Topic: Mike Massimino on CBS's The Big Bang Theory
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2180 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 06-04-2012 05:25 PM
quote:Originally posted by dogcrew5369: I thought it ironic that fictionally Massimino is riding to the ISS on a Soyuz since in real life he is too tall to qualify!
Is he really too tall to fit on it? When T.J. Creamer got the ISS assignment, he made darn sure he could fit the Soyuz as HE knew he was at the upper limit.
After Parazynski got red flagged from Soyuz for being too tall, NASA managed to get the Russians to massage the inner dimensions of their Soyuz TMA design to fit astronauts of slightly taller builds such as Parazynski, Creamer and Anderson (among others).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-15-2012 11:14 PM
quote:Originally posted by p51: Seriously, there's no images anywhere of the mission patch for this show?
As of this evening, I am now the proud owner of a screen-used patch from the season finale of The Big Bang Theory. The Expedition 31 "Massimino - Резинов - Wolowitz" crew patch was offered as one of the silent auction lots at Space Camp's 30th anniversary gala held tonight in Huntsville, Ala.
dogcrew5369 Member
Posts: 503 From: Statesville, NC Registered: Mar 2009
posted 06-16-2012 07:57 AM
quote:Originally posted by Jay Chladek: Is he really too tall to fit on it?
Sorry, my bad. Thought I'd heard somewhere he was too tall, but I found this quote online dated 7/09/11. I actually watched this during STS-135 preparations, but this was behind scenes.
Astronaut Mike Massimino indicated to Greg Dobbs on HD-NET yesterday that he is currently taking lesssons in the Russian language. He also said that at 6 foot 3 inches, he is not too tall to fly in Soyuz.
james f. ruddy Member
Posts: 27 From: rancho mirage ca Registered: Nov 2008
posted 06-16-2012 02:22 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: As of this evening, I am now the proud owner of a screen-used patch from the season finale of The Big Bang Theory.
Congratulations Robert on getting the screen-used patch, or as Sheldon would say "BAZINGA".
On another note, I'm wearing my "Dr. Sheldon Cooper for President" t-shirt.
APG85 Member
Posts: 239 From: Registered: Jan 2008
posted 06-17-2012 12:18 AM
Astronaut Mike Massimino indicated to Greg Dobbs on HD-NET yesterday that he is currently taking lessons in the Russian language. He also said that at 6 foot 3 inches, he is not too tall to fly in Soyuz.
So, is this an indication that he will fly again?
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2180 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 06-17-2012 03:30 PM
He probably wants to fly again, but the decision won't entirely be his. A few other members of the astronaut office have been moved over into management and training roles, even though they would still like to fly again.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-13-2012 03:43 PM
XCOR Aerospace offered to fly Simon Helberg on their Lynx spaceplane. Instead The Big Bang Theory actor helped give away the flight at San Diego Comic-Con, the Associated Press reports.
Fans who lined up Friday to question the stars of CBS’ ”The Big Bang Theory” were given silver envelopes with one containing a ticket for a space flight from XCOR Aerospace on the Lynx Experience. It’s a two-seat launch vehicle that takes off and lands like a traditional aircraft.
The flight was first offered on stage by former NASA astronaut Richard Searfoss to co-star Simon Helberg. He declined. His character, Howard, blasted off into space at the end of the fifth season.
Posts: 94 From: tampa, florida, usa Registered: Mar 2012
posted 08-02-2012 07:49 PM
Just saw that news about the spaceflight to the lucky Big Bang fan. Very interesting indeed! Is there any projected time frame to when that may happen?
p51 Member
Posts: 675 From: Olympia, WA, USA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 08-02-2012 10:42 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: I am now the proud owner of a screen-used patch from the season finale of The Big Bang Theory.
Any chance for a good scan? I'd really like to see what it looks like!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-02-2012 10:47 PM
I'll be sharing the patch, and the complete story behind it, in an upcoming article on collectSPACE. Look for it to appear closer to when The Big Bang Theory returns for its sixth season on Sept. 27.
Victorinox New Member
Posts: 8 From: Miami, Florida, USA Registered: Jul 2012
posted 08-14-2012 05:31 PM
quote:Originally posted by p51: My wife refused to accept he was a real astronaut, especially since he was only ID'd by name on the show.
You may want to show her this. Cool movie, and you can see Mass playing with the Hubble.
