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Remember the days when being a “nerd” was the worst possible social stigma? Even Revenge of the Nerds’s noble efforts in the fight for nerd equality wasn’t enough to truly allow this subculture any genuine respect from society. Even though we all knew the geekazoids from high school would probably all grow up to be computer billionaires, we still couldn't help but give them atomic wedgies and steal their lunch money.

 

(I use the term “we” loosely, for I myself was a wedgie-receiver, not a wedgie-giver.)

 

All that seems to have changed in recent years, and the rise of the nerd has been encouraged by huge yearly events such as Comic-Con, where nerds, geeks, and fanboys/girls of all shapes and sizes have had an open forum to express their dorkiness without shame. Being obsessed with Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, “Doctor Who”, comic books, Dungeons & Dragons, cosplay, etc, etc, has become accepted and embraced by the mainstream. Perhaps it’s the playful irony that comes with being a nerd – most nerds are more or less in on the “joke” and play it up to their advantage. Nerds like Chris Hardwick, who created the Nerdist Podcast two years ago, a weekly gathering of other dweebs to talk about all things geektastic, which has blown up into what Hardwick himself calls a “many headed beast” -- a bona fide brand. Spin-offs include TV specials, a fancy Website, and now, their very own YouTube channel.

 

In this week’s episode of GUEST LIST ONLY, YHN takes you inside the launch party for the Nerdist Channel, and it’s a smorgasbord of dweebery and awesomeness, with the likes of “Weird” Al Yankovic and Rob Zombie on the premises! The man who started it all, Chris Hardwick, is in the house too, of course, and we caught up with him to get his take on the overwhelming success of his little weekly nerd chats. No longer do comic book fans have to hide in their basements, or RPG aficianados skulk around abandoned shacks at night lest their hobbies be revealed… Geek Chic is now an accepted part of the culture, allowed to thrive in the light of day for the world to see. And those who are the pioneers are not only some of the smartest but some of the funniest people out there.

 

So, next time you see a fella with thick-rimmed glasses and a pocket protector carrying a copy of The Silmarillion, don’t trip him or give him a swirly – instead, make a friend out of him. You’ll laugh and learn a lot. And you might need to borrow money from him some day.

 

Geek out to the newest episode of GUEST LIST ONLY below:

 

 

 

 

- Katie Marzullo, YH Staff Editor

katie@younghollywood.com