Highlights

• Bill Nye was surprised by Bob Newhart's humility on The Big Bang Theory, calling the veteran actor a "consummate pro."
• The two legends bonded over comedy behind the scenes, with Nye admiring Newhart's timing and professionalism.
• Bob Newhart had specific conditions before agreeing to appear on TBBT, including shooting in front of a live audience and being a recurring character.

Looking back, The Big Bang Theory had some of the best guest stars in all of television. Bill Nye was among that list of stars, and he revealed how he really felt about appearing on The Big Bang Theory. In the following, we're going to take a closer look at his time on the show, particularly what it was like working with Bob Newhart.

We'll reveal why his work with the legendary actor wasn't what he expected. We're also going to reveal what the two chatted about behind the scenes.

We'll end things off by taking a closer look at how Bob Newhart ended up on The Big Bang Theory - and the conditions he gave prior to accepting his role on the show.

Let's take a closer look.

Bill Nye Was Surprised By How Bob Newhart Looked To Him As A Peer On TBBT

It was a moment fans dreamed of, with Bob Newhart and Bill Nye together on The Big Bang Theory. Fans got exactly that as Newhart returned to the show with Bill Nye as his archnemesis.

Although they were rivals on-screen, it was the complete opposite behind the scenes. Bill Nye admitted he wasn't sure what he would get with Bob Newhart. Ultimately, he was blown away by how humble the veteran actor was. Nye wasn't expecting that type of reaction out of Newhart.

He revealed, “I listened to Bob Newhart’s albums as a little kid."

"I was absolutely fascinated with his timing. He would be on the phone with Abraham Lincoln, and as a little kid, I’d think, ‘Wait you couldn’t do that, because there was no phone!’ His timing today strikes me as the same. I just love it. I love standing there waiting for him to lay it down at the perfect time. He’s the real deal. And he acts like I’m some peer—just like him. I don’t know what else to do so I just roll with it. ‘Yes, Bob, I’m an actor just like you.’”

There was great mutual respect between the two. Fans were ultimately the biggest beneficiaries, getting both legends on the small screen at once.

Bill Nye Said He Spoke To Bob Newhart About Comedy Behind The Scenes On TBBT

Speaking alongside Huff Post, Bill Nye revealed his very own Big Bang Theory. Nye discussed how he got on the show. Nye revealed he had spoken to Bill Prady years prior, and it seemed like the two getting together was a logical choice. As expected, Nye was also very familiar with the show. Adding to his experience, working with Newhart was quite the treat.

"It was just fantastic. The guy is just a consummate pro. I remember this one moment in the script where he's angry with me and he just scared the daylights out of me. He came at me, "Back off!" It was really cool. It was really exciting. Then I got into it. I had no trouble at all."

Nye called it a "gratifying" experience getting to work with the legend.

"I don't know. He brings it every time. It wasn't surprising that he's so good, but it was gratifying and fun to work with him. I didn't find out that he doesn't like green M&Ms or something. We didn't talk about that. We talked about comedy... Bob agreed to do Big Bang because he was so impressed with the writing."

Great to see the two legends hit it off behind the scenes, much to the delight of fans.

Bob Newhart Had Two Specific Conditions Before Agreeing To TBBT

Bob Newhart waited for the perfect project. Along the way, Newhart was also offered several pilots, but rightfully so, the actor deemed those too exhausting.

Once Big Bang came along, Newhart knew it was time for a return. However, he did have certain conditions Chuck Lorre needed to meet. Among them was getting to shoot in front of a live audience.

"No. 1, my scenes had to be taped live. There’s a tendency to pre-tape a lot of stuff and put a laugh track on it and you lose something. With Newhart, Lucy, Honeymooners, Mary Tyler Moore, and All in the Family it was always done in front of live audience. I always felt that the live audience gives it adrenaline."

As for his second condition, Newhart wanted to be a recurring character, another wish that was granted by Chuck Lorre throughout the show's run.

Newhart tells THR, "I wanted it to be a semi-recurring role. He was fine with both and later called me with the story of Professor Proton."

Newhart told THR the experience was like "going back in time." It made for great entertainment that the fans had a blast with.