Nerds of the '90s...TODAY

I'm feeling a little bit nostalgic today. I watch television today, and I realize that I miss quality television programming like The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Family Matters, and Saved By The Bell during prime time. But these shows are special for many reasons. One is that they are in syndication and because of that, I have probably seen almost every single episode of each of these shows (thank you TBS!). The other is that they feature very prominent and famous nerds from the 1990s. They are Carlton Banks, Screech Powers, and Steve Urkel (as opposed to his alter ego, Stefan Urquelle). Now, all of them were the same in the 1990s. They were awkward, socially inept, and pure hilarity. Unfortunately, time did not treat them all well. There were different paths for each nerd.

There is the path of Screech Powers or Dustin Diamond. He used to be the sweet, awkward nerd chasing after Lisa Turtle in Bayside. He was Zack Morris' best friend and the valedictorian, over his equally smart and hard working friend Jessie Spano. He was the perfect foil to Zack Morris' pure confidence and AC Slater's brawn. Yes, his portrayal of the typical high school nerd was very stereotypical and fell back on lame bug references and generally creepy tendencies. But in all of that creepiness was an endearing, but nerdy, character that America knew and loved.

Pictured: Screech Powers, NOT Novak Djokovic

Unfortunately, time did not do well for Screech. He took the route of most child stars and became a raving lunatic. I kid, of course, but his descent for stardom is pretty much the usual when dealing with child stars. He never became famous after his turn as Screech Powers, so he did what any regular washed-up star would do and joined as many reality television shows he could. But he made enemies nearly everywhere he went, especially on Celebrity Fit Club. He had a sex tape, wrote a tell-all autobiography which talked about all of the goings-on in the SBTB background, and pretty much became a total jerk. He shed his nerdiness for the worse. Instead of being considered a nerd, he is now considered a tool.

Pictured: Dustin Diamond, NOT Doug from The Hangover

The next nerd is Steve Urkel. He was the sweetest, but undoubtedly most awkward, nerd of them all. He had the suspenders, the giant glasses, and the clumsiness. He even had his own catchline ("Did I do that?). But, like Screech, he was in love with a woman way out of his league named Laura. Steve had more gadgets and inventions than Screech, including a working nuclear reactor and a cloning machine. He also had a suave clone named Stefan Urquelle. The show went a little crazy near the end, but Steve was always a major draw. He was funny, clumsy, and of course endearing. He is one of the better nerds on television.

Steve Urkel, suspenders and all

Well, Steve Urkel matured. A lot. Jaleel White, who played Steve Urkel, is one guy you would not want to mess with. Steve Urkel would back away from a fight, but Jaleel White looks like he would start one. It was pretty clear that Steve Urkel would grow out of his nerdy shell and become a smooth talking player (just look at that portrayal of Stefan Urquelle. Give Jaleel White his Emmy now!). He also was arrested for assault so he actually will fight you. If you look at the picture, you will realize that that man is not someone to be messed with. Instead of being considered a nerd, he is now a pimp.

Jaleel White, pimpin' outfit and all

Then we come to Carlton Banks. He was spoiled and elitist. He was snobbish. He had a shrewd business sense. He was bound for Princeton. He had some great moves and he could sing. Carlton Banks was a great character on a great television show. But he was a nerd. He followed all of the rules, over-studied everything, and had very little luck with the ladies (for the most part). But he was a nice guy on many levels and was a great part of the Banks family.

Carlton Banks circa 1990s

Now, he really isn't that much different. I mean, he isn't a nerd or elitist, but he hasn't drastically changed his appearance or demeanor. He will always be known as Carlton Banks, and though the other two entries will also be known for their nerdiest role, Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton Banks, has not done much to alter his nerdiness. I think that that is why Carlton Banks has aged the best of all three showcased nerds. He allowed nature to do its work. He never really shed his nerdy shell.

Carlton Banks circa 2000s

So there are the three 90s nerds. But I think that you, as viewers, deserve something more. I mean, it's not unusual for a blogger to be kind to his readers. So here it is. I present to you, Carlton Banks.