“We have a physics consultant”: When The Big Bang Theory’s ‘Amy’ Mayim Bialik revealed how the show gets science right

The Big Bang Theory was one of the most-watched sitcoms during its run, famous for making geek culture and science look fun. But how did the show make sure that its references were scientific? Mayim Bialik, who acted as Amy Farrah Fowler, a neuroscientist on the show, shared insight into this during an interview with The Guardian.

Bialik, a PhD holder in neuroscience, explained that the program had a dedicated physics consultant to ensure the scientific validity of its content. She said,

"We actually have a physics consultant, Dr David Saltzberg. He is from UCLA and he’s the one who is in charge of all that.

The show's devotion to science was also reinforced by the fact that several of its writers were science-trained. As Bialik stated,

"A lot of our writers have science backgrounds and everything is Google-able so a lot of their stuff comes from the internet too. All of our writers are really bright"

This guaranteed that although the show was essentially a comedy, its scientific material was still factually accurate.

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The physics consultant's role

The Big Bang Theory featured Dr. David Saltzberg, a UCLA physics professor, as its sole science consultant. His responsibility was to verify the scientific conversations and theories discussed in the series.

Bialik highlighted the significance of his role, saying,

"It is very important for our show and for our producers that we do that."

Saltzberg gave precise equations, formulas, and scientific jargon. He also reviewed the whiteboards that were visible in the background of many scenes to make sure they had valid scientific material. This level of detail made The Big Bang Theory a show that honored and portrayed science accurately.

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How Science was incorporated into The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory included quite a few scientific discussions, ranging from physics and engineering to neurobiology and microbiology. Bialik, who portrayed a neurobiologist, noted it was important that the show featured several women in science positions. She said,

She [Amy] was written as a female version of Jim Parsons’s character [Sheldon Cooper, Amy’s love interest]. There are things she and I are similar in, the way we approach thinking and our appreciation for science, but she is pretty much a character.

"The Bernadette character on The Big Bang Theory is a microbiologist so I am proud that on our show we have two different kinds of women: one wears pretty dresses and gets to have pretty things in her hair and one is the Amy character who’s a lot more simple. Both are versions of scientists so, yeah, I think it is tremendous."

The representation of scientists in a socially engaged setting also defied stereotypes. Bialik says,

"A lot of people believe in [the] stereotype, but we hope that The Big Bang Theory is changing the way people think of nerds and geeks by showing them having active social lives and relationships. I think that is an important way to portray them."

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Encouraging more Women in Science

Bialik also addressed the challenges women face in scientific careers. She acknowledged the ongoing discussion about the “leaky pipeline” of women in STEM fields, where many leave due to structural barriers. She said,

“That’s a larger question for people other than me; I’m not an anthropologist or a sociologist. But that’s part of why I do the work I do with Texas Instruments [as a brand spokesperson] – to try and encourage young people at an early age to sort of prepare for what a career might look like, which we would hope would involve the ability for them to have more confidence and more resources."

She stressed the importance of more resources for women, particularly as they plan to have families.

"I think women do need a lot more resources especially as we get to the age when we want to start families and things; those are things that even though men have to make those decisions it is very different for women because we are the ones whose bodies literally have to stop and make it happen."

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The Big Bang Theory was not only a comedy but a show that honored science. With a full-time physics consultant in Dr. David Saltzberg and science-trained writers, the program ensured accuracy in its presentation of scientific conversations.