Revenge of the Nerds#Cast

File:RobertCarradine1SecondFilm.jpg

Best friends and nerds Lewis Skolnick and Gilbert Lowe enroll in Adams College to study computer science. The Alpha Betas, a fraternity that includes most of the Adams football team, carelessly burn down their own house and urged by Coach Harris, take over the freshman dorms, throwing the freshmen out into the street. Dean Ulich designates temporary living space in the gymnasium and allows the freshmen to rush the fraternities. Lewis, Gilbert, and several other nerds fail to join fraternities but obtain and renovate a dilapidated house near campus.

The Alpha Betas, led by star quarterback Stan Gable, are irked by the nerds' success, and Stan sets his fellow members to harassing the nerds, which includes throwing a rock through the window that says "Nerds, get out". The nerds complain to campus police who are constrained by the Greek Council that adjudicates all such pranks. Stan is currently president of the Council and largely controls its processes. The nerds decide to seek membership in the Greek Council by joining a national fraternity. After 29 rejection letters, the only one to consider them is the black fraternity Lambda Lambda Lambda (Tri-Lambs), led by U.N. Jefferson. After meeting the nerds, Jefferson is about to refuse their application when Poindexter notices the Tri-Lambs rulebook states that all applicants are given probationary membership. The nerds organize a large party with the Omega Mu sorority, similarly made up of nerdy and overweight women, including Gilbert's girlfriend Judy, and invite Jefferson to attend. The party is dull until Booger provides everyone with high quality marijuana. The Alpha Betas and the Pi Delta Pis, the sorority to which Stan's girlfriend Betty Childs belongs, then disrupt the party by bringing and releasing pigs. The nerds exact revenge on both groups by pulling pranks of their own. Impressed with the nerds' tenacity, Jefferson grants them full membership.

However, the harassment intensifies, and Stan prevents any attempts by the Greek Council to sanction Alpha Beta. The nerds realize the only way to get the Council to help is to put one of their own in as president, which they can do by winning the Greek Games during homecoming. Partnering with the Omega Mus and using their extensive scientific knowledge and creativity, the Tri-Lambs compete strongly with the Alpha Betas and Pi Delta Pis during the athletic events. At the charity fundraiser, the nerds heavily outsell the Alpha Betas by offering pies containing hidden nude pictures of Betty and other Pi Delta Pis. During this, Lewis, who has fallen in love with Betty, steals Stan's costume and tricks Betty into engaging in sexual intercourse with him. Finally, the nerds dominate the musical competition with a techno-computer-driven musical production, winning the overall games. Lewis immediately nominates Gilbert as the new Council president.

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Coach Harris lambasts the Alpha Betas for losing to the nerds, and Stan leads them in vandalizing the Tri-Lamb house. The nerds become despondent, and Gilbert decides to barge into the middle of the Homecoming Pep Rally to voice his complaints. The Alpha Betas try to stop him, but Jefferson and a large group of national Tri-Lambs arrive to intimidate the Alpha Betas, offering Gilbert the opportunity to give a rousing speech about standing up to discrimination. Lewis and the other Tri-Lambs, many alumni, and Betty, who announces she is "in love with a nerd", join in cheering Gilbert, soundly shaming the Alpha Betas. An emboldened Dean Ulich instructs Coach Harris that the Tri-Lambs will now live in the Alpha Beta house, while the Alpha Betas will live in the gym until they can repair the Tri-Lamb house.

{{castlist|

• Robert Carradine as Lewis Skolnick
• Anthony Edwards as Gilbert Lowe
• Ted McGinley as Stanley Harvey "Stan" Gable
• Julia Montgomery as Betty Childs (credited as "Julie Montgomery")
• Timothy Busfield as Arnold Poindexter
• Andrew Cassese as Harold Wormser
• Curtis Armstrong as Dudley "Booger" Dawson
• Larry B. Scott as Lamar Latrelle
• Brian Tochi as Toshiro Takashi
• Michelle Meyrink as Judy
• Matt Salinger as Danny Burke
• Donald Gibb as Frederick Aloysius "Ogre" Palowaski
• James Cromwell as Mr. Skolnick
• David Wohl as Dean Ulich
• John Goodman as Coach Harris
• Bernie Casey as U.N. Jefferson
• Alice Hirson as Mrs. Lowe
• Lisa Welch as Suzy

}}

The movie was inspired by a Los Angeles magazine article, titled "Revenge of the Nerds", that describes computer programmers gaining respect in Silicon Valley.Gold, Jon (July 20, 2014). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/213592703 'Revenge of the Nerds' Turns 30] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903172742/https://www.newspapers.com/image/213592703 |date=September 3, 2022 }}". Arizona Daily Star. p. E1, E5.

