Q: What do you mean by “Customizing”?
A: Customizing is one of the main hallmarks of a Rent-A-Nerd performance. Information learned about the guest of honor, company, or event is worked into the show. When you order a customized performance, you receive a questionaire. The entertainer assigned to the event then calls you and arranges a telephone interview, at which time the personalized information is discussed. For private parties, customized information takes the form of funny stories, embarrassing moments, nicknames, and the tattoo on her butt. For companies, we get background information on products and services, the industry, the competition, trends, problems, and fun information about customers and employees.

Q: Do you give something to the guest of honor?
A: Yes we do, and it’s very fitting, too! At a private party, the guest of honor receives and ends up wearing: a propeller beanie, nerd glasses with tape, pocket protector (of course), and toilet paper on the shoe. The guest of honor is also presented with a University of Nerdity Diploma, with his name on it, as well as yours. It’s a nice way of acknowledging you and the gang—or turning you in!

Q: How would you describe your Nerds and Nerdettes?
A: Rent-A-Nerd Nerds and Nerdettes are free spirits, with loads of confidence, innocence, and optimism. They have much lower than average looks, very low physical coordination, and higher than average intelligence. Both Nerds and Nerdettes are inspirations to others. Normally, people looking like them are expected to crawl in a corner and hide. To the contrary, Rent-A-Nerds Nerds and Nerdettes celebrate their humanity and give people permission to express and celebrate that which they find vulnerable.

The Nerd is a studious, socially gregarious, intelligent guy with tape on his glasses, shirt caught in his fly, and toilet paper stuck to his shoe. He is open-minded and good at any non-athletic pursuit which he puts his mind to. Our Nerds aren’t afraid to ask out any woman, but tend to go for the more down-to-earth girls.

The Nerdette is very out-going and loves the company of men. She is highly confident and thinks men adore her. She is not afraid to make a pass of her own or just outright ask him to marry her. Nerdettes are smart and very nurturing individuals, often settling into careers that care for or help people in some way, like stress management consultant, image consultant, hair stylist, and self-esteem counselor.

Q: How do your Nerds and Nerdettes dress?
A: The standard clothes for a Nerd under most conditions is mismatched plaid sport coat and flood pants, goofy tie, shirt caught in his fly, tape on his glasses, and a pocket protector filled with interesting things—the traditional nerd look. Their hair is short, often appearing greasy, and sometimes sporting a cowlick of mass proportions. Rent-A-Nerd Nerds never have facial hair. Nerdettes have more creative choices ranging from weird slacks and blouse combinations to odd dresses. Wacky jewelry, bows, and hairstyles are very common, as are bad make-up jobs like lipstick on the teeth. Bowling shoes and knee-high stockings are not out of the question.

Q: Do people ever think your Nerds are real?
A: Sometimes, but only in special cases (see the last paragraph of this answer). Deception and manipulation is not the purpose of Rent-A-Nerd. The Rent-A-Nerd comedy concept is what we call "real-time comedy." This means that everyone knows it’s a joke from the very start and nobody is left feeling awkward or uncomfortable. The laughing is happening in real-time, not after the Nerd leaves and the host let’s everyone in on the secret. We’re just enough "over the top" for people to realize it’s a joke. Everyone knows it’s a joke, but they all want to believe it’s true like the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus.

For instance, people frequently hire Nerds and Nerdettes to mingle at wedding receptions during the cocktail hour. Cocktail hour is uncomfortable enough for the guests without having to worry about the threat of some big weirdo prowling around. Our purpose is to make people laugh, lighten up their stressful lives, and, at the very least, get them through the cocktail hour.

There are times where a Nerd goes, for instance, to an office as the new wealthy customer with a solid referral, ready to spend all his money. In this case, we usually focus on one individual and use a precise formula to make the performance work.

Q: Aren’t you just making fun of Nerds?
A: At Rent-A-Nerd, we celebrate the Nerd and his world. It is our thinking that the Nerd is truly the existential hero of our time, standing for truth, honesty, and self-expression. He does exactly what he wants.

Q: So, is it funny?
A: Comedy is extremely subjective and nobody can guarantee laughter. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the customer to select entertainment that is appropriate for his group. For instance, if you’re hosting a dinner for vegetarians, you wouldn't want to serve hamburgers. This is why, when you call us for information, we ask you a lot of questions and then help you to understand how we'd approach your specific event. Rent-A-Nerd is world famous for its comedy, but there are millions of people don't like huge comedy icons like The Three Stooges. Also see the FAQ called Is Rent-A-Nerd appropriate for my event? (below).

Q: Is Rent-A-Nerd appropriate for my event?
A: Rent-A-Nerd is high quality entertainment. People of all ethnic, economic, social, and religious backgrounds have enjoyed Rent-A-Nerd performances. Companies from almost every industry have hired Rent-A-Nerd for their employees, customers, and events. From a reasonable person’s perspective, it’s good, clean fun, and not gross. But, hey! We’re Nerds!

To determine its appropriateness, you will need to assess the sensibilities and sense of humor of your particular group. Basically, if they’re down-to-earth, then they’ll love Rent-A-Nerd. To have a sense of humor usually means that someone has gone through his fair share of adversity, low points, and challenges. Down-to-earth people usually have. On the other hand, if the worst problem your guests have had is that the maid doesn’t show up on time, then Rent-A-Nerd may not be for them. See the FAQ called So, is it funny?.

Q: Is Rent-A-Nerd humiliating?
A: Is blowing out the candles on a birthday cake while every sings "Happy Birthday" humiliating to the birthday girl? For a normal person, no. Is it embarrassing? For a normal person, probably yes, but she wouldn’t trade it for the world! If Rent-A-Nerd would humiliate people, hundreds of people every year wouldn’t be hiring us to perform for their loved ones. Rent-A-Nerd is a totally positive experience. Here’s a little bit comedy theory that supports the Rent-A-Nerd concept.