Super Geeks. Fabulous nerds. Dynamite dweebs. In search of the perfect poindexter, I’m scouring the globe to find dorks who have cast aside society’s inherent anti-nerd bias and made their way to the top.
Thus, my first “True Nerd Hero” is British comedian James Corden, who recently succeeded Craig Ferguson as host on CBS’ The Late Late Show.
The Late Late Show with James Corden – CBS – Arnold and other celebs put James on the path to talk show host glory.
He’s chubby. He’s an infrequent shaver. And no offense to this talented funny man but he kind of reminds you of that kid in high school who really shines in drama club but everyone feels the need to warn him to find another career because Hollywood doesn’t accept people who look like he does.
That’s less of a knock on normal, average looking people than it is on a movie industry that at some point decided that everyone in a film, from the main star to the extra waiter who’s on camera for five seconds to deliver the star a meal needs to look like a supermodel.
Alas, the average person doesn’t have the time to work on their body 24/7 so to see a dude on TV who looks like he’d join us for a beer and some hot wings after the show is refreshing.
Corden is an inspiration to every nerd who, in his mind has said, “I want to sing! I want to dance! I want to act!” only to look in the mirror, sigh, and say, “But darn it, no one will want to see me do any of those things so I guess I’d better be an accountant.”
Hell, breaking into Hollywood isn’t easy for a Matt Damon look alike seeing as how there’s a limited number of paying acting gigs vs. an unlimited supply of perfect hair having, shiny teeth sporting, six pac ab having sons of bitches lined up to compete for them.
God bless you James, for clawing your way over all of them to become a true nerd hero.
Goddamn it man, you had a lead role in 2014’s Into the Woods, a movie where you sang opposite Emily Blunt and Anna Kendrick. That’s true geek greatness. You could have stopped right there and been a legendary geek but no, now you have your own TV show.
You hob nob with the uber rich and ultra successful and these people have accepted you as one of their own. Moreover, you’ve fully embraced the concept of the late night talk show revolution, one where people care less about staying up late to watch some vapid celebrity drone on but rather engage them by performing some bit or game with them in an Internet clip we can watch whenever we want.
You’re a true nerd hero, James Corden. You’ve convinced a new generation of nerds to follow their dreams.
Who should be BQB’s True Nerd Hero for June? Nominate a nerd who has inspired you in the comments on bookshelfbattle.com or tweet it to @bookshelfbattle #truenerdheroes
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