MAPACA

Mid-Atlantic Popular &
American Culture Association

For decades, people have been traumatized by the labels “nerd,” “geek,” and “dork.” These synonymous labels have damaged the lives of millions, often in high school, but have followed others into adulthood and have amplified depressive symptoms and suicide ideation. In the media, nerds are often portrayed as the lonely underdog with an unrequited crush. They’re funny, socially-awkward, brilliant, and never attractive. Viewers watch as the geek, usually a male, pines after the beautiful cheerleader with the popular, attractive boyfriend that treats her poorly. If the viewers can see what a great guy the nerd is, why can’t the beautiful love interest?

This is a common script for viewers. Young boys with an interest in science or video games have grown up thinking that they can “save” the princess from an unworthy lover. They’ll earn this love by providing a shoulder to cry on, a sympathetic ear, or using their superior intellect to show what an awful person the alpha male boyfriend is. These scenarios are always framed as a happily-ever-after story when the hero nerd receives his reward: the female. Unfortunately, many viewers see the same happy ending the writers envisioned, but do not see the objectification of women.

This presentation is a historic examination of the ways women have been objectified popular nerd comedies. We examine early elements of revenge porn and “comedic sexual assault” in Revenge of the Nerds, the adoption of alpha characteristics in Family Matters, and the experimentations and game-like challenges the characters in The Big Bang Theory partake in when trying to woo women. In addition to exploring objectification, we observe how women in these programs respond to the scenarios shown in these programs.