Director Jeff Kanew saw Ted McGinley on the cover of a "Men of USC" calendar and decided he was perfect for the role of the head of the Alpha Beta fraternity. Kanew cast Matt Salinger as another Alpha Beta brother because he loved his father J. D. Salinger's book The Catcher in the Rye so much.

A scene of a Tri-Lambda convention in Las Vegas was deleted because a 20th Century Fox executive thought it was making fun of him.

The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, was chosen to film many of the exterior scenes. Bill J. Varney, the university's assistant vice president for administrative services, approved filming, particularly after 20th Century Fox agreed to make a large donation to the university.{{Cite web |date=16 December 1983 |title=Of All the Nerd: UofA Officials Refuse to Let 'Raunchy' Movie Be Filmed on Campus |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/121637499/ |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Arizona Republic |page=123 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219000058/https://www.newspapers.com/image/121637499/ |url-status=live }} Two weeks later, the university's administrators revoked permission to film on campus.Svejcara, Bob (January 13, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/162838975/ 'Nerds' Casting Call Draws Likely Candidates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708230013/https://www.newspapers.com/image/162838975/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Arizona Daily Star. p. 21. Dudley B. Woodard, university vice president for student affairs, said the movie would not "portray campus life in a representative way"."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/578522239/ UA Officials to Meet with Producers of 'Nerds' Film to Work Out Dispute] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708230521/https://www.newspapers.com/image/578522239/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Tucson Citizen. December 15, 1983. p. 1B. Allan Beigel, vice president of university relations, said there was nothing that would make them change their minds.

After some negotiations, the university allowed filming on campus as long as the producers tried to schedule film shooting so as to not affect campus activities, not film anything "with a questionable nature with regards to taste", and accept advice from fraternities. Film shooting on campus began in January 1984."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/163359517/ Pro Nerds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708230533/https://www.newspapers.com/image/163359517/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Arizona Daily Star. January 31, 1984. p. 15.Severson, Ed (April 22, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/163948928/ Library Should Close to Give Sports and Films a Chance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708230524/https://www.newspapers.com/image/163948928/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". The Arizona Daily Star. p. 2J.

The nerds' original residence, from which they were ousted by the Alpha Betas, was actually Cochise Hall.{{cite web |url=http://www.life.arizona.edu/undergraduate/has/halldescripts/cochise.asp |title=ResLife: Cochise Hall |work= University of Arizona |access-date=November 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100728221826/http://www.life.arizona.edu/undergraduate/has/halldescripts/cochise.asp |archive-date=July 28, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}Tresaugue, Matt (August 17, 1996). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/747279115 Next Stop: Tucson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903171046/https://www.newspapers.com/image/747279115 |date=September 3, 2022 }}". Daily Press (Victorville, California). p. D1, D2. Their subsequent residence was University of Arizona's Bear Down Gymnasium.{{Cite web |last=Danehy |first=Tom |date=November 21, 2013 |title=Goodbye to the Gym |url=https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/goodbye-to-the-gym/Content?oid=3913632 |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Tucson Weekly |language=en |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219000059/https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/goodbye-to-the-gym/Content?oid=3913632 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Revenge of the Nerds |url=https://tucson.com/revenge-of-the-nerds/article_9c93d3a4-48d4-11ed-9205-739f39f00703.html |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Arizona Daily Star |language=en |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219000100/https://tucson.com/revenge-of-the-nerds/article_9c93d3a4-48d4-11ed-9205-739f39f00703.html |url-status=live }} The original Alpha Beta fraternity house that is burned down was filmed at the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house (on University Boulevard).

Casting for extras, specifically for mean jocks, sorority sisters, and members of a black fraternity, was held at the University of Arizona's Drama Building and at a Tucson Hilton Inn.Anderson, Susan L. (January 16, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/578529277/ It Took All Kinds for 'Revenge of the Nerds'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708230526/https://www.newspapers.com/image/578529277/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Tucson Citizen. p. 15.

