Beauty and the Geek: On-Screen Representations of Geeks

Abstract

As the media roles reflected to us play a strong role in shaping group identity, we will consider geek identity as constructed through television depictions. The Big Bang Theory and many similar franchises revolve around the stereotype of a beautiful but stupid woman pursued by socially inept but brilliant men. We will deconstruct the tension of the “un-masculine” geek as opposed to the hyperfeminine bimbo, and the narrative of geek wish fulfillment it constructs in which women serve as rewards and audiences for male brilliance. The heroes of these franchises, with their combination of socially awkward presentation and geek stereotypical quirks, offer a perfect parallel to the aspirational narratives of the pop culture on which these very characters feed, as the relationship of Sheldon with Spock perfectly epitomizes. We will contrast these geek icons and their masculinity with the definition of the hypermasculine hero drawn from our examination of geek-driven popular culture narratives.