Beyond the Male Stereotype: Complicating Female Geek and Nerd Figures in Contemporary US Comedy Series

Abstract

The “nerd” or “geek” in US-American film and television has been a popular mainstay to represent distinct social hierarchies. This article aims to highlight the emergence of engaging and relatable female nerds and geeks that subvert the stereotypes associated with such figures in comedy TV series and sitcoms. Humour in these comedy series exposes the silliness of perceived stereotypes associated with geekdom and “othered” cultures, while at the same time questioning and resisting them through complex female characterization. This article analyses these current shifts in representational patterns that highlight different dimensions including race, sexuality, societal conflicts and interpersonal relationships of funny and “nerdy” female characters in American television. Through a comparative analysis of the geeky characterizations of Amy Santiago from Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021) in juxtaposition to Betty from Betty en NY (2019), and Devi Vishwakumar from Never Have I Ever (2020-2023) it demonstrates that gender and racial stereotypes influence the portrayal of “geeky” female characters who frequently have not been permitted to be fully developed characters but had to suppress their intelligence to be likeable. This portrayal has significantly changed into the depiction of powerful female nerds on screen in the last two decades.