The Age of Nerd, Part One: Three Shows That Changed Nerd Culture.

By Greg Stokley

As some of you may have noticed, the Nerd Culture's propulsion from obscurity and mocking to acceptance and, dare i say it, cool, is a major theme around here. For anyone who has grown up a Nerd or has found themselves within Nerdom in the last decade, you have undoubtedly seen the rise of Nerdiness. Sure, there are pockets of Nerd Culture that are still relegated to certain stereotypes, but for the most part the Nerds have begun to see their heyday.

While there are a plethora of reasons why this has occurred, I intend to use this series

as a way to examine what I believe are the main contributors to the rise of Nerd Culture in recent years. Thought this topic is multi-faceted, I intend to shed light on the most crucial areas, the first of which is Television. I contend that there are three main shows that have aided the cause of the Nerd in the past 5-7 years: Game of Thrones; Arrow; and The Big Bang Theory.

Game of Thrones

The most risque and mature of the bunch, HBO’S Game of Thrones is adapted from the epic fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire, written by George R.R. Martin. The first book, published in 1996, launched readers into a very different kind of fantasy world that was heavy on the realism and light on the magic. Since then, readers have eagerly waited for the next installment in the series. Twenty years later, the seven-book series still isn’t finished.

Just waiting for The Winds of Winter.

This did not stop HBO from grabbing the rights to this brutal yet fascinating world, and the pilot to Game of Thrones (taken from the first book, titled A Game of Thrones) premiered to the world on April 17, 2011. Almost six seasons later, the show has generated an ENORMOUS following, and has become one of the most diverse fandoms in existence. The finale to Season 5 alone brought in over 8 million viewers. This obscure, Nerdy book series has become an international hit.

The Sopranos never stood a chance.

Suffice to say, Game of Thrones has had a significant cultural impact. As Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation said, “They would never cancel Game of Thrones. It’s a crossover hit! It’s not just for fantasy enthusiasts. They’re telling human stories in a fantasy world!” No truer statement can be spoken. This show has broken barriers and caused the non-Nerd to ask, “What else is like this show? There’s books? Should I read them? What else should I read?” The fantasy genre should be thanking Game of Thrones. This show has not only popularized a fantasy series, but it has also opened the door for fans of the genre to speak out and say, “Hey, we’ve got more where that came from!!!”

God bless you, Mr. Wyatt.

This moves us to the next show.

Arrow

The Superhero genre has skyrocketed in the past decade. With that comes the advent of superhero television.

Enter: Arrow.

Based off the DC comics character Green Arrow, this show does what no other hero-themed show did before it: it eliminated the campiness associated with and found in the superhero genre. With dramatic flair and fantastic writing, Arrow brings home the desperate story of Oliver Queen and how he, through circumstance and pain, became the hero known as the Green Arrow. To many comic book fans, this was a stellar opportunity to see this hero come to life and bring aspects of the DC Universe to primetime TV. Yet, to those who are not intrigued by comics and superheroes, this show gives them something to look forward to without all the superhero cheese. Arrow is a fully accessible show for the fan and non-fan alike.

Lois and Clark, you have failed this genre.

However, there is another fantastic thing that  Arrow has come to establish: a shared, TV universe. The TV crossover is back in full force with Arrow and other show set in the “Arrowverse.” Shows like The Flash, Constantine, Legends of Tomorrow, the upcoming Vixen, and even Supergirl, have found their way into one interconnected television universe that makes the characters and their plotlines all the more intriguing. This has given Nerds the opportunity to say, “Oh, you like the crossovers? The comics do it all the time!!!” Again, Nerd Culture is expanded thanks to a successful television show.

Now, for our last (and most comedic) show.

The Big Bang Theory

As far as Nerd Culture goes, this show is the most controversial. Being the oldest of the three shows here (the pilot episode airing in September 2007), The Big Bang Theory is a sitcom that follows the misadventures of a group of university researchers and their plight as, well, Nerds. This show is presented as a look into the life of a Nerd. From frequenting comic shops and having Battlestar Galactica marathons, to melting down about the loss or destruction of collectibles, this show does a decent job at giving a general audience a look into the life of a Nerd, however stereotyped it may seem. In fact, I would say that it is the stereotypical nature of the show that has seen many Nerds split between despising it and embracing it. Yet, here is the main contribution of the show, and the reason for it’s inclusion in this article.

Penny.

Naive to the ways of Nerd.

Penny is the neighbor of Leonard and Sheldon, two CalTech physicists and mega Nerds. A great deal of humor comes from her interactions with Nerd Culture, since she comes into friendship with her neighbors not knowing anything of Nerd. This is where we must place focus in this show. The show isn’t about the Nerdy men, but rather it’s about non-Nerdy Penny and her exposure to things she would have never been exposed to on her own. This show is about the non-Nerd’s inclusion into Nerd Culture, and thereby resonates with the general audience. Many people have come to me and said, “Hey, I saw X on Big Bang last night. What is that?” This show has opened wide the doors of interest into Nerd Culture. Nerds, be happy that our stuff is being covered on a primetime slot.

I mean, it's doing better than Game of Thrones.

Conclusion

Though this article was a brief one, I have little doubt that it has hit the nail on the head. As I said before, there have been many contributors to the rise of Nerd. Those will be addressed in time. Yet it is by belief that, on the medium of television, these three shows have been key to the wider acceptance of Nerd Culture in recent years.

Game of Thrones says, “Nerds are sitting on some brutal realism.”

Arrow says, “No longer are superheroes campy and unrelatable.”

The Big Bang Theory says, “There’s nothing wrong with Nerds. In fact, the stuff they like is kinda cool.”

Nerds, we are in a better light now than we’ve ever been. So, strap on your seat belts, folks.

The Age of Nerd has come.