Episode 125: Revenge of the Sherlockian Nerd

"a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend possessed" [FIVE]  Curtis Armstrong, BSI ("An Actor, and a Rare One") is known by many names. Miles Dalby, Charles De Mar, Herbert Viola, Scooter, Metatron, and of course, Booger. But around these parts, he is known as a keen Sherlockian who has been part of our little corner of the universe since his grade school days. His memoir Revenge of the Nerd: Or...the Singular Adventures of the Man Who Would Be Booger tells a series of tales that will be of interest to those who only know him through his remarkable career in show business. But we wanted to get behind all of that an delve into the intersection with his many other interests, such as Sherlock Holmes and P.G. Wodehouse, among others. From Detroit to Geneva and back again, from the stage to the big screen and small screen, we explore the intricacies of nerd culture — particularly when it comes to the Victorian misfit Sherlock Holmes. Early influences of Curtis still have an impact today, and he leaves us with lessons that should have every Sherlockian embracing their inner nerd. Please nominate I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere and/or Trifles on Podcast Awards in the Arts category. It's quick and easy. Information on sponsors, links, timing notes and transcript available below.   And please consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and this year, transcription services. SponsorsThis episode includes our two longtime sponsors, plus a new addition. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites:Wessex Press, publishers of Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle in the Newspapers: Volume 3. The Baker Street Journal, where you can find the July Half-Off Sale on four titles: A Remarkable Mixture; To Keep The Memory Green; The Grand Game, Volume Two; The Remarkable Characters of Arthur Conan Doyle. Would you care to become a sponsor? You can find more information here. Download [Save As] | 1:22:33 File size 38.2 MB,  Notes1:36 Panty raid! 5:50 Wessex Press 7:06 The many faces of Curtis Armstrong 9:15 What is a nerd? 12:00 Nerd beginnings in Detroit 17:01 First meeting with Sherlock Holmes 23:06 Joining the Trifling Monographs 25:22 Curtis's favorite Sherlock Holmes story currently is... 28:51 Radio dramatizations—the "Orson Welles" period 33:51 Who's a nerd in the Canon? 36:05 Was Sherlock Holmes a nerd? 43:37 The Baker Street Journal 45:07 Booger was Curtis! 47:02 Instruction at Meadow Brook by Billy the Page 52:05 A Plum interest 56:34 The roll tossing tradition at Wodehouse meetings 1:00:13 Comparing an actor's life to that of Sherlock Holmes's profession 1:03:34 Pay attention, grammar nerds and pun nerds1:09:49 The Editor's Gas-Lamp—guest reading from Curtis's book 1:19:19 Just one more thing... LinksCurtis Armstrong's book: Revenge of the Nerd: Or...the Singular Adventures of the Man Who Would Be BoogerMichael Dirda on Episode 38: On Conan DoyleSusan Rice, Curtis' Sherlockian mentor, on Episode 61: The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes and Episode 89: The Adventuresses of Sherlock HolmesThe 2003 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual: The Strength and Activity of YouthTerry Kilburn from the IMDbThe Wodehouse Society  Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at  ihose.co/flipsherlock, as well as on the The Sherlock Holmes Community on Google+ (with over 4,200 members), as well as through our accounts on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please subscribe to us on iTunes, Google Play, Soundcloud, Stitcher or Spreaker and be kind enough to leave a rating or review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable. Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsher