King of the Nerds: Season 1
  • Network: TBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 17, 2013
  • Season #: 1
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Jan 17, 2013
    70
    As questionable as the setup sounds, it actually strikes the right tone by neither making fun of nor blindly praising the competitors for their quirks (of which they have many).
  2. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Chris Conaton
    Jan 17, 2013
    60
    The mix of appealing nerds and lack of truly grating nerds is calculated for viewers' comfort, but the first episode is decidedly bland, too. Viewers looking for a new take on the reality competition genre won't find it here.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Jan 16, 2013
    60
    The competitors may not be all that amusing, but some of the show's gimmicks are.
  4. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jan 17, 2013
    58
    This energetically produced, brightly colored concoction hits the guilty pleasure spot more often than not.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jan 16, 2013
    50
    Former "Revenge of the Nerds" stars Carradine and Armstrong (who helped develop the concept) do appear to have fun, but after the opening kick of seeing them reunited in this fashion, even that begins to yield diminishing returns.
  6. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jan 16, 2013
    50
    It's a cute concept but producers don't seem to have a knack for proper execution, filling time with terribly padded segments--picking teams takes an eternity--and challenges (watching people play chess in the premiere) that, try as they might, don't make for compelling TV.
  7. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 17, 2013
    40
    There is one clever gimmick--the winner gets to sit upon a "Throne of Games"--but the very-long-hour opener is a tedious affair.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.7 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 3 out of 8
  1. Kellanne
    0
    WTF!. The king of the nerds comes down to a popularity contest. The least nerdy quality there is. The most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Celeste did absolutely nothing to deserve that. Genevieve worked her butt off. I refuse to watch the next season on principle.… Full Review »
  2. Burlybastard
    0
    I would not waste my time with this show. Good show till the it got to the finals. The winner isn't decided by wits or ability, its by a vote from the banned nerds. A popularity contest? Is this prom? You had a contestant that proved herself over and over again vs a complete slacker that never had to go into a head to head fight.… Full Review »
  3. irbe209
    3
    Your standard game show with nerds. I was bored after their first episode The only funny part is that everyone is strange I was hoping for something that was different from your standard boring game show. But you won't find it here.… Full Review »
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