One of many measures of a profitable sitcom is the power to draw star-power cameos from associated media. You’ll be able to decide the enduring reputation of “The Massive Bang Principle” via the variety of Star Trek cameos it boasted by the tip of its 12-season run. The present included visitor appearances from the likes of Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, and George Takei — and, in fact, Wil Wheaton (aka Professor Proton) had a recurring function as himself, too.
One coveted cameo that eluded the present for a very long time, although, was the long-lasting, unique “Star Trek” Captain James T. Kirk, i.e., William Shatner.
By the point season 10 got here out, Shatner had publicly clarified that regardless of the style match, he hadn’t proven up on the present as a result of he wasn’t proud of the writing for a possible half. In a 2019 interview with the New York Put up, the present’s govt producer and showrunner, Steve Holland, clarified, “For one motive or one other it did not fairly work out, whether or not it was scheduling or no matter.” Holland added that going into the present’s ultimate season, Shatner remained excessive on their celeb want record. The holdout caved within the present’s waning days, and Shatner agreed to make a chronic and repeated visitor look in season 12, episode 16, “The D&D Vortex.” Within the episode, the “Star Trek” icon performs a parody of himself as a member of Wil Wheaton’s coveted celeb D&D group. The issue that satisfied Shatner to lastly present up? Performing with Kaley Cuoco once more.
Shatner needed to do a scene together with his appearing buddy Kaley Cuoco
Within the New York Put up interview, showrunner Steve Holland clarified that it was the possibility to behave with Kaley Cuoco once more that obtained Shatner absolutely on board with approaching the present. In Holland’s personal phrases, “I believe what modified going into the ultimate season is that he is aware of [series co-star] Kaley [Cuoco] from doing [Priceline] commercials collectively and so they’re pleasant. Once I obtained on the cellphone, one of many issues he requested was, ‘Will I get to play a scene with Kaley?'”
In a profession suffering from nice roles exterior of sci-fi, one in all Shatner’s most iconic roles has been because the Priceline Negotiator. He is been launched to a number of generations as the person seeking one of the best deal — and in a few of these commercials through the years, his character’s daughter has gotten in on the resort deal-brokering motion. That next-gen value shopper was performed by Cuoco, and Shatner clearly loved appearing alongside the “The Massive Bang Principle” star. When he heard that his visitor look on her present meant he would get one other shot to behave with Cuoco, it was a proposal too good to refuse, and, properly, the remaining was historical past.