While working as a security guard during filming, an off-duty police officer found a vial with a small amount of cocaine in a dressing room. The police decided not to pursue an investigation because it would be impossible to determine whose it was.Betta, Leo Della (March 25, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/162944741/ There's No Good Way to 'Jump' Stories] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708231032/https://www.newspapers.com/image/162944741/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". The Arizona Daily Star. p. C4.

Interior scenes were shot at Old Tucson Studios.Jennings, John (February 27, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/578543899/ Tourism's Key Word is 'Flood' — Of Visitors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708231559/https://www.newspapers.com/image/578543899/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Tucson Citizen. p. 4 Tourism.

Different sources report the film's budget between $6{{nbsp}}million and $8{{nbsp}}million, low for a feature film of the time.

According to producers Ted Field and Peter Samuelson, the two had to fight for the ending pep rally scene as others involved in the production wanted a more cathartic ending where the Nerds would get more violent revenge on the Alpha Betas including destroying their house.{{cite web |title=Revenge of the Nerds (1984)|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/57180-REVENGE-OFTHENERDS?sid=af747426-c615-40f2-bd6c-8ccbc872665c&sr=11.436069&cp=1&pos=0|website=AFI |access-date=April 25, 2024}} Field and Samuelson further stated that the nerds' actions were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's usage of passive resistance.

{{Infobox album

| name = Revenge of the Nerds

| type = soundtrack

| artist = various artists

| cover =

| alt =

| released = September 1984"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/393750601/ Nerds Get Their Revenge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708231542/https://www.newspapers.com/image/393750601/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". The Daily News-Journal (Murfreesboro, Tennessee). September 9, 1984. p. Accent 10.
March 31, 1998 CD

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = College rock, new wave, synthpop

| length =

| label = Scotti Brothers

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r230516|title= Revenge of the Nerds Original Soundtrack }}

}}

{{track listing

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Manhattan

| extra1 = Andrea & Hot Mink

| length1 = 3:45

| title2 = Don't Talk

| extra2 = Ya Ya

| length2 = 4:02

| title3 = One Foot in Front of the Other

| extra3 = Bone Symphony

| length3 = 3:10

| title4 = Breakdown

| extra4 = The Rubinoos

| length4 = 3:34

| title5 = Revenge of the Nerds

| extra5 = The Rubinoos

| length5 = 3:19

| title6 = They're So Incredible

| extra6 = Revenge

| length6 = 3:54

| title7 = Are You Ready?

| extra7 = Ya Ya

| length7 = 4:02

| title8 = Are You Ready for the Sex Girls

| extra8 = Gleaming Spires

| length8 = 4:10

| title9 = Right Time for Love

| extra9 = Pat Robinson and Jill Michaels

| length9 = 4:00

| title10 = All Night Party

| extra10 = Gleaming Spires

| length10 = 2:31

}}

Ollie E. Brown, of Ollie & Jerry fame, wrote and performed the song "They're So Incredible" for the film, under the name Revenge. In the film, the song is performed by the Tri-Lambs at the final event of the Greek Games and contains different lyrics.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}

Three songs appear in the film but not on the soundtrack: "Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads, "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, and "We Are the Champions" by Queen.Davidson, Jim (July 21, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/146579658/ 'Animal House' Ploys Mar Avenging 'Nerds'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708231619/https://www.newspapers.com/image/146579658/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". The Pittsburg Press. p. B8.

Revenge of the Nerds was panned by many reviewers at release. Lawrence Van Gelder for The New York Times wrote, "It is the absence of genuine comedy that exposes glaringly the film's fundamental attitude of condescension and scorn toward blacks and women, and a tendency toward stereotyping that clashes violently with its superficial message of tolerance, compassion and fair play."{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/20/movies/campus-nerds.html | title = Campus 'Nerds' | date = July 20, 1984 | access-date = January 7, 2020 | work = The New York Times | first = Lawrence | last = van Gelder | page = C8 | archive-date = May 23, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190523205343/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/20/movies/campus-nerds.html | url-status = live }} The Hollywood Reporter said "Revenge of the Nerds is primarily the story of outcasts getting their just rewards, and that is always a satisfying movie ingredient. Nonetheless, this scattergun, often scatological film is filled with extensive racial stereotypes, which may offend some moviegoers."{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/revenge-nerds-review-1984-movie-1022865 | title = 'Revenge of the Nerds': THR's 1984 Review | date = July 20, 2017 | access-date = January 7, 2020 | work = The Hollywood Reporter | archive-date = May 23, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190523204737/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/revenge-nerds-review-1984-movie-1022865 | url-status = live }} The Atlanta Constitution said that Lewis's pursuit of a cheerleader "goes beyond being pathetic and becomes masochistic".Cain, Scott (July 20, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/399493690/ 'Revenge of the Gag Writers' More Like It] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708231547/https://www.newspapers.com/image/399493690/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 9P. Newsday called it "another predictable and witless teenage sex comedy".Kaufman, Bill (July 20, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/721389997/ Review: 'Nerds' Plagued by Teenage Antics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708231548/https://www.newspapers.com/image/721389997/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Newsday (Long Island, New York). p. 6II.

