TV Science: Real or Not Real?

Fans of popular shows like Bones, House M.D., or The Big Bang Theory are probably used to the characters dropping names and terms that don’t make sense until one of the other characters translates. Fans are also probably used to seeing scenes of things most people don’t usually see, such a doctor performing surgery or a victim being identified. But exactly how accurate are shows like Bones and The Big Bang Theory? The science in popular TV shows like Bones, Chicago Med, and The Big Bang Theory, is kept as true as possible by real life scientists and experts.

Bones, a crime procedural drama focusing on forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan and FBI agent Seeley Booth, has its science checked by Donna Cline. Cline has a master's degree in biomedical illustration, and works as a storyboard artist and medical advisor for Bones. As a medical advisor, she not only works with the actors, but also the writers, leaders of makeup, visual effects, and wardrobe. Part of her job includes showing the cast how to properly use tools and educating them on the science terms in their scripts.

In the show Chicago Med, a medical drama centering on the emergency department of the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, Andrew Dennis is the go to person for medical accuracy. As a trauma and burn surgeon, he's Chicago Med's medical advisor. Similarly to Cline, he works with the writers to review scripts to make sure they are as realistic as possible. In an article from Science News for Students, he says that "Our rule is that if it's published somewhere, it's fair game, as farfetched as it might be."

BBT: And of course, The Big Bang Theory, a show about physicists Leonard and Sheldon also has its own fact checker: David Salzberg. A physics and astronomy professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, Salzberg helps by making sure that the dialogue, diagrams, and pictures are correct. He’s also the person who writes the equations on the whiteboard seen in the boys’ apartment. However, he doesn’t work alone. He consults with neuroscientist Mayim Bialik, who plays Amy Farrah Fowler on the show, on all things life science related. In addition to speaking with other experts, he makes sure to keep up to date on news from the American Physical Society.

Of course, no show is completely accurate, despite the efforts of its cast and crew. Some of the scenes, terms, and even parts of the job are tweaked so that the audience can further enjoy the show.

For example, in Bones it's unrealistic for forensic anthropologists to work so much with the FBI on a regular basis. The amount of time it takes to get answers about evidence also takes much longer than it does on the show. In addition, Jack Hodgins' work as an entomologist is often kept to the basics, so that the audience doesn't get bored. And of course, the skeletons that are seen almost every episode are not real skeletons. According to Cline, "The bones are resin. We buy them from a company that molds them from real bones."

Similarly in Chicago Med, some of the tools and objects used are artificial. For example, the organs are made of silicone, while blood is a corn syrup and food coloring mixture. Scenes where surgeries take place are also modified for the TV. Knife blades are dulled, defibrillators are modified so no one gets shocked, and the doctors doing the surgeries don't wear masks and hats like they do in real life. But Dennis estimates that the show is 85% accurate, which is pretty good.

The Big Bang Theory also bends reality a little for its viewers. The show's California Institute of Technology is real, but the way things work isn't. Supervisors don't appear, while in real life they would, as researchers work on teams.

But even with people like Cline, Dennis, and Salzberg, mistakes are made. However, they're not missed for long. Fans of these shows are quick to catch mistakes and post them on social media. While some would find their mistakes being broadcast Dennis and Salzberg are grateful. Dennis notes that as a result, "You're hard pressed to find a show that doesn't try to get it right."