam's was a true guest appearance. And I agree about Wheaton: he's way beyond "guest star status".
I enjoyed the performance of the guy who played Penny's father, one of the Carradine brothers...I forget which. He was pretty funny.
Reply by CalabrianQueen
on August 13, 2017 at 12:40 PM
I know she they aren't considered by many to be "stars" but I love Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci and their appearances to me are guest star appearances.
I'm only disappointed that they never appeared on the same episode to close the show with an Garfunkel and Oates original.
Reply by ArcticFox12
on August 13, 2017 at 3:05 PM
I'm not big on the Bob Newhart guest spot and don't really get the appeal. I believe it was Keith Carradine of the famed Carradine bros who played Penny's father. He was my favorite.
Reply by FormerlyKnownAs
on August 13, 2017 at 4:02 PM
Newhart is to sitcom as Nimoy is to SciFi.
Reply by FormerlyKnownAs
on August 13, 2017 at 4:13 PM
I guess technically they are guest "stars"; it is just that when it comes to the show they probably don't have anywhere near the Q-Rating the others have with the fans.
As for closing the show with a G&O original; how about an in-show scene where there is a battle-of-the-bands and they go up against Raj and Howard?
Just curious--where would you place them on the list?
Reply by FormerlyKnownAs
on August 13, 2017 at 4:22 PM
I think with him it probably was more about him being an unknown entity. All the others are well-known-well-followed. Also, although he was on the show--he really wasn't the major focus--it was Sheldon's episode. (Plus, Wheaton was there sucking up part of the spotlight. I mean that in a good way.)
Reply by Knixon
on August 13, 2017 at 5:24 PM
Since it seems like they might also write Raj and Howard's song, that's kinda them competing against themselves.
Reply by znexyish
on August 13, 2017 at 8:04 PM
Where are George Takei, Katie Sackhoff, and Summer Glau ? Only the best guests ever. Or the guy who was a fan of Footsteps on the Moon or that other guy who didn't want Leonard and Raj to know who he was. Sorry their names escape me right now.
Reply by Dark_Sithlord
on August 13, 2017 at 8:51 PM
Takei, Katie, and Summer! They all should have been up there top 12, for sure.
Reply by ArcticFox12
on August 14, 2017 at 8:51 AM
I know but the way the writers use him is extraordinarily boring. The deadpan is only funny for so long, and there are comedians who have mastered the craft much better. The kid he influenced most, Steven Wright actually became better at it, but I guess he was too busy narrating K Billy's super sounds of the 70s to get the Lorre nod.
Reply by FormerlyKnownAs
on August 14, 2017 at 9:39 AM
"George Takei, Katie Sackhoff, and Summer Glau" - How would you rank them. (Takei came to mind when I saw the list; but never thought of Sackhoff and Glau.)
If their names escaped you; maybe they also escaped others, which could be why they didn't make the list.
Reply by znexyish
on August 14, 2017 at 1:46 PM
George and Katie as a duo are in the top number ranking. Summer too. I might put all three in a tie because Summer might just break my phone like she did Howards, being a Terminator and all.