Charlie Sheen’s brief and impactful cameo in The Big Bang Theory quickly eclipsed the show’s main stars in just a few moments.
Chuck Lorre’s hit CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory has had numerous guest appearances throughout its long run. And among the multiple guest stars, Lorre also invited the star of his other successful sitcom, Charlie Sheen from Two and a Half Men.
And the actor did not fail to deliver in his brief yet memorable appearance as he managed to steal the spotlight, even outshining the show’s leading stars like Jim Parsons and Kunal Nayyar.
Charlie Sheen’s brief yet impactful cameo in The Big Bang Theory
Before the fallout between Charlie Sheen and Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre, Sheen made a brief but memorable appearance in Lorre’s other hit sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, during its second season episode, The Griffin Equivalency.
The episode follows Kunal Nayyar’s Raj, who becomes increasingly obnoxious after learning he’s been named in People magazine’s ’30 Visionaries Under 30′ list for his discovery of the trans-Neptunian object 2008 NQ17.
As Raj’s ego grows with his newfound fame, his friends begin to resent him and refuse to attend the reception party with him, except Penny, who Raj mistakenly assumes is going on a date with him.
In one of the scenes from the episode, Raj brags to his friends about his achievement at the Cheesecake Factory. After his friends decide to leave him to nurse his inflated ego, he turns to the person at the next table and boasts about being featured in People magazine.
However, the person on the table turns out to be none other than the Emmy-nominated actor Charlie Sheen, who delivers a sharp retort, saying, “Call me when you’re on the cover.”
Sheen, who was already a well-established star easily outshined The Big Bang Theory stars like Jim Parsons and Kunal Nayyar with his quick wit, confident delivery, and effortless charisma.
Sheen also collaborated with Lorre in the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men before the actor spiraled down in controversies, eventually causing his exit from the sitcom.
Charlie Sheen did not have anything pleasing to say about The Big Bang Theory
Charlie Sheen’s time on Two and a Half Men came to an abrupt end after the actor made a series of controversial remarks about the show’s creator, Chuck Lorre. His disdain for the showrunner appeared to have extended beyond Two and a Half Men and even affected his views on other Lorre-produced sitcoms, including The Big Bang Theory.
Years after his brief cameo on the show, the actor harshly criticized The Big Bang Theory, calling it “stupid,” “lame,” and “a piece of sh*t.” While promoting his show Anger Management, the actor suggested how his show paved the way for the following sitcoms.
In an interview with The Guardian, he also further insinuated that The Big Bang Theory might not have survived without lead-in shows like his.
You gotta think about the shows that my show launched — I’m sorry, but Big Bang Theory is a piece of sh*t – it’s a stupid show and it’s just lame, about lame people. I like the kids in it, but that show without us as a lead-in is… goodbye.
Sheen did not stop there and extended his criticism to the show’s creator Chuck Lorre offering a subtle jab, saying,
And I’m rooting for those kids, because I know who they’re dealing with. The fact that they’re still sane is crazy. You know? He’s a bad man. And I’ve backed off from him for a while.
While his statement ahead of his exit from Two and a Half Men and after his cameo in The Big Bang Theory did cause a stir between him and Lorre, the two have since reconciled. And Sheen also made a cameo appearance in Lorre’s comedy TV series, The Bookie.
