[re reaction to
Big Bang: A Teoria (2007)] We don't just get mail. Scientists will come to the show and sit in the audience. We'll often use them as extras in the background during cafeteria scenes.
Stephen Hawking came once. He was happy to portray a version of himself who was petty and childish and enjoyed humiliating Sheldon at a game of online Scrabble. He played himself as a big baby. He didn't feel like he had to portray himself as a hero of science. That made me respect him even more, because he doesn't feel the need to pretend to be anything.
