The authors suggest that "CSI," a public mass media product, and other television programming have greatly influenced how students, especially female students, perceive scientists at work. Perhaps the increased airing of television programs focusing on laboratory sciences has caused student perceptions of scientists to shift away from the "mad scientist" image to one that is more realistic. This notion seems to suggest that, today, more students hold mental images of scientists that are aligned with their own gender and typical features, rather than stereotypic "mad scientist" images promoted by horror films such as the 1931 version of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" novel. (Contains 2 figures.)