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Nerds are having a moment. Given their increasing visibility on prime time TV ("The Big Bang Theory," "Glee"), FOX411.com pays homage to our favorite onscreen nerds of the past 20 years. (From left, Dwight Schrute of "The Office," Rachel Berry of "Glee," and Steve Urkel from "Family Matters.")![Freaks_and_Geeks_fdfd]()
Judd Apatow’s quirky, underrated series featured many future stars, including James Franco, Seth Rogan, Busy Phillips and Jason Segel. Despite only airing for one season (1999-2000), the show has a cult following. It was named one of Time magazine's "100 Greatest Shows of All Time," and in 2008, “Entertainment Weekly” ranked it the 13th best series of the past 25 years. And now it has made FOX411.com’s “Top 10 TV Shows About Nerds” list. The honors continue... (NBC)![Glee_fdfd]()
Scores of “Gleeks” have made Fox’s current series a huge hit. Perky musical numbers, colorful characters and fun storylines may even have made glee club ... cool? (FOX)![Doogie Howser, M.D.]()
Neil Patrick Harris played 16 year-old doctor Doogie Howser on this beloved series, which ran from 1989 to 1993. Doogie possessed a genius intellect and graduated from Princeton at age 10, but struggled to find acceptance with both his medical peers and fellow teenagers. A delightful study in nerd-dom. (20th Century Fox)![The_Office_fdfd]()
Awkward characters abound on this mockumentary-style series, currently on its sixth season. Power-hungry beet farmer and paper salesman Dwight Shrute (Rainn Wilson) stands out as a stunning nerd. (NBC)![My So-Called Life]()
Angela Chase (Claire Danes) and her self-aware pals gave the difficult teen years heart in this cult 90s series. "My So-Called Life" portrayed the darker aspects of high school. (ABC)![The_Big_Bang_Theory_fdfd]()
This series, currently in its third season, follows traditional science geeks (physicists, to be precise) and fanboys who live across the hall from a hot blonde. While it’s not “good,” per se (the series relies heavily on stupid “nerd” stereotypes), “The Big Bang Theory” earns a spot on our list for sheer nerd representation. (CBS)![Family_Matters_fdfd]()
Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) may be the ultimate TV nerd. Every week from 1989 to 1997, suspenders-clad Urkel entertained kids with his clumsy charm, spouting catch phrases (“Did I do that?”), damaging property, and driving Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) crazy. (Warner Bros.)![Daria_fdfd]()
MTV’s hit animated series about a misanthropic teenage girl expertly satirized the high school experience. And the whole late 90s series is now on DVD! (MTV)![Head_of_the_Class_fdfd]()
This 80s sitcom followed a class of gifted high school students (and their history teacher, played by Howard Hesseman). The class featured a wide range of nerds, from skinny, bespectacled math expert Arvid (Dan Frischman, far left) to sensitive poet Simone (Khrysyne Haje, front left). (Warner Bros.)![The_Wonder_Years_fdfd]()
“TV Guide” named “The Wonder Years” one of the 1980s' 20 best shows. After just six episodes, the trials of unpopular Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage) won an Emmy for best comedy series in 1988. In total, the series won 22 awards, and was nominated for 54 more. Seriously, who didn’t love this show? (ABC)![The_Hard_Times_of_RJ_Berger]()
MTV's upcoming series, described as “Hung” for the young, follows an unpopular 15 year-old (Paul Iacono) whose “anatomical gift” is accidentally exposed at school, changing his social status. "The Hard Times of RJ Berger" isn't on our list... yet. But tune-in on June 6th at 11/10C -- right after the MTV Movie Awards -- and we'll see if it's any good. (MTV)Top 10: TV Shows About Nerds
FOX411.com presents the best series for Gleeks, geeks and gawky goobers.
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- Top 10: TV Shows About Nerds
