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"King of the Nerds" review by Suzanne
Premieres Thursday January 17 at 10pm (et/pt) on TBS

This is a great new competition show (AKA game show). I don't normally watch anything that's not fiction, but this show is great and I plan to watch it regularly.

Two actors from the "Revenge of the Nerds" movies, Curtis Armstrong and Robert Carradine, came up with this idea for a show, and they host it as well. They chose a large group of "nerds" - everything from NASA engineers to comic book fans - to compete against each other for $100,000 and being named "King of the Nerds". It's a lot of fun, and the nerds are real nerds, you can tell. They're not the usual Hollywood versions of nerds, which is, "throw some glasses on this cute guy....."

The different challenges are fun and are nerd-related such as live gaming or a giant game of chess.  You really get to know the nerds. Just like on most reality shows, you learn about each person and they talk to the camer a lot.  I hope it is a big hit!

I also interviewed Armstrong and Carradine, and they were great. I will post the interview soon and link to it here.  Being a life-long "nerd" myself, from a family of nerds, I can really get behind this show. (Actually, though, I do prefer the terms "geek" or "sci-fi fan" over nerd).

MORE INFORMATION:

TBS is taking the glory of nerd-dom to the next level in the new unscripted competition series King of the Nerds, hosted by actors Robert Carradine (Revenge of the Nerds and The Long Riders) and Curtis Armstrong (Revenge of the Nerds and Ray). The show invites 11 competitors spanning the full nerd spectrum to come together to face challenges that will test their intellect, ingenuity, skills and pop-culture prowess. The nerds will first compete as teams before moving on to individual challenges, all with the goal of being named the quintessential master of all things nerdy and winning the $100,000 prize. King of the Nerds will premiere Thursday, Jan. 17, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

TBS Puts Fanboys & Physicists to the Test in New Unscripted Competition Series King of the Nerds

TBS, which has basked in the glory of nerd-dom with the enormously popular acquired sitcom The Big Bang Theory, is now ready to take things to the next level. TBS has greenlit the new unscripted competition series King of the Nerds, hosted by Robert Carradine and Curtis Armstrong.

TBS has ordered eight episodes of King of the Nerds, which is being executive-produced by Ben Silverman (The Biggest Loser, The Office) and Jimmy Fox (Mob Wives) of Electus, Rick Ringbakk (The Amazing Race), Tod Mesirow (MythBusters) and Craig Armstrong (Survivor) of 5X5 Media, as well as Carradine and Armstrong. The show is slated to premiere in early 2013. Electus International, the global distribution arm of Electus, will distribute the series internationally.

King of the Nerds is primed to become television's ultimate nerd-off. The show invites competitors spanning the full nerd spectrum to come together to face challenges that will test their intellect, ingenuity, skills and pop-culture prowess. The nerds will first compete as teams before moving on to individual challenges, all with the goal of being named the quintessential master of all things nerdy.

"It's been said we're living in the 'Age of the Nerd', and if so, what better way to acknowledge that than to have a competition to crown the King of the Nerds?" said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "King of the Nerds is a lot of fun as it not only celebrates nerd culture, but also illuminates it.  We believe King of the Nerds is an ideal fit with The Big Bang Theory, and we look forward to having it on the network"

"King of the Nerds will be the first-ever nerd-on-nerd warfare competition series. Who better to have as our hosts than Robert and Curtis, the founding fathers of the Nerd Universe," said Jimmy Fox, head of creative development for Electus. "We are incredibly excited to partner with TBS to not only celebrate the nerd in each and every one of us, but to bring an incredibly fun, smart and entertaining competition series to the TBS audience."

King of the Nerds is the latest new series slated for launch on TBS. In May, the network will premiere the new buddy comedy series Men at Work, starring Danny Masterson, James Lesure, Michael Cassidy and Adam Busch. Also this summer, TBS will launch Sullivan & Son, a new sitcom starring comedian Steve Byrne and executive-produced by Vince Vaughn, Peter Billingsley and Rob Long. Later this year, TBS will debut Wedding Band, a new scripted comedy series starring Brian Austin Green, Harold Perrineau, Peter Cambor and Derek Miller, Melora Hardin, Jenny Wade and Kathryn Fiore.

Robert Carradine and Curtis Armstrong starred in the blockbuster comedy Revenge of the Nerds. Carradine has also starred in such hit movies as The Long Riders, The Big Red One and Ghosts of Mars. His television credits include roles on Lizzie McGuire and The Cowboys, as well as guest appearances on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Practice, NYPD Blue, The Pretender and Nash Bridges. Carradine has also been cast in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming western Django Unchained, with Leonard DiCaprio.

Armstrong is known for his memorable performances in Revenge of the Nerds and Risky Business. Additional film credits include Ray, Akeelah and the Bee and the upcoming Sparkle. For television, Armstrong has played regular roles in the series Dan Vs., American Dad and Moonlighting, along with guest roles on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hot in Cleveland and TNT's The Closer.

Curtis Armstrong and Robert Carradine are both repped by Buchwald/Fortitude.