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: XCOR Aerospace offered to fly Simon Helberg on their Lynx spaceplane. Instead The Big Bang Theory actor helped give away the flight at San Diego Comic-Con
This sounds very generous of him, but if you watch the video you will see that he successfully "pulled a Wolowitz," by starting to come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid going into space. It was actually Chuck Lorre who suggested giving the ride to a fan. Simon looked more scared than Howard!
I still can't believe someone would pass on an opportunity like this.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-14-2012 05:49 PM
The audience giveaway was the plan from the start; Helzberg's "refusal" and Lorre's "suggestion" were just for show...
Victorinox New Member
Posts: 8 From: Miami, Florida, USA Registered: Jul 2012
posted 08-14-2012 06:58 PM
Thanks for the clarification. That makes a lot more sense. I can't believe someone would pass on an opportunity like this, especially after the speech Simon gave about how cool going into space would be. By the way, XCOR published some pictures of the winner and TBBT cast touring their facilities on their Facebook page. Cool stuff.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-23-2012 03:52 PM
On the night that Curiosity arrived on Mars, The Big Bang Theory co-producers Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady were guests at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to watch the entry, descent and landing.
So it seems only fair that NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) EDL team would then visit the set of The Big Bang Theory.
englau Member
Posts: 94 From: tampa, florida, usa Registered: Mar 2012
posted 08-23-2012 11:10 PM
I apologise if this is an ignorant question, but what is the general time frame for when the winner's XCOR flight will take off?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-23-2012 11:21 PM
Quoting XCOR's website: "The Lynx Mark II is scheduled to enter flight service beginning in 2014."
p51 Member
Posts: 675 From: Olympia, WA, USA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 08-24-2012 12:27 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: So it seems only fair that NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) EDL team would then visit the set of The Big Bang Theory.
Note that the complete cast is there (including the guy who plays the comic book store owner, he's a secondary character at best). This says a lot, because usually the entire cast of a show is rarely all on the set at the same time (assuming this was even a filming day).
Mayim Bialik even has her hand all wrapped up still after her recent accident. It would have been too easy for the cast members to blow this off if it wasn't important, especially her after getting hurt.
To me, that shows how important it was to the cast to meet these people!
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2180 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 09-28-2012 01:16 AM
So, anyone else catch "Fruit Loops" in orbit tonight? Sure, the Soyuz was cool, but I think the producers did a decent job simulating what I think was a node/hab module on the ISS (it looked a bit cramped for Destiny, although that could have been their aim as well).
No Massimino sighting, although the Russian, Dmitiri was there ("I can't believe these people won the cold war."). I want to know how they managed to simulate the weightlessness as they did a pretty effective job with it (down to Howard launching a pen) for a 30 minute sitcom.
By the way, was Howard wearing an Expedition 35 shirt? It could have been Expedition 34, but I couldn't quite tell on my TV screen.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-28-2012 09:52 AM
quote:Originally posted by Jay Chladek: By the way, was Howard wearing an Expedition 35 shirt?
He's wearing an Expedition 31 shirt, based on the fictional patch created for the show (an article on that design is still coming to cS).
Mike Massimino will be reprising his role on the show during the next two episodes.
mach3valkyrie Member
Posts: 140 From: Albany, Oregon USA Registered: Jul 2006
posted 09-28-2012 12:23 PM
That was an excellent job of simulating zero-G. I look forward to more episodes.
AJ Member
Posts: 496 From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States Registered: Feb 2009
posted 09-28-2012 01:59 PM
Another fun episode and I particularly enjoyed Sheldon's comments about Howard's inability to appreciate his view.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-28-2012 02:09 PM
For those who missed, here's a clip:
The fictional aerospace engineer and Expedition 31 crew member was seen floating aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during last week's season premiere of the CBS hit television series "The Big Bang Theory." On this week's episode, airing tonight (Oct. 4), Wolowitz is still off the planet, 250 miles up.
Of course, he is not really on the space station. The real ISS Expedition 31 ended in July. Wolowitz, or rather actor Simon Helberg, was on a sound stage at the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, Calif.
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2180 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-04-2012 05:32 PM
Great article Robert. It was nice to hear the explanations on how they did the weightlessness (even Apollo 13 used similar methods for scenes that weren't filmed in the Vomit Comet).
thump Member
Posts: 555 From: washington dc usa Registered: May 2004
posted 10-05-2012 07:55 AM
Did I see that Howard was/is wearing a Voyager belt buckle? I only saw a quick glance last night, but thought that is what the buckle said...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-09-2012 08:10 PM
Indeed, that was a Voyager belt buckle, as confirmed by cS member thisisajob.
