The Big Bang Theory Episode That Left Simon Helberg Dumbfounded

The Big Bang Theory Scene That Left Simon Helberg Absolutely Gobsmacked

Simon Helberg, the actor behind Howard Wolowitz, has had his fair share of cringe-worthy moments playing one of television’s most awkward engineers. But one particular episode stands out as the one that truly tested his professional composure.

The Device That Made Even Howard Blush

In season 2’s episode titled “The Infestation Hypothesis”, Leonard attempts to maintain a long-distance relationship with Priya via webcam. Trouble is, their connection keeps stalling—just as things get steamy. Desperate for a workaround, Leonard relies on Howard’s ingenuity. The result? A bizarre, mechanical “kissing machine” with two simulated mouths, allowing people to “make out” from opposite ends of the world.

Leonard wisely opts out—but Howard and Raj, always up for a challenge, decide to test it themselves. What follows is a hilariously awkward moment: they lean in and literally kiss a pair of metal lips.

A Behind-the-Scenes Breakdown

When Helberg first tackled the scene, he admits he lost it—literally. During rehearsal, he couldn’t keep a straight face and found himself laughing so hard, tears came to his eyes. The device looked so bizarre—and Helberg so candidly recollects how even a prop assistant spraying disinfectant couldn’t salvage the moment. “This is disgusting at its core,” he thought to himself, and couldn’t help but break character.

His reaction shows that while Howard might be oblivious to social norms, the actor playing him wasn’t immune to the absurdity—even if it made for classic Big Bang Theory comedy.

Scene Highlights