This probably shouldn't surpise us: TV's best sitcom also has one of the best sets. It's full of playthings; also, the math equations really do make sense.
We're talking about "The Big Bang Theory," of course. With the clever touch of any Chuck Lorre production, it simultaneously mocks its characters -- four young Cal Tech scientists and the waitress who lives in the next apartment -- and views them warmly.
These guys are deep into brainy geekdome and the set reflects it. There's a dart board, a telescope, a "Captain Future: Wizard of Science" poster. There are two Batman figures, an "Infinite Chaos" figure and lots of books and toys. It would be fun to live there.
And there's the board with equations. Yes, director Mark Cendrowski assures us, they're all real.
A UCLA professor is the show's consultant. Sometimes, his staff answers questions when he's away on assignment, but at other times he does it himself. This may be the only comedy that gets e-mails from Antarctica, Lorre said.
But what about the other kind of expertise -- all the details of sci-fi geekdom? "If you spend some time in the writers' room, you'll see that's no problem for us," said co-creator Bill Prady.
This seems to be a fun place to work, including intense ping-pong tournaments. Cendrowski is the reigning champion; Kaley Cuoco and Kunal Navyar are considered the best among the actors.
And in a difference from most TV shows, the female character has the messy place, a clutter of clothes and magazines. One night, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) snuck in and cleaned the place up.
Only Sheldon could do something that creepy and still be a friend. "There's an innate charm and sweetness to Jim Parsons," Lorre said.
And there's a charm to the whole show. "Big Bang Theory" (8 p.m. Mondays on CBS) makes us laugh; its set makes us smile.