In other news, CBS announced today that Buzz Aldrin will make a cameo on The Big Bang Theory in the episode that airs on Thursday, Oct. 25.
LM1 Member
Posts: 362 From: New York, NY USA Registered: Oct 2010
posted 10-18-2012 11:16 PM
Tonight on the Big Bang Theory Howard returned to Earth. It was another great episode - great writing.
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2180 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-19-2012 07:45 AM
I see Howard was wearing a blue NASA jacket, shirt and hat tonight, complete with the mission patch on his arm and name tag. It might be interesting to see what his "astronaut wings" logo on his jacket looks like.
I am also curious if the scene with Howard, Mike and Dmitri reentering was filmed the same time they shot the season finale or if they actually did pack everyone inside the Soyuz set for a second filming session.
Yes, the writing was great (LOVED the Pictionary game, especially the "polish" bit). But I did think Howard bounced back physically a bit too fast from his time in orbit. Still, the story with the "cold" I think is going to be a major plot point, given how astronauts seem to be susceptible to infections due to a supressed immune response from time in space.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-19-2012 08:02 AM
quote:Originally posted by Jay Chladek: ...if they actually did pack everyone inside the Soyuz set for a second filming session.
According to my interview with the production designer, last night's Soyuz scene was shot separately from the season finale, which meant retrieving the Soyuz from the Paley Center, where it had been on display. I believe he said the Soyuz is now, or may be moved to where it can be seen on the studio lot tour.
AJ Member
Posts: 496 From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States Registered: Feb 2009
posted 10-25-2012 05:25 PM
Last-minute heads up: Buzz Aldrin will be making a cameo on tonight's Halloween-themed episode of The Big Bang Theory!
Wehaveliftoff Member
Posts: 728 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 10-26-2012 11:25 AM
Buzz Aldrin was on last The Big Bang Theory episode handing out candy to trick or treaters and bragging about being an astronaut who walked on the moon, funny.
Editor's note: Threads merged.
Ronpur Member
Posts: 131 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 10-26-2012 11:32 AM
quote:Originally posted by AJ: Last-minute heads up: Buzz Aldrin will be making a cameo on tonight's Halloween-themed episode of The Big Bang Theory!
I wish I could Trick-or-Treat at Buzz's house!!
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 1998 From: Toms River, NJ,USA Registered: Aug 2000
posted 10-26-2012 12:24 PM
Yes, but if you already had a bag of M&Ms and you wanted the Skittles offered by Buzz, he'd charge you a completion fee.
LM1 Member
Posts: 362 From: New York, NY USA Registered: Oct 2010
posted 10-26-2012 12:40 PM
Buzz Aldrin handing out candy on Halloween on The Big Bang Theory -
Buzz Aldrin's Halloween bucket would bring about $500 on eBay, if he autographs it.
AJ Member
Posts: 496 From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States Registered: Feb 2009
posted 10-26-2012 01:57 PM
The whole scene was funny, but his comment to the little fireman, "What have you done?" or something along those lines was hilarious.
MattJL Member
Posts: 57 From: New Jersey, US Registered: May 2012
posted 10-26-2012 02:58 PM
"This is a Moonpie. I walked on the Moon. What have you ever done?" had me in hysterics last night.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 26581 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-26-2012 03:03 PM
I also thought this scene from last night's episode was quite good.
[On edit: Unfortunately, CBS has removed the video from its YouTube channel; but was the opening to the episode in the comic book shop, showing Wolowitz gifting his "official NASA portrait" autographed and inscribed.]
I'm sure there are a few people here who wouldn't mind adding a Howard Wolowitz-signed Sokol portrait to their collection...
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2180 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-26-2012 05:24 PM
quote:Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo: Yes, but if you already had a bag of M&Ms and you wanted the Skittles offered by Buzz, he'd charge you a completion fee.
ROFL!!! Imagine the fee for a Milky Way, Mars bar AND a Moonpie?
lspooz Member
Posts: 52 From: Greensboro NC USA Registered: Aug 2012
posted 10-26-2012 11:49 PM
I missed the episode, so thanks for the cameo clip - GREAT stuff.
posted 06-04-2012 05:25 PM
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