Bob Newhart won his first and as of 2017 only Primetime Emmy for this episode. He was first nominated (for writing) in 1962.
He did not win the Emmy for this episode. He won for The Proton Resurgence (2013). He was, however, nominated for this episode.
He did not win the Emmy for this episode. He won for The Proton Resurgence (2013). He was, however, nominated for this episode.
Arthur Jeffries tells Leonard that if he'd known people would still be calling him Professor Proton at the age of eighty-three, he would never have given up smoking. Bob Newhart, who plays Dr. Jeffries, was a heavy smoker for years, until he was ordered by doctors to stop in 1985.
This episode probably best explains how Leonard can tolerate Sheldon's incessant patronizing and condescending behavior, by explaining that Sheldon "is not doing it on purpose. It's just how he is. Oh, but he's also loyal, and trustworthy and we have fun together. [...] Sheldon is the smartest person I've ever met. He's a little broke and he needs me. I guess I need him too." In The Staircase Implementation (2010), Leonard also explained that he owes Sheldon for preventing him from divulging government secrets to a North-Korean spy, and from dying in the explosion that destroyed the building's elevator.
Penny has trouble using tubes of glue, but not glue guns, as demonstrated in The Work Song Nanocluster (2009).
Bob Newhart reprised his role as Professor Proton (Arthur Jeffries) in Young Sheldon (2017) - episode 1.1, Pilot (2017).