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After watching last night's hysterical Season 3 premiere of The IT Crowd, I started thinking about computer geeks on TV, and how there really aren't that many. There are a lot of science geeks, like the physicists of Lost and The Big Bang Theory, but usually it's all about the math, and all they need is a dry erase board. In honor of the unsung heroes of the keyboard (computer, not piano), I thought I'd run down some of my favorites, past and present.
1. Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Although she would later be better known for her witchcraft, it should be remembered that Willow was introduced to the practice by her computer teacher, and that this wiccan used to be a big ol' hacker. In fact, while scanning library books to create an online database, Willow once uploaded an ancient demon who had been trapped in one, and unknowingly started an online romance with him. Internet love with a digital demon? Compu-pervy!
2. Chuck Bartowski (Chuck)
The resident computer expert at Best Buy stand-in Buy More, Chuck is a member of the Nerd Herd, a team of highly trained computer repairman. Of course, that knowledge won't help him deal with the massive computer database that's been downloaded into his brain. Even if he can't control it... c'mon, the guy's got a database in his head. That's hardcore.
3. Nick Burns (Saturday Night Live)
Jimmy Fallon was actually a computer science major before it got "too hard." One of his recurring characters on SNL was Nick Burns, the mustached tech support guy who solves computer problems by making fun of his co-workers until they get out of his way in embarrassment. If they don't, he tells them to "moooove!" He's actually kind of a major tool.
4. Angela Montenegro (Bones)
While Angela is one of the most normal, well-balanced and creative members of Dr. Brennan's forensics team, she is also in charge of pretty much everything involving the computer. While her colleagues are stripping flesh from bones and looking up different types of bugs, Angela is creating lifelike 3-D renderings and even real-time crime simulations on her advanced graphics system. She usually ends up doing most of the non-bug-related Internet research, as well -- probably because she has the biggest computer monitor in the office.
5. Maurice Ross and Roy (The IT Crowd)
While most of their repair-related advice to co-workers is limited to "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" Maurice and Roy are gleeful technophiles, and can speak in a computer-term-based language that even their boss Jen cannot understand. Of course, in Roy's case, that may have more to do with his Irish accent.
6. Steve Urkel (Family Matters)
We really didn't want to put him on this list, but the kid built a robot, a time machine and a teleportation device. He makes the cut.
Who are your favorite computer geeks?
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Alec Hardison from Leverage is hands down the best computer geek in the history of the world. "Age of the geek, baby!" is his favorite shout-out.
Hardison is the awesome, but I have to give some love to Lucas Wolenczak from SeaQuest DSV as well. He wrote a program to decode dolphin speech, leading to some of the cutest scenes in sci-fi. Come on, who didn't love the talking dolphin?
Where's the Goth geek from NCIS?
Yes, Abby should totally be on this list, as well as Hardison
What about the trio from the XFiles?
Garcia from Criminal Minds
Mac, from Veronica Mars.
What about Marshall from Alias!
I have to second Marshall from Alias! He was the ultimate computer geek and could probably hack circles around the people on your list. And The Lone Gunman had some pretty sweet kung-fu as Langley would say. Why stop the list at 6?
I can't believe Chloe from 24 is not on this list. There's nothing potato-face can't do!
In addition to Abby from NCIS and Hardisson from Leverage, you can't forget McGee from NCIS. He hacks into the CIA, fercryinoutloud!
In addition to Abby from NCIS and Hardisson from Leverage, you can't forget McGee from NCIS. He hacks into the CIA, fercryinoutloud!
I second Marshall Flinkman of Alias and Mac of Veronica Mars.
I second McGee.
And Abby.
You Canadian folks should know her: Mayko from "ReGenesis."
Abby and McGee!
No Mac from Veronica Mars? She was cute and sassy and still managed to be nerdy when it came to computers.
Chloe from Smallville has been Clark Kent's hacker sidekick for 8 years. She even hacked defense department satellites!
Mac from Veronica Mars?
McGee from NCIS?
Chloe from Smallville?
Garcia from Criminal Minds?
Spinelli from General Hospital wins this contest, hands down. He can hack into anything by only hitting one key over and over. Now, that's talent.
