The Proton Resurgence Season 6, Episode 22 -  Aired May 2, 2013

The Proton Resurgence

When Sheldon discovers his childhood hero, Professor Proton - a former TV science show host, is available for children's parties, Sheldon and Leonard hire him to perform for them. Meanwhile, Howard and Bernadette take care of Raj's dog.

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Guest Stars: Bob Newhart as Professor Proton - Arthur Jeffries, Ian Reed Kesler as Paramedic #1, Troy Winbush as Paramedic #2

Writers: Chuck Lorre (Story), Jim Reynolds (Story), Steve Holland (Story), Steven Molaro (Teleplay), Eric Kaplan (Teleplay), Maria Ferrari (Teleplay)

Director: Mark Cendrowski

Viewers: 16.29 million Households Rating: 9.7/17 Adults 18-49 Rating: 4.9/17

Available on iTunes

Episode Notes

  • The title refers to the return of Professor Proton to Sheldon and Leonard's lives.
  • Bob Newhart won the first Emmy of his five-decade career for this episode, taking home the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series award in 2013.

> Soft Kitty

In a hospital room following his health scare, Sheldon sings "Soft Kitty" to Professor Proton. When Sheldon offers to sing it for him again, Arthur tells him the fourth time was the charm.

Episode Quotes

Bernadette: Can't believe we lost her. What was I thinking? I'd be a terrible mom.
Howard: Well, maybe with the first one. But kids are like pancakes. The first one's always a throwaway.

Professor Proton: I'm having trouble with my pacemaker.
Leonard: I'll call for help.
Penny: Any chance we could plug it into the potato?
Professor Proton: No.

Professor Proton: Okay, as, as I put the egg on top, and, and the flame goes out and, and, and the air pressure decreases in, in the flask, what do you think will happen?
Penny: I think I know.
Sheldon: It's gonna get sucked in. It's going to get sucked in.
Penny: Okay, I didn't know.
Sheldon: Yes!
Penny: See, I'm not a scientist like them.
Professor Proton: I, I figured that out.

Howard: How'd you get him to come to your house?
Sheldon: As Professor Proton always says, there is no problem you can't solve if you use your noggin.
Leonard: And he wrote him a check.
Sheldon: Yeah, that too. A big check.

Sheldon: Professor Proton hosted my favorite science show when I was a child. I never missed an episode. He demonstrated scientific principles using everyday objects.
Leonard: It was pretty cool.
Penny: Aw, it's so cute when you use the word cool wrong. Like when kids say pasgetti.

News Stories

Title Date Posted
Episode 6.22 Ratings May 6, 2013

Last week's episode of The Big Bang Theory, featuring guest star Bob Newhart, finished first in the ratings for its time slot and ranked as the night's highest-rated and most-watched broadcast.  Full story

CBS Announces Episode 6.22: Bob Newhart guests April 11, 2013

CBS has issued the press release for the May 2 episode of The Big Bang Theory. Legendary comedian and actor Bob Newhart guest stars as Professor Proton in this episode.  Full story

Recap

As Penny and Leonard torment Sheldon with a toy missile launcher, Sheldon is surprised to find that Professor Proton, the host of his favorite science show as a child, is available to hire. Leonard, who was also a fan of Professor Proton growing up, admits it would be fun to hang out with him, so Sheldon decides to email him. Later, at the university cafeteria, Raj asks Howard if he and Bernadette would look after Cinnamon as he'll be working at the lab all weekend. An elated Sheldon arrives and explains that Professor Proton will be coming to their house.

Raj stops by Howard and Bernadette's apartment to drop her off. Elsewhere, Sheldon is too excited to sleep ahead of meeting Professor Proton. The next day, Howard and Bernadette return from a trip to the park with Cinnamon. Bernadette admits she enjoyed feeling like a real family and wonders whether, despite never seeing herself as a mom, they could be like that one day. When Howard finds Cinnamon is missing, they argue over whose job it was to put her back in her stroller.

As Sheldon and Leonard wait excitedly for Professor Proton to arrive, Sheldon receives a phone call from him, explaining he is waiting on the third floor landing. Sheldon, Leonard and Penny go down to meet him. Arthur is a little worried Sheldon might be dangerous, but Leonard assures him he's actually a genius. When Leonard introduces Arthur to Penny, he's impressed and thinks Leonard is the genius. Back in the apartment, Arthur is confused by the two physicists wanting to see a children's science show. Meanwhile, Howard and Bernadette drive around looking for Cinnamon.

When Professor Proton grows tired performing the science demonstrations, he offers the guys their money back as he's had enough. After Arthur says he doesn't want to be Professor Proton any more, Sheldon and Leonard tell him how much he and his show meant to them as children. Arthur begins to experience chest pain and Leonard calls for help. Elsewhere, Raj receives a call to say somebody has found Cinnamon. 

The paramedics decide to take Arthur to a hospital for a few tests just to be safe. Sheldon offers to go with Arthur in the ambulance, while Leonard and Penny decide to collect his stuff and meet him at the hospital. Meanwhile, Howard and Bernadette return home having being unable to find Cinnamon. When Raj phones Howard, he lies and pretends Bernadette's taken Cinnamon out for a walk. Raj reveals that he has Cinnamon and is angry at them for losing her dog. When Bernadette finds out Raj had her for hours and didn't tell them, she tells him he should be ashamed for not telling them while they were worried sick. Howard congratulates Bernadette on her guilt trip, telling her she'll make an amazing mom.

Sheldon sings Soft Kitty to Arthur at the hospital. When Arthur tells Sheldon he's booked to do a children's party tomorrow, Sheldon offers to do the show as Professor Proton, Jr.