Plot

Sheldon and Wil Wheaton both go head-to-head for the role of the new Professor Proton, Meanwhile Penny takes care of Halley when Bernadette and Howard are on bed rest.

Sheldon learns that the Professor Proton show is being resurrected. He believes that he would make the perfect twenty-first century Professor Proton, a character he loves. The problem that he doesn't quite understand is that he has contempt for his potential audience, namely impressionable young children. When Penny likens what he needs to do in his audition tape is akin to acting, he decides to get some professional assistance in that matter, which leads to unintended consequences for him. Meanwhile, Howard has just got a vasectomy. His recuperation coincides with Bernadette being told by her physician that she requires total bed rest for a few days in being run off her feet, in part in waiting on Howard. The person who volunteers to help look after Halley in both Bernadette and Howard being incapacitated is Penny, who they don't really trust in the role of baby sitter.—Huggo

At a typical take-out dinner fest in apartment 4A, Howard is scarfing down his meal since he has surgery in the morning. He is getting a vasectomy. Sheldon finds out that Professor Proton's (Bob Newhart) children's science show is going to be remade and it needs a new host. Amy thinks that it would be nice to have a woman. Sheldon snaps that they already have "Ghostbusters" and "Doctor Who". Sheldon describes the best candidate as a scientist that he respects, a pleasant voice, symmetrical facial features. Sheldon adds that as a child Professor Proton touched him, so it is his mission to touch as many children as possible.

Howard is nervously sitting in the hospital waiting room. One gentleman coming out in pain doesn't help him. Bernadette reminds Howard that it was his idea.

In apartment 4B, Amy sets up the video camera for Sheldon's audition tape as the next Professor Proton. He demonstrates his interested, very interested and enraged facial expressions. He introduces himself in a monotone voice. He then discussed his experiment to determine the mass of an electron that includes common items and some radioactive cobalt wire. Amy stops him and asks why he was doing an experiment that was life-threatening which enrages Sheldon since he considered it a perfect take.

In the Wolowitzes' bedroom, Bernadette is helping a very sore Howard into bed for a couple of days of bed rest. Halley cries over their baby monitor. Bernadette leaves to check on her as Raj is reading that they need to check Howard's surgery for redness and swelling. In pain, Howard just tells Raj to do it.

At Leonard and Penny's place, they are all viewing Sheldon's audition video as Sheldon describes a complex mathematical process on his whiteboard. Amy had told Sheldon that she loved it though she thought it was dangerous and three to four times too long. Leonard told him that at least it looked like he was having fun. Sheldon objects because that was what Leonard would say after one of Penny's terrible plays. Amy then asked whether they found it borderline psychotic. Leonard adds that the original Professor Proton did not leave you feeling that you hated science and that he needs to stop showing his contempt for children. Sheldon realizes that he needs some help from an experienced actor. Penny is flattered that he would consider her till Sheldon says that he meant Wil Wheaton. He goes over to his house and says that he needs an acting coach. Wil is happy to help until Sheldon asks for Patrick Stewart's phone number.

Bernadette hears a bell and finds that Howard downloaded a bell app. She takes his phone from him and tells him to come catch her. She is heading out for a doctor's appointment and is taking the baby.

Leonard, Penny and Amy are coming up the stairs with Amy mentioning that they cast the new Professor Proton. Was Sheldon cast? Amy says "Not exactly." as from her apartment you hear Sheldon shout, "WWHHEEAATTOONN!!!"

Howard comes out of the bathroom and finds Bernadette in the bed. The doctor thought she was pushing herself too far and recommended bed rest for her too.

Sheldon is dreaming and again meets Professor Proton in his Jedi robes on another planet. Arthur asks whether Sheldon understands what "rest in peace" means. Sheldon explains that they are recasting Professor Proton. Sheldon wants to protect the Professor's legacy which Arthur reminds him that he finished his series at 5:30 AM on a Sunday morning being beaten in the ratings by "Davey and Goliath". Arthur may not care; however, Sheldon will make Wil Wheaton rue the day they ever met. Arthur figures that that is true of everyone.

Penny checks in on the Wolowitzes. Halley cries so she offers to check on her since Raj had to go to work and was tired of Howard's Indian servant jokes. Penny offers to help out with her though they are reluctant since they don't think she is a baby person. Penny gets cross with them that she can watch their stupid baby. If she cries, she'll pick it up. If she is hungry, she'll give her a bottle. If she poops, she'll light incense.

In the Caltech cafeteria, Raj and Leonard are discussing Howard's surgery. Sheldon is upset with all the great comments that Wil Wheaton is getting about being the new Professor Proton. Sheldon asks them to make some disparaging comments on the subject. Leonard feels that the important thing is to get kids interested in science.

Back in the bedroom, Howard and Bernadette are appreciating the quiet time in bed before they have two screaming babies in the house. They inquire with Penny who said that all is fine while joking about giving Halley a couple of drops of Bourbon on her pacifier for her sleep (Penny doesn't share bourbon).

Sheldon approaches Wil Wheaton's house and asks him to give up the Professor Proton role especially since he is not a scientist. Wil replies that he wasn't on a star-ship, he kept pretending he was and got himself a mansion. Also, Wil retorts that Arthur Jeffries would probably be happy to know that his show outlived him. He also promised to make the show great and to inspire future kids to go into science. Sheldon is not persuaded and tells him that he is back on his enemies list and that they are no longer friends.

Penny is mixing up a bottle as Amy arrives. Penny wants to know if she is spying on her for Bernadette. They don't think that Penny is irresponsible, just "fun-loving".

Up in the bedroom, the parents are getting hungry themselves. Howard reads the book "Numerical Approximation Methods" (by Harold Cohen) and Bernadette rings the bell app and Penny comes in. She complains about Amy stopping by. Howard says that even though she was a terrible waitress, they asked her to get a snack. The baby cries so Penny leaves. Over the monitor Penny can be heard complaining to Halley about her parents. Then Halley says her first word and calls Penny, "Mama."

Back in Sheldon's dreams Sheldon tells Arthur that he failed him since Wil Wheaton, a non-scientist, was going to portray Professor Proton. Arthur wonders why they couldn't visit a deli. Sheldon adds that Wil is permanently on his enemies list. Arthur wants to know if anyone can sign up for that list.

Title reference: The announced reboot of the Professor Proton series.