Kevin Thomas of The Los Angeles Times thoroughly enjoyed the movie, calling it "a delicious, gratifying underdog fantasy and a raunchy, uproarious satire set in the often cruel and inherently discriminating world of college fraternities and sororities".Thomas, Kevin (July 20, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/400661404/ 'Revenge of the Nerds' Skewers Fraternity Row] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232103/https://www.newspapers.com/image/400661404/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". The Los Angeles Times. p. 6J.

Revenge of the Nerds was released in theaters on July 20, 1984, although some theaters showed the movie a few days early as a sneak preview.Roysdon, Keith (July 12, 1984). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/250367957/ State Fair Features Tunes for All Tastes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232107/https://www.newspapers.com/image/250367957/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Muncie Evening Press (Muncie, Indiana). p. 22."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/95758955/ What's Where?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232107/https://www.newspapers.com/image/95758955/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Bernardsville News (Bernardsville, New Jersey). July 12, 1984. p. 8."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/140865962/ Movies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232111/https://www.newspapers.com/image/140865962/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. July 13, 1984. p. 9C."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/623895225/ The Film Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232637/https://www.newspapers.com/image/623895225/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". The Charlotte News. July 12, 1984. p. 4D."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/89375648/ Cinemette Theaters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232615/https://www.newspapers.com/image/89375648/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 18, 1984. p. 34."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/613517193/ Major Studio Sneak Preview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232617/https://www.newspapers.com/image/613517193/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". The Salt Lake Tribune. July 18, 1984. p. 13."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/267288082/ Major Studio Sneak Preview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232616/https://www.newspapers.com/image/267288082/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". The Pensacola News (Pensacola, Florida). July 18, 1984. p. 9."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/472279151/ Major Studio Sneak Preview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232620/https://www.newspapers.com/image/472279151/ |date=July 8, 2023 }}". Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta). July 18, 1984. p. D12.

The film grossed $40{{nbsp}}million domestically.

The film was released on DVD on March 6, 2007,{{cite AV media|url=https://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Nerds-Panty-Robert-Carradine/dp/B000M341QY|title=Revenge of the Nerds|medium=DVD|work=20th Century Fox Home Entertainment|publisher=20th Century Fox|location=Century City, Los Angeles|date=March 6, 2007|access-date=April 21, 2018|asin=B000M341QY}} and on Blu-ray on May 6, 2014, by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Of-The-Nerds-Blu-ray/dp/B00IYIB9CI/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=|title=Revenge of the Nerds|medium=Blu-ray|work=20th Century Fox Home Entertainment|publisher=20th Century Fox|location=Century City, Los Angeles|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=April 21, 2018|asin=B00IYIB9CI}}

The film holds a 71% critics' approval rating film review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 43 critics' reviews. Their consensus reads: "Undeniably lowbrow but surprisingly sly, Revenge of the Nerds has enough big laughs to qualify as a minor classic in the slobs-vs.-snobs subgenre".{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/revenge_of_the_nerds |title=Revenge of the Nerds |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-date=March 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323230217/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/revenge_of_the_nerds |url-status=live }}

On Metacritic, it has a score of 44 out of 100, based on reviews from six critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/revenge-of-the-nerds|title=Revenge of the Nerds|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=June 2, 2019|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106040258/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/revenge-of-the-nerds|url-status=live}}

It is #91 on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies".{{cite web |url=https://www.listsofbests.com/list/7092?page=2 |title=Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies" on Lists of Bests |publisher=Listsofbests.com |date=June 2, 2006 |access-date=November 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202111234/http://www.listsofbests.com/list/7092?page=2 |archive-date=February 2, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}

