Whether it's Sherlock Holmes solving crimes or Sheldon and Leonard geeking out over sci-fi, geniuses are central figures on many of television's most popular series. They are often enigmatic, displaying superhuman intellect while struggling with mundane aspects of daily life. This collection of new essays explores why TV geniuses fascinate us and how they shape our perceptions of what it mean to be highly intelligent. Examining series like Criminal Minds, The Big Bang Theory, Bones, Elementary, Fringe, House, The Mentalist, Monk, Sherlock, Leverage and others, scholars from a variety of disciplines discuss how television both reflects and informs our cultural understanding of genius.

Often overlooked in the history of broadcast television, The CW became a top-rated cable network in primetime during the mid-2000s, at a moment when many critics predicted the death of the medium. Launched as a joint venture and successor to The WB and UPN, The CW focused programming on an 18 to 34-year-old, predominantly female audience and soon won over viewers with shows like Gossip Girl, Jane the Virgin and the DC Arrowverse franchise. Nimbly adapting to the streaming services era, the network has strengthened new series development and its innovative distribution system. This collection of new essays examines The CW's business model, marketing strategies and most popular series.

Women remain woefully underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Negative stereotypes about women as scientists, technologists, and engineers are pervasive in our culture, as is the belief-which has been proven false in multiple studies-that women naturally have less aptitude than men in science and math. Television, one of the most pervasive forms of popular media in the United States, has the potential to affect public perception of women in STEM. While some TV series offer diverse portrayals that challenge common stereotypes, others reinforce troubling cultural biases, sometimes even as writers and producers attempt to champion women in STEM fields. The essays in this collection examine numerous popular television series, from children's programs to primetime shows, and discuss the ways in which these narratives inform cultural ideas about women in STEM.