Dweeby TV Heartthrobs

A recent reader disagreed with a post where I stated that Henry and Gio of Ugly Betty fame were hotter than Daniel Meade. She especially took exception with Henry. To each his or her own, but I have a feeling she's in the minority. There's a long, rich history of adorable nerds on TV and there's something about the combination of smarts and heart--along with a pair of horn-rimmed glasses!--that makes us swoon. Here's a list (in no particular order) of some unconventional cuties from past and present:

1. Clark Kent, The Adventures of Superman - The original dweeb. Anyone else think George Reeves was hotter with the glasses than wearing the bright, blue spandex suit and cape? Whether played by Dean Cain or Tom Welling, the mild-mannered alter ego of the superhero always made our heart beat a littler harder. Get a grip, Lois Lane!

2. The Professor, Gilligan's Island - What is it about the most intelligent and reasonable denizen of the deserted island? His encyclopedic knowledge of everything (with the exception of how to fix the damaged S. S. Minnow)? His always crisp white shirt and pressed khakis? Or perhaps the fact that given the competition (Gilligan, the Skipper and Mr. Howell) it's little wonder he stands out as a hottie. Did you know his character's full name was Roy Hinkley and that he hailed from Cleveland, OH? Ah yes, a dweeb by any other name would still seem as sweet...


3. Hymie, Get Smart - Long before Brent Spiner's Data, there was this supersensitive android secret agent. Unfailing polite, exceptionally neat and prone to excessive literality, Dick Gautier's portrayal of the robot was both friend and foil to the usually inept Maxwell Smart. Lucky for Max, he married Agent 99 BEFORE Hymie came on the scene!

4. Dr. Joel Fleischman, Northern Exposure - Rob Morrow's fish out of water physician relegated to practicing medicine in a small Alaskan town was both smart--and a smart ass. The idea of transplanting a city person into backwoods Alaska has been repeated with Men in Trees. The difference? Instead of the nebbish hotness of Joel Fleischman, you've got the irksome coldness of Marin Frist.

5. Chandler Bing, Friends - Speaking of smart, smart asses--could he BE any hotter? There's something about a guy in a sweater vest that's so, so sexy! Part insecurity, part wicked sense of humor, Matthew Perry was the "It" nerd boy for the 90s.

Monica: Chandler, it's okay. You don't have to be so macho all the time.
Chandler: I'm not macho.
Monica: You're right. I don't know what I was thinking.

6. Skippy, Family Ties - Marc Price played Erwin "Skippy" Handleman--the lovable nerd next door with the unrequited crush on Mallory Keaton (Justine Bateman). Although Mallory ultimately succumbed to the bad boy charms of Nick Moore (Scott Valentine), I bet she always regrets the dweeb that got away...




7. J.D., Scrubs - Zach Braff has made a career out of playing awkward, gawky, geeky guys. Could you really believe a guy like this with Sarah Chalke, Natalie Portman or Jacinda Barrett? Well, his real life ex was the lovely Mandy Moore--so apparently women rate laughter over looks.



8. Henry Grubstick, Ugly Betty - The list wouldn't be complete without the guy who inspired it! I think Gio is hotter, but you can't deny the charms of the sweet and earnest bookish accountant who has stolen our heroine's heart. And if you're still in doubt, check out pics of Christopher Gorham sans the Henry horn-rims. Hotness!

9. Chuck, Chuck - Zachary Levi is the head of the Nerd Herd and the newest geek god. I ask you, can the man rock a pencil protector or what?!!! As Kipp Steadman on Less than Perfect, he was more "snark-throb" than heart-throb, but as Chuck Bartowski, he's completely adorkable!





10. Kermit - Sweet, smart, funny. No wonder Miss Piggy fell in love with him at first sight! They say you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet your prince, but Kermit is the king!