The Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science Bestows Honorary
Memberships to The Big Bang Theory Creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady

TORONTO, Oct. 7 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science (the RCI) is pleased to announce today that it has awarded an Honorary Membership in the RCI to Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, executive producers and co-creators of the hit television series The Big Bang Theory. The RCI, founded in 1849, is Canada's oldest scientific organization and is dedicated to promoting the public's understanding of science primarily through public lectures, scholarships, and the Sir Sandford Fleming medal for science communication. Jim Parsons (Sheldon), Simon Helberg (Howard), and Kunal Nayyar (Raj) of The Big Bang Theory are accepting the award on their behalf following the taping of Live at etalk: The Big Bang Theory in Toronto. The special tapes this afternoon from CTV's Queen St. HQ. 

"We are honoring Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and the entire Big Bang Theory team for creating a television program that seamlessly melds science and everyday life," said Bruce Gitelman, President, RCI. "The program exposes the public in an entertaining way to the awe and wonder of science and life in general. As the number one series in Canada today, it not only makes science accessible to the public but also entertains many practicing scientists."

In a statement, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady said: "Messrs. Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady do, with great humility, accept Honorary Membership in the Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science.

Those who toil in the field of science often wait patiently for their work to be acknowledged.  Einstein, for example, waited years for the Nobel committee to bestow its award for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.  In light of this, your honorees harbor no resentment that it has taken the Institute decades to reach across the border and recognize Mr. Lorre for his groundbreaking fourth grade work in neurology entitled "How Smart is the Human Brain? (An Extra-Credit Project)" and Mr. Prady for his definitive exploration of zoological ophthalmology in the seventh grade science fair entry, "Dissecting a Calf's Eye."

As members, your honorees pledge to do everything in their power to advance the interests of Canadian scientists in the global community.  For example, every time someone uses a telephone, they will note:  "Did you know that was invented by Alexander Graham Bell, a Canadian scientist?"  They will also look on Wikipedia and find names of other Canadian scientists to talk about.

Finally, while Messrs. Lorre and Prady are baffled as to why such an august group would seek to honor them, they are truly thrilled you have done so."

About THE BIG BANG THEORY:

TV's hottest comedy and #1 scripted series on U.S. television among Adults 18-49 was nominated for eight Emmy® Awards, including a recent win for Jim Parsons (Sheldon) for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and the 2010 People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy. Created by Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men) and Bill Prady (Dharma & Greg), who executive produce along with Lee Aronshon (Two and a Half Men), the series stars Johnny Galecki (Roseanne), Jim Parsons (Garden State), Kaley Cuoco (8 Simple Rules … for Dating My Teenage Daughter), Simon Helberg (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip) and Kunal Nayyar (NCIS). Produced by Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, the hit comedy series is distributed around the world by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.

About the RCI:

The Royal Canadian Institute (RCI) for the Advancement of Science is the oldest scientific society in Canada. This not-for-profit organization was founded in Toronto in 1849 by a small group of civil engineers, architects and surveyors led by Sandford Fleming (1827-1915). By its Royal Charter of Incorporation, granted on 4 November 1851, the RCI was charged with the "encouragement and general advancement of the Physical Sciences, the Arts and Manufactures...and more particularly for promoting...Surveying, Engineering and Architecture..." Today, the RCI fulfils its mission of enhancing public awareness about science in several ways, although it is best known for its public lectures, held on Sunday afternoons in the fall and winter at the University of Toronto. The speakers come from many scientific disciplines, and audience participation is encouraged through a question period and opportunity for discussion with the speaker after the lectures. Membership in the RCI is open to anyone. Visit the institute's web site at http://www.royalcanadianinstitute.org.

About CTV:

CTV, Canada's Olympic Network, is also Canada's largest private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV is Canada's most-watched television network. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country and owns or has interests in leading national specialty channels, featuring news, sports, factual, arts, entertainment, music, youth and fashion programming. Official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad, CTV Inc. is owned by CTVglobemedia Inc., Canada's premier multi-media company, which also owns Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail. More information about CTV may be found on the network's website at www.ctv.ca.

For further information:

Bruce Gitelman, President, RCI
[e-mail]
416.398.1339
Kathy Carter, Executive Secretary, RCI 
[e-mail]
416.962.7314
Jim Quan, CTV Inc.
[e-mail]
416.384.5311