SEx – Silver Expressions

*This is part II in my “Nerd is the New Sexy” series. See previous installments here and here. *

Today kicks off the first stop in my Nerd Appreciation Month.

Who Is The Nerd Next Door? Whether he’s the shy guy at your office, the boy next door, or an awkward but lovable, super-powered Kansas farm boy, this nerd archetype is definitely more than meets the eye.

Why We Love Him: Don’t let the pocket protector fool you. What this nerd lacks in fashion sense he more than makes up for with his understated sex appeal, witty comebacks, and intelligence. He’s your best friend and confidant, always able to cheer you up. He’s down to earth and charming in an offbeat and sometimes quirky way.

Here are my top picks for the Hot Nerd Next Door on television:

ZACHARY LEVI (Chuck Bartowski, NBC’s Chuck)

Zachary Levi won fans over as Chuck Bartowski, the titular character on NBC’s award-winning series. According to Wikipedia, the show is about “an “average computer-whiz-next-door” who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working in the CIA; the message embeds the only remaining copy of the world’s greatest spy secrets into Chuck’s brain.” They had me at “spy secrets.”

There is a reason Chuck makes the top of the list. With his awful fashion sense, unwilling super spy alter ego and killer one -liners (not to mention his painfully gorgeous looks), his character is the epitome of the Hot Nerd Next Door.
Nerdalicious ^TM Quote (s):
Chuck: Is it really so wrong for me to want a night off? I was having a really good time too until the assassins stole my pants and tried to kill me!

Jeff: Does it shock you that 80% of my encounters with women have been completely without their knowledge?
Chuck: Honestly, I’m more suprised by the other 20%. But look, buddy, I know you’re going through a tough time, but I don’t feel comfortable stalking another human being.
Morgan: Dude it’s not stalking, okay? It’s caring enough about someone to learn things about them they won’t tell you themselves.
Chuck: Which is stalking.

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Chris Gorham (Henry, NBC’s Ugly Betty)            

Christopher Gorham first made it onto my radar in 1999 with the WB teen dramedy series Popular as the shy high schooler Harrison John in love with the enemy of his best friend Samantha. He wowed audiences on the short-lived but very quotable series Jake 2.0, which also aired on the WB. Most recently, audiences have fallen in love with him as accountant Henry, the on-again, off-again love interest of American Ferrara on NBC’s Ugly Betty.

Well known for his witty one-liners, sarcasm and disturbing knowledge of pop culture, Gorham’s characters are not only adorable, they earn him a place on my hottie list.

Nerdalicious Quote^TM (s):

Henry: [to Betty]: Guess I’ll be on top of you the next couple of days… party-wise.

Henry: I can’t believe Alexis is doing this to Daniel. They’re family. Even Erica Kane forgave her daughter Kendall when she slept with her fourth husband… All My Children. It’s just something I know.

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Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris, WB/UPN’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

From 2003 – 2007, Nicholas Brendon played Xander Harris, the wise-cracking sidekick to the titular character (he was a hot Shaggy to her Daphne, if you will) on this cult classic created by Joss Whedon.

His self-effacing wit and mastery of the Snoopy Dance (not to mention how hot he looks in a Speedo) make him a nostalgic favorite for me.

Nerdalicious ^TM Quote (s):

Xander: I wonder what she sees in me? It’s probably the quiet good looks coupled with a certain smoky magnetism.

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SETH GREEN (Oz, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Seth Green has made a career in film and television playing socially-awkward guys that you can’t help but love: The hip-hop poser in Can’t Hardly Wait; the hilariously annoying younger brother in Can’t Buy Me Love; the original creator of Napster in The Italian Job; and as Daniel Oz, a mellow werewolf rocker on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

His mellow voice and unflappable attitude combined with his trademark dry humor and intense green eyes secure him a place on my hottie list.

Nerdalicious ^TM Quote (s):

Devon MacLeish: What does a girl have to do to impress you?
Oz: Well, it involves a feather boa and the theme to A Summer Place. I can’t discuss it here.

Oz : I’m gonna ask you to go out with me tomorrow night. And I’m kinda nervous about
it, actually. It’s interesting.
Willow: Oh! Well, if it helps at all, I’m gonna say “yes.”
Oz: Yeah, it helps. It … it creates a comfort zone. … Do you wanna go out with me tomorrow night?
Willow: [slaps forehead] Oh! I can’t!
Oz: Well, see, I like that you’re unpredictable.

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GIVEAWAY QUESTION: Who is your favorite TV Nerd Next Door and Why?
(Don’t be afraid to break out the old school TV nerds, either!) Tell me and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s The Nerd Who Loved Me.

**UPDATE** Congratulations to Debbie! You won a print copy of “The Nerd Who Loved Me.” I’ll be emailing you shortly to get your mailing address.

Happy reading!
Michelle Lauren