Big Bang Theory Nabs Stephen Hawking for Cameo

[vienna]

Right, they didn't just use his name and a copy of his voice synthesizing software or anything.

It was Hawking's real voice (as 'real' as his synthesized voice can be). The rules are very strict on U.S. TV about using a person's image or voice and representing the usage as real. The legal departments of the networks and TV production companies are very careful to not use images or voices without permission. An improper use can lead to costly litigation and the last thing networks and producer's want to do is spend money. This standard does not apply to "Fair Use" or parody uses; even then, most producers are careful to note "celebrity voice [or image] was impersonated" somewhere in the credits, where appropriate...


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