Due to the influence of the film, a genuine Lambda Lambda Lambda fraternity was founded at the University of Connecticut in 2006, and several chapters have launched. The "Tri-Lambs" (not an all-black fraternity as portrayed in the film, but open to all races and orientations) has six chapters in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Washington state.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailycampus.com/media/storage/paper340/news/2007/01/25/News/Friends.Start.Fraternity.From.Scratch-2677754.shtml|title=Friends Start Fraternity From Scratch|date=January 25, 2007|author=Melissa Bishop|publisher=The Daily Campus|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120084421/http://www.dailycampus.com/media/storage/paper340/news/2007/01/25/News/Friends.Start.Fraternity.From.Scratch-2677754.shtml|archive-date=January 20, 2013|df=mdy-all}}

About three decades after the film's release, some commentators have looked at the film and considered some of the scenes, particularly when Lewis pretends to be Stan and has a sexual encounter with Betty, to be rape by deception and a misogynistic remnant of a male-dominated culture of that time.{{cite web |last=Hefland |first=Michael |date=July 1, 2015 |title=Abusing women was cool in the 80's |url=http://www.chicagonow.com/chicagos-real-law-blog/2015/07/abusing-women-was-cool-in-the-80s/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702134700/https://www.chicagonow.com/chicagos-real-law-blog/2015/07/abusing-women-was-cool-in-the-80s/ |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |access-date=November 5, 2015 |work=Chicago Now}}{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Wesley |date=2018-10-04 |title=In '80s Comedies, Boys Had It Made. Girls Were the Joke. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/04/movies/brett-kavanaugh-80s-teen-comedies.html |access-date=2023-02-18 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708232619/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/04/movies/brett-kavanaugh-80s-teen-comedies.html |url-status=live }} William Bradley of The Mary Sue stated that after viewing the film again as an adult he "was immediately struck by the way the film plays sexual exploitation and assault for laughs".{{cite web | url = http://www.themarysue.com/reconsidering-revenge/ | title = Reconsidering Revenge: How Revenge Of The Nerds' Misogyny Is Evident In Current Nerd Culture | first = William | last = Bradley | date = April 3, 2015 | access-date = November 5, 2015 | work = The Mary Sue | archive-date = July 8, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230708233120/https://www.themarysue.com/reconsidering-revenge/ | url-status = live }} Amy Benfer of Salon wrote that the Revenge of the Nerds scene, and a similar scene in John Hughes's Sixteen Candles, were evidence that at the time of these films' productions, "people were stupid about date rape".{{cite web | url = http://www.salon.com/2009/08/11/16_candles/ | title = The 'Sixteen Candles' date rape scene? | first = Amy | last = Benfor | date = October 9, 2009 | access-date = November 5, 2015 | work = Salon | archive-date = May 16, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170516141545/http://www.salon.com/2009/08/11/16_candles/ | url-status = live }}

In an interview with GQ in 2019, director Jeff Kanew and writer Steve Zacharias expressed their regret regarding the rape by deception scene, with Kanew saying, "In a way, it's not excusable. If it were my daughter, I probably wouldn't like it".{{Cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/revenge-of-the-nerds-oral-history|title=The Oral History of 'Revenge of the Nerds'|last=Knopper|first=Steve|date=July 26, 2019|website=GQ|language=en|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-date=November 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122071646/https://www.gq.com/story/revenge-of-the-nerds-oral-history|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://decider.com/2019/07/26/revenge-of-the-nerds-rape-scene-regret/|title='Revenge of the Nerds' Filmmakers Address Controversial Rape Scene: 'I Regret That'|last=Spellberg|first=Claire|date=July 26, 2019|website=Decider|language=en|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-date=April 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405084718/https://decider.com/2019/07/26/revenge-of-the-nerds-rape-scene-regret/|url-status=live}}

Three less successful sequels followed; the last two are television films.

• Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987)
• Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation (1992)
• Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love (1994)

A remake of the original Revenge of the Nerds was slated for release in 2007, the first project for the newly created Fox Atomic, but was canceled in November 2006 after two weeks of filming. The cast included Adam Brody, Dan Byrd, Katie Cassidy, Kristin Cavallari, Jenna Dewan, Chris Marquette, Ryan Pinkston, Efren Ramirez, and Nick Zano. The film was to be directed by Kyle Newman, executive produced by McG, and written by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah, Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson, and Adam F. Goldberg.{{cite web|url=http://www.collegenews.org/x6334.xml|title="Nerds" Get Revenge on Agnes Scott Campus|publisher=Collegenews.org|date=November 3, 2006|access-date=June 8, 2008|archive-date=February 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202091858/http://www.collegenews.org/x6334.xml|url-status=live}}

