King of the Nerds: Season 1

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Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Ratings

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6.0	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

TBS | Season Premiere Date: January 17, 2013

Starring: Curtis Armstrong, Robert Carradine

Summary: 11 competitors battle for the title of king of the nerds and a $100,000 prize on this reality show hosted by Revenge of the Nerds actors Robert Carradine and Curtis Armstrong.

Genre(s): Reality, Game Show, Tech & Gaming

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E8. The King is Crowned
Air Date: March 7, 2013
tbd
S1:E7. Enginerds
Air Date: February 27, 2013
tbd
S1:E6. Nerdy Dancing
Air Date: February 22, 2013

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Allison Keene

Jan 17, 2013

As questionable as the setup sounds, it actually strikes the right tone by neither making fun of nor blindly praising the competitors for their quirks (of which they have many). Read full review

Neil Genzlinger

Jan 16, 2013

The competitors may not be all that amusing, but some of the show's gimmicks are. Read full review

Chris Conaton

Jan 17, 2013

The mix of appealing nerds and lack of truly grating nerds is calculated for viewers' comfort, but the first episode is decidedly bland, too. Viewers looking for a new take on the reality competition genre won't find it here. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Jan 17, 2013

This energetically produced, brightly colored concoction hits the guilty pleasure spot more often than not. Read full review

Rob Owen

Jan 16, 2013

It's a cute concept but producers don't seem to have a knack for proper execution, filling time with terribly padded segments--picking teams takes an eternity--and challenges (watching people play chess in the premiere) that, try as they might, don't make for compelling TV. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Jan 16, 2013

Former "Revenge of the Nerds" stars Carradine and Armstrong (who helped develop the concept) do appear to have fun, but after the opening kick of seeing them reunited in this fashion, even that begins to yield diminishing returns. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Jan 17, 2013

There is one clever gimmick--the winner gets to sit upon a "Throne of Games"--but the very-long-hour opener is a tedious affair. Read full review

User Score

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User Reviews

Raindropss

Jan 18, 2013

Found it quite entertaining and enjoyable to watch. Very excited to see what more head to head and team challenges await. With the variety of the contestants talents, it should prove to be interesting.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

KAKOW

Jan 18, 2013

I found the show to be great, though myself being a nerd in the shows definition. The show defines a nerd as anyone that likes comic books, video games, are super intelligent, or doesn't fit in with other people. The show is interesting because it doesn't take people all that have the sameI found the show to be great, though myself being a nerd in the shows definition. The show defines a nerd as anyone that likes comic books, video games, are super intelligent, or doesn't fit in with other people. The show is interesting because it doesn't take people all that have the same set of talents and likes, instead they got people with strengths and weaknesses that makes them each unique rather than them all being proficient in every aspect. I don't think the show is going to appeal to everyone but if you like video games, comics, or want to see something else besides shows that have people having to use brawn or brain to complete something then this is something that will get you hooked. I don't think the critic's reviews do justice because this is a different group of people from the typical game show of average or super-fit people trying to do challenges using physical attributes that critics always see and know the perfect formula for that kind of show. This is a different show that has a different focus and appeal that isn't common on TV so critics probably can't fully appreciate the difference from a different competition/reality show. Just from the first episode you can tell there are going to be lots of nerdy references that probably will be just like inside jokes to nerds only which is exactly what the show is based on which in my opinion fulfills its goal as a show.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Malahaganite

Feb 15, 2013

Though I do think that the hosts overuse the term "nerd" a tad, I do like this show a lot. The challenges are pretty creative and the rewards for winning them are even cooler. For example, in the last episode team Blextrophy got to pilot a real flight simulator.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Laurashlee

