‘The Big Bang Theory’ season 7, episode 14 video: Sheldon meets James Earl Jones

Can we say that this sneak peek below from Thursday night’s “The Big Bang Theory” is delightful? Typically when they have celebrities on the show as themselves, they are painted in a light that suggests that they are either jaded, or annoyed when superfans approach them and ask a bazillion different questions about their job. We understand why, since there is a lot of great comedy that can come from that.

When it comes to James Earl Jones, however, we really like the choice to make him someone who is actually happy to talk with Sheldon for a change. The scene in the sneak peek, which features Jim Parsons’ character meeting him for the first time, actually feels like something that the actor, famous for Darth Vader on “Star Wars,” would do in real life. He is open and gracious to Sheldon, never mean, and even lets him sit down at his table while he is having dinner. This marks one of the first times that a big-name celebrity has actually been nice to him from the get-go without him having to hire him or do some sort of favor first.

Also, we love how this is basically James Earl Jones playing the character of what his fans expect him to be in person. We’re sure that when he is at home chatting with his friends, he doesn’t try to overly emphasize his deep, booming voice in the same way. But, he knows that this is what a fan like Sheldon wants to hear from him … along with him calling Leonard a “weenie” for thinking that he wouldn’t want to talk to him while at a restaurant.

With all of this being said, Jones is being exceptionally nice given that it is a bit of an unwritten rule to not mess with famous people while they are eating. After all, everyone deserves at least a couple of moments to enjoy themselves without having to be pestered for autographs and photos.

You can find out more of the story about Thursday’s “The Convention Conundrum” at the link here, and to get a bounty of great TV news sent to you every week, sign up for our CarterMatt Newsletter.

Photo: CBS