Filming took place in Atlanta, Georgia at Agnes Scott College, the Georgia State Capitol, and Inman Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/movies/content/movies/stories/2006/10/13/1014LVnerds.html|title='Nerds' will hang out in Atlanta|publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|author=Longino, Bob|date=October 14, 2006|access-date=June 8, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202143831/http://www.accessatlanta.com/movies/content/movies/stories/2006/10/13/1014LVnerds.html|archive-date=February 2, 2009|df=mdy-all}} Filming was originally scheduled to take place at Emory University, but university officials changed their minds after reading the script.{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=f8e2e05e-dec6-47fd-a82c-a23b8dce50f0|title=No Revenge for New Nerds|website=E!|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|last=Grossberg|first=Josh|date=November 22, 2006|access-date=June 8, 2008|archive-date=June 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620171337/http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=f8e2e05e-dec6-47fd-a82c-a23b8dce50f0|url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=November 23, 2006 |title=Naughty 'Nerds' remake is shut down |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/11/23/naughty-nerds-remake-is-shut-down/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511160019/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-11-23/news/0611230299_1_fox-atomic-revenge-campus |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |access-date=November 24, 2010 |website=Chicago Tribune}} The film was shelved after producers found the movie difficult to shoot on the smaller Agnes Scott campus and studio head Peter Rice was disappointed with the dailies.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/atomic-blast-to-nerds-1117954365/ |title=Atomic blast to 'Nerds' |work=Variety |author1=LaPorte, Nicole |author2=Alex Romanelli |date=November 21, 2006 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202082854/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117954365.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |url-status=live }} 20th Century Fox personnel have stated that it is highly unlikely that a remake will be picked up in the future.

Seth MacFarlane announced his intentions to reboot the series under his Fuzzy Door Productions for 20th Century Studios in December 2020 with Kenny and Keith Lucas to write and star in the film.{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2020/film/news/revenge-of-the-nerds-reboot-lucas-brothers-1234854322/ | title = Seth MacFarlane to Reboot 'Revenge of the Nerds' With the Lucas Brothers | first = Rebecca | last = Rubin | date = December 16, 2020 | access-date = December 16, 2020 | work = Variety | archive-date = December 16, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201216150115/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/revenge-of-the-nerds-reboot-lucas-brothers-1234854322/ | url-status = live }}

A pilot for a Revenge of the Nerds television series directed by Peter Baldwin was produced in 1991, but was never aired and was not picked up for a series.{{cite book|last=Terrace|first=Vincent|title=Encyclopedia of Unaired Television Pilots, 1945-2018|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tnZyDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA198|date=9 October 2018|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-3349-7|page=198|access-date=July 20, 2019|archive-date=July 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708233122/https://books.google.com/books?id=tnZyDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA198|url-status=live}}{{cite book|last=Lentz|first=Harris M III|title=Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2017|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FspZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT32|date=25 April 2018|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-7032-4|page=32|access-date=July 20, 2019|archive-date=July 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708233122/https://books.google.com/books?id=FspZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT32|url-status=live}} The aborted TV pilot was later included as a bonus in the DVD and Blu-ray release of the film.

In the mid-2000s, Armstrong and Carradine had devised an idea for a reality television show based on nerds competing against each other in challenges, inspired by Revenge of the Nerds. However, the idea was rejected at the time, due to the competing Beauty and the Geek show. Six years later, Armstrong and Carradine shopped the idea around and were able to get the show greenlit on TBS in 2012. King of the Nerds ran for three seasons from 2013 to 2015, with Armstrong and Carradine hosting.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/curtis-booger-armstrong-on-his-new-reality-show-king-of-the-nerds-20130214|date=February 14, 2013|access-date=January 10, 2015|last=Greene|first=Andy|magazine=Rolling Stone|title=Curtis 'Booger' Armstrong on His New Reality Show, 'King of the Nerds'}}

{{Portal|United States|1980s|Film|Comedy}}

• Animal House (1978)

{{reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{IMDb title|0088000}}
• {{AFI film|57180}}
• {{mojo title|revengeofthenerds}}
• [http://www.fast-rewind.com/revengenerds.htm Revenge of the Nerds] on Fast Rewind

{{Revenge of the Nerds}}

{{Jeff Kanew}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Revenge of the Nerds}}

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