Spinelli from General Hospital wins this contest, hands down. He can hack into anything by only hitting one key over and over. Now, that's talent.
Abby and McGee!
Abby NCIS....
Geeky, gothy, brilliant, obsessive, killer cute and sexy
The comments section was a better list than the actual list!
Came for Chole from 24. Left disappointed.
Abby from NCIS,
Garcia from Criminal Minds,
Chloe Potato Face from 24,
and the Lone Gunmen from X-Files
What? No Toshiko from Torchwood? Not even death could stop her uber skills.
Slade from The Border.
Archie from CSI.
Cowboy from Jpod.
Definitely Tosh from Torchwood!
The girl managed to save the team with her techno geekery AFTER HER DEATH.
Toshiko Sato (Tosh) from Torchwood.
Marshall from Alias! *Any* list of computer guys should include him. One of the few shows where the computery things the nerd did were actually feasible (rather than hand-wavy magic).
NCIS and Criminal Minds' hackers bother me. Every case they work on would get thrown out of court. Give me Marshall from Alias: in his world, breaking the law is acceptable behaviour, and no one does it better.
The lack of both Chloe's (SMALLVILLE and 24) makes me a sad panda. 24's Chloe should top the list (and Angela from BONES should top Nick Burns)
Mac from "Veronica Mars" should really be on this list.
More votes for
Alec Hardison from Leverage and
Toshiko Sato from Torchwood - both awesome, and not to mention hot, computer geeks.
Hardison: "You know, I had to retask two satellites just to get a lousy internet connection. Took more than an hour to torrent the last episode of Dr. Who"
How is Marhsall J. Flinkman from Alias not on this list? Kevin Weisman OWNED the techie role!
adding major love for Leverage's Hardison and NCIS's McGee and Abby
I am just happy you mentioned Ross and Moy I love love love love The It Crowd!
I second:
Tosh from Torchwood
Mac from Veronica Mars
Chloe from Smallville
And I offer up:
Jake 2.0. - I mean the show was weak, but I doubt there would be "Chuck" without it.
Logan from Dark Angel?
And calling Angela from Bones a geek is really weak. She has a monitor, great she must be a geek.
Total cop out. Sorry, but it is.
Freakazoid!
TOSH! TOSH! TOSH!!!!
Also Harper on Andromeda. He is soo adorable.
Does Data count? Maybe? He is the ultimate computer geek, he is a computer!
OH and Charlie on Numbers
I second Mac and Marshall!
speaking of which, someone needs to start recapping Leverage on here, it's a darn good show
McGee, McGee, McGee!
Definitely Mac from VM, think of the purity test people.
This is the second article I've read that shines a positive light on Bones. Yet TWoP's official position is negative. What gives?
I have to say, I'm surprised Rodney McKay hasn't been mentioned once. I know he didn't specialize in computers but wasn't McKay a genius in every field?
Penny from Inspector Gadget. Oh, how I wanted one of those computer books. I blame her for my geekiness.
I know this show is so very beyond over, but can I get a little love for Birkoff from La Femme Nikita?
Um, what about Max Headroom? He was a true computer geek!
Chloe from 24 is the ultimate tech.
Loving Willow on here, but Chloe would out-tech her any day of the week.
Also John Connor from T:TSCC - but not as much.
Chloe from 24 is the ultimate tech.
Loving Willow on here, but Chloe would out-tech her any day of the week.
Also John Connor from T:TSCC - but not as much.
Um, Amita from Numb3rs? Hello? She is totally awesome.
I second Mac from VM and Penny from Inspector Gadget, but am wondering why no one has mentioned Doogie Howser or the geeky dude (can't remember his name) from Parker Lewis Can't Lose.
Gotta second the Rodney McKay love. I mean, the guy makes hacking ancient alien artifacts almost believable! Also, he insulted a computer interface by comparing it to DOS, so you know he's street legit.
Not to forget Alec Hardison. 'Cause we Doctor Who fans gotta stick together.
Larry from Numb3rs Needs to be up there!
As does McGee and Abby!
I very much agree with Chuck.
It should be Hodgins up there, not Angela!
Ash from Supernatural, I miss him...
Marshall from Alias.
Chloe from 24