'Fanboy and Chum Chum'
Three stars
7 p.m. Friday on Nickelodeon

One of the most heartening trends in TV has been the ascent of the nerd. Once upon a time, Screech and Urkel were banished to the fringes, trotted out periodically for mocking. But with the mainstream acceptance of such shows as "Ugly Betty," "The Big Bang Theory" and "Glee," dorks are finally demanding equal rights.

Fanboy and Chum Chum, rabid sci-fi/fantasy freaks, are center stage in this new CG animated series, which celebrates friendship as much as the wonder of wizardry. They may not have super powers. They may wear their tighty whities outside their unitards. But by the hammer of Thor, they have each other. "I packed you an extra cape in case you get cold," Fanboy tenderly tells Chum Chum.

They navigate grade school with boundless enthusiasm, oblivious to the anger of Kyle (Jamie Kennedy), the new boy who actually does have the talent to, say, summon a griffin. Maybe if we're lucky, they'll join forces with Spongebob and Patrick in a crossover special. It's gratifying to see losers win. According to this show, we can expect the geeks to inherit the universe.