Josh Schwartz, Prince of Nerds

By Joanne Weintraub
Wednesday, Jul 18 2007, 10:38 AM

In “The O.C.’s” Seth Cohen, writer-producer Josh Schwartz gave TV one of its most beloved nerds. Now that the Fox show is history, he’s hoping lightning will strike again with the equally smart, affable, geeky hero of NBC’s “Chuck,” an electronics salesman who, in time-honored TV fashion, becomes a reluctant and decidedly nerdy spy.

“As a writer, you want to write what you know,” said Schwartz. “And (I) know many more writers who resemble Chuck than, say, Jack Bauer.”

He noted that star Zachary Levi (“Less Than Perfect”), who plays the title character, has impressive geek-boy credentials of his own.

Schwartz: “After we wrapped the pilot, we asked Zach to come in and do ADR (additionaldialogue recording). His hand was bandaged, and we were like, ‘What happened?’ (He turns in Levi’s direction.) Apparently you were playing tennis with the Wii.”

Levi, half-proudly, half-sheepishly: “Yeah, I was playing Nintendo Wii.”

Schwartz: “And put his hand through a light fixture.”

Levi: “I got 14 stitches. I put my hand through a light fixture in my living room. So I’m cool. Who can cut their hand open playing Nintendo? This guy” – Chuck’s alter ego points to himself – “right here.”

(source)