Revenge of the Nerds

February 7, 2006

I have to watch Revenge of the Nerds every single time it comes on TV. Obsession? Compulsion? Attraction? All of the above?

I have been sitting here for 10 minutes trying to decide which nerd I love the most – and I can’t do it. I love them all – from Lewis’ annoying laugh to Booger’s boogers to Lamar’s limp little wrists.

Funny, this movie has always colored my perception of college life. I was pretty much sold that college would be something like a cross between Revenge of the Nerds and Animal House with a little bit of learning thrown in. Imagine my surprise when it turns out that the university that I chose is entirely inhabited by NERDS. Ha. Don’t get me wrong, there were fraternities and sororities – and for the most part, they were laaa-aa-ame and totally ineffectual. They were more likely to come out of the closet than beat someone up. They did dumb things like making each other drink whole gallons of milk and making pledges drink pee. There were even a few date rapes…but it wasn’t anything like the movies. By and large, everyone ignored them – because the nerds definitely held the balance of power…and the super-joints.

Speaking of super-joints…I’ve got to lay my cards on the table – I dated Booger. (Thank you, whoever pointed that out to me – probably April or Erin.) I don’t mean that he picked his nose…more like his personality and appearance…and super-joints. Obviously, I did not realize this at the time. I am not so much deeply ashamed, as confused by my behavior. Again, I blame the super-joints.

Coincidentally, I had never seen the uncut version until college. Up until then, I had only seen the edited for TV version. Freshman year, the guy next door (who was also my Peer Advisor) had never seen it, so we rented it. I was kind of taken off guard by all the nudity and drug use – I had no idea it was even in there. It was AMAZING, although Betty Childs was kind of scrawny. He didn’t seem overly offended, but wasn’t impressed either. I didn’t understand his non-reaction to this classic of 80s cinema. I totally didn’t fuck him. Loser.