The Big Bang Theory season 11: Is Sheldon the new Professor Proton?
It’s been well-established on both the flagship show and even now on the Young Sheldon spin-off that Dr. Sheldon Cooper’s hero is none other than Professor Proton — the children’s science TV host who really helped him significantly through much of his formative years. Without Professor Proton Sheldon wouldn’t be the brilliant scientist that he is today, and he owes a great deal of everything he is to the man.
The original Professor Proton was played by the legendary Bob Newhart, who won an Emmy for the role and has appeared a number of times — even after the character’s death as a ghostly Obi-Wan Kenobi like figure. He’s been a valuable source of guidance for Sheldon at various points of his life, and now Sheldon wants to do something to apparently pay his own love of Professor Proton forward: He wants to become the man he so idolized.
Per TVLine (who supplied the photo you can see above) the November 2 episode is going to feature Sheldon doing his best to audition in order to become the new version of the Professor. This includes him dressing up as the character and showing it off to Amy. Of course, we think that there is probably a part of Sheldon interested in helping some children out there who could feel as though Professor Proton is their new beacon of science — but more than that, we feel like this is probably just going to be a huge ego trip for Jim Parsons’ character. He would love to be the new Professor Proton just because it would make him feel special and adored, which is something that he’s always felt he deserved.
One of the things that could be useful about Sheldon becoming this character at this point in his life — provided it sticks — is that it would give him a new purpose. He’s becoming disengaged as of late with what he is currently doing in his life, and for good reason: Nobody seems to be altogether invested or interested in physics at the moment, he isn’t making any huge advancements, and he is also wondering if it is a great use of his time. He also has to wrestle with Amy getting a good bit more attention these days for her own achievements — she’s in a flashier field, is making accomplishments, and also has a little more funding than he does as a result of all of this.
Could you see Sheldon being the new Professor Proton?
Or, do you think that this would blow up in his face the first time that he had to be around children for longer than a few minutes? Sound off in the comments!
Also, you can click here in the event you do want to get some more news when it comes to The Big Bang Theory and what lies ahead on Monday! You can also like us on Facebook to book even more big news when it comes to the show. (Photo: CBS.)