Feb 1, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. With hilarious sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory, it’s no surprise that nerd culture is on the rise. TBS’s new reality competition, King of the Nerds, collects eleven of America’s biggest nerds in a mansion known as Nerdvana, where they will fight to the death to be crowned king. The nerds use their marketable assets, like physics degrees and professional gaming skills, to form teams that compete weekly in Nerd Wars for safety from elimination. Each Thursday two nerds from the losing team are sent to a duel of death, the Nerd-Off, and the loser must go home. With challenges like role-play games and life-size chess tournaments, there’s no telling what the next challenge may hold. King of the Nerds has only aired two of eight episodes thus far in its first season. The show has been received with success, despite setbacks in lack of advertising. The pilot pulled in nearly two million viewers, while the second episode brought in over one and a half million viewers. King of the Nerds is TBS’s first unscripted reality show in seven years and has already been picked up by international stations, such as Canada’s Slice network. With their own unique and endearing quirks, the contestants are so loveable it becomes difficult to get behind a favorite. Personally, I am rooting for Brandon, a neuroscientist from Tennessee who is one “bazinga” away from Sheldon Cooper. Then there’s Genevieve, the fantasy writer whose innocent appearance masks her cunning and cutthroat competitiveness. Of course, the audience needs someone to boo as well. Alana, a comic book fanatic, has earned a reputation as the weakest player after leading Hendrik to doom in the first episode’s Nerd-Off. In addition to her pessimistic and self-pitying attitude, it will be a miracle if Alana makes it to episode four. The show focuses on the team challenges as opposed to house drama, which is a refreshing turn from traditional reality competitions. All challenges favor brain over brawn and add a creative twist to popular nerd culture. Additionally, for each new challenge celebrity judges are called in to serve as ultimate referees. Past guests have included George Takei from Star Trek and Adam Busch from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who generate appeal for both the contestants and home audience. Despite countless good things working for this series, a few suggestions could be made. Although the potential for romance among contestants exists in small degrees, a house romance would certainly entice viewers and spice up Nerdvana. Who doesn’t love a little geeky romance? Also, I think a semi-physical challenge would prove interesting and surprising as a way of mixing up the always intellectual Nerd Wars. I’m not suggesting a rugby match or anything, but maybe in the future fans will see a challenge that marries mind and body. Fans of the Big Bang Theory, Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons, or really anything geeky, for that matter, are bound to love King of the Nerds. Even viewers not familiar with nerd culture can appreciate the show for its creative novelty and the impressive feats contestants accomplish each week. This show is for self-declared nerds, in-the-closet nerds, and dare I even say those who simply enjoy poking fun at nerds. Despite only having two episodes, America can expect great things from this new series, and you won’t want to miss the coronation of nerd royalty. Now, go set your DVR and remember: live long and prosper.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

psycho666

Mar 10, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show was both good and entertaining (although it did seem a little scripted at parts) all the way till the finale, i agree with the people who are mad because it ended up being a popularity contest, i mean on the one hand, it does kind of make sense to have the other contestants vote, but i don't think it should have been the finale, it should have been maybe the beginning to decide captains or something like that...the point is there are two nerds left, and instead of having them prove which is nerdier by battling it out nerd style (as had been the case up to the finale) it came down to a popularity contest...which isn't that nerdy at all. but other than that one thing (which i really hope they change next season) this was an otherwise enjoyable show… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

irbe209

Feb 5, 2013

Your standard game show with nerds. I was bored after their first episode The only funny part is that everyone is strange I was hoping for something that was different from your standard boring game show. But you won't find it here.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Burlybastard

Mar 8, 2013

I would not waste my time with this show. Good show till the it got to the finals. The winner isn't decided by wits or ability, its by a vote from the banned nerds. A popularity contest? Is this prom? You had a contestant that proved herself over and over again vs a complete slacker thatI would not waste my time with this show. Good show till the it got to the finals. The winner isn't decided by wits or ability, its by a vote from the banned nerds. A popularity contest? Is this prom? You had a contestant that proved herself over and over again vs a complete slacker that never had to go into a head to head fight.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

SEE ALL 9 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

54

Series Overview
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: January 23, 2015
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: January 23, 2014
Season 1

54
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 17, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E8. The King is Crowned
  Air Date: March 7, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E7. Enginerds
  Air Date: February 27, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E6. Nerdy Dancing
  Air Date: February 22, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E5. High IQ's
  Air Date: February 15, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E4. Supernerds
  Air Date: February 8, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E3. Games without Frontiers
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E2. Imaginary Realms
  Air Date: January 24, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E1. Welcome to the Nerdvana
  Air Date: January 17, 2013