About Electus
Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Ben Silverman in partnership with IAC [NASDAQ: IACI], the company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner in campaigns and content creation. Electus International, the global distribution arm of Electus, is responsible for all international sales and distribution for Electus’ programming and its studio partners as well as programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers. For more information on Electus, visit www.electus.com.

About 5X5 Media
Five by Five Media ("5x5") is a full service television and film production company in an overall production and distribution agreement within the Electus studio system. 5x5 Media develops and produces both scripted and unscripted television programming and feature films. Our principals have won multiple primetime Emmy Awards, and have produced such titles as Survivor,The Amazing Race, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, Super Nanny, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Smash Lab, Monster Garage, Mythbusters and Wired Science. 5x5’s recent productions include Spike TV’s Car Lot Cowboy, CMT’s Jennie Garth:  A Little Bit Country and NBC’s fashion reality competition show Fashion Star.

About TBS
TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s top-rated comedy network and is available in 100 million households. It serves as home to the Emmy®-nominated late-night series CONAN, starring Conan O’Brien; and original primetime comedy series like Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse and the upcoming Men at Work, Sullivan & Son and Wedding Band. TBS also features an outstanding slate of contemporary comedies, such as The Big Bang Theory, Family Guy and The Office, as well as blockbuster movies and championship sports. In addition, TBS produces special live comedy events, including the star-studded comedy festival held each year in Chicago.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Episode Synopses

"Welcome to Nerdvana" – Thursday, Jan. 17, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

Eleven contestants meet each other and hosts Curtis Armstrong and Robert Carradine for the first time, while also exploring their new home, Nerdvana. In the first Nerd War, teams are picked and friendships and alliances are made. In the Nerd-Off a supersized game of strategy will determine which nerd is to be banished from Nerdvana forever.

TBS Puts Fanboys & Physicists to the Test

In New Unscripted Competition Series King of the Nerds

The Challenge Begins Thursday, Jan. 17, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

TBS is taking the glory of nerd-dom to the next level in the new unscripted competition series King of the Nerds, hosted by actors Robert Carradine (Revenge of the Nerds and The Long Riders) and Curtis Armstrong (Revenge of the Nerds and Ray). The show invites 11 competitors spanning the full nerd spectrum to come together to face challenges that will test their intellect, ingenuity, skills and pop-culture prowess. The nerds will first compete as teams before moving on to individual challenges, all with the goal of being named the quintessential master of all things nerdy and winning the $100,000 prize. King of the Nerds will premiere Thursday, Jan. 17, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

Throughout the season, the nerds will live together in "Nerdvana" and face challenges like a giant game of chess, a debate, live gaming and a dance-off. One competitor will be eliminated each week, leading to the ultimate champion being crowned "King of the Nerds."

Connect with King of the Nerds

·        Website: http://www.tbs.com/shows/king-of-the-nerds

·        Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KingofNerdsTBS | #NerdsRule

·        Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KingOfTheNerdsTBS

King of the Nerds is executive-produced by Ben Silverman (The Biggest Loser, The Office) and Jimmy Fox (Mob Wives) of Electus, Rick Ringbakk (The Amazing Race) and Craig Armstrong (Survivor) of 5X5 Media, as well as Carradine and Armstrong. TBS has ordered eight episodes for the first season of King of the Nerds. Electus International, the global distribution arm of Electus, is distributing the series internationally.

About Electus

Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world. Headed by Ben Silverman in partnership with IAC [NASDAQ: IACI], the company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be a true partner in campaigns and content creation. Electus International, the global distribution arm of Electus, is responsible for all international sales and distribution for Electus' programming and its studio partners as well as programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers. For more information on Electus, visit www.electus.com.

About 5X5 Medias

Five by Five Media ("5x5") is a full service television and film production company in an overall production and distribution agreement within the Electus studio system. 5x5 Media develops and produces both scripted and unscripted television programming and feature films. 5x5's principals have won multiple primetime Emmys and have produced such titles as Survivor, The Amazing Race, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, Super Nanny and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. 5x5's recent productions include Spike TV's Car Lot Rescue, CMT's Jennie Garth:  A Little Bit Country and NBC's fashion reality competition show Fashion Star.

About TBS

TBS is basic cable's #1 network among young adults in primetime for the year-to-date. Available in 100 million households, TBS features the EmmyÒ-nominated late-night series CONAN, starring Conan O’Brien; and original primetime comedy series like Cougar Town, Men at Work, Sullivan & Son, Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse, Wedding Band, King of the Nerds, Deon Cole's Black Box and Who Gets the Last Laugh? TBS also features an outstanding slate of contemporary comedies, such as The Big Bang Theory and Family Guy, along with blockbuster movies and championship sports. In addition, TBS produces special live comedy events, like the star-studded comedy festival held each year in Chicago.

TBS is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Connect with TBS

Website: http://www.tbs.com

Pressroom: http://news.turner.com/tbs

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TBSveryfunny

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TBSveryfunny | http://www.twitter.com/TBSPR

The opinions in these articles are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The TV MegaSite or its other volunteers.

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