Screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET

The position of guest star can sometimes be abused by sitcoms.

They roll out a movie star for one or two episodes in order to boost ratings, before that star departs, leaving a pitiful normalcy behind.

When it comes to "Big Bang Theory," however, the term "star" enjoys a more celestial quality.

So I know that many will feel a heavenward surge to learn that Stephen Hawking--he of the extremely large brain and extreme suspicion of the goodness of aliens--will be making a guest appearance on the show.

My voracious reading of Entertainment Weekly offered the news that Hawking will be gracing the show on April 5. It has been confirmed by CBS.

CBS Executive Producer Bill Prady offered: "We're not exactly sure how we got him. It's the kind of mystery that could only be understood by, say, a Stephen Hawking."

Screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET

"Big Bang Theory" makes a strenuous and often funny attempt to bring physicists and humans to a greater understanding.

The show's success--and yes, it's aired by CBS, which also owns CNET--is demonstrated by the fact that it has won many awards, while this year beating "American Idol" in the ratings.

Should you be one of the still-many who are committed to "Idol," Hawking is the idol of Sheldon, one of the more graceful CalTech physicists appearing on popular TV today.

There are more glad starry tidings, though. For if I push you toward the Twitter feed of Leonard Nimoy--he that will always be Spock--you will see that Captain Kirk's eyes and ears will precede Hawking on the show by a week.

His words of unquestionable probity declare: "Spock on Big Bang Theory on 3/29. Stephen Hawking the following week. Logical. LLAP."

Viewers will, indeed, be adorned with a double-dose of the world's most potent intellects. Can the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler possibly cope with this sort of competition?

In this galaxy, perhaps not.