Is "Big Bang Theory" Bad for Science?

I know that many scientists (and at least one science blogger) really like the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The show is well-written and acted, has a half dozen funny one-liners per episode, and delivers a weekly helping of science and nerd culture in-jokes. In a recent episode, Howard the NASA scientist erased several hours of data from the Mars Rover after inviting a woman he had met in a bar to come back to his office and drive it. His pick up line: "Have you ever driven a car .... on Mars?" Funny stuff and mostly harmless, right? No. Not right. After watching several episodes on a recent cross-country flight, I've concluded that this show is bad for American Science. And here's why: Three of the four main characters are scientists with limited romantic prospects. Howard lives with his mother and inhabits an imaginary world where his Beatles ...