Today in Nerd History | March 17

March 17 brings us vampire-hunting action, an iconic wrestling showdown, celebrity pranks, brain-eating crime-solving, and a stand-up sensation. Let’s explore some Nerdy Facts about Castlevania: Bloodlines, Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock, Punk’d, iZombie, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel!

Inclusion on this list does not imply that the entry is family friendly, only that it was a nerd culture milestone. Parents should, of course, use discernment.

On March 17, 1994, Castlevania: Bloodlines hit the Sega Genesis, bringing the legendary vampire-slaying action to a new console.

Nerdy Facts:

• A Sega Exclusive: Bloodlines was the only Castlevania game released exclusively for a Sega console.
• A Different Kind of Hero: Unlike previous Castlevania games, Bloodlines let players choose between two protagonists—John Morris and Eric Lecarde—each with unique weapons and abilities.
• Historical Horror: The game’s story ties into real-world history, connecting Dracula’s resurrection to World War I.

On March 17, 2002, The Rock faced off against Hulk Hogan in an electrifying WrestleMania X8 match that became one of the most iconic bouts in WWE history.

Nerdy Facts:

• A Split Crowd: Despite being the villain, Hulk Hogan received overwhelming cheers from the crowd, leading to a unique in-match shift where The Rock played the de facto heel.
• Passing the Torch: The match symbolized a generational clash between WWE’s past and future, as The Rock was positioned as the company’s new leading star.
• Respect Earned: After the match, despite losing, Hogan shook The Rock’s hand in a moment of mutual respect that left fans roaring.

On March 17, 2003, Ashton Kutcher introduced the world to Punk’d, the celebrity prank show that left Hollywood stars paranoid.

Nerdy Facts:

• First Victim: The first celebrity ever punk’d was Justin Timberlake, who was tricked into believing the IRS was repossessing his home.
• Celebrity Panic: Other legendary pranks included Beyoncé “ruining” a Christmas tree lighting and Kanye West chasing down a production crew who faked stealing his music video footage.
• A-List Comebacks: The show ran for multiple seasons and even saw a revival with different hosts, proving that Hollywood stars never stop being prank-worthy.

On March 17, 2015, iZombie brought a fresh twist to the undead genre, blending crime-solving with brain-eating.

Nerdy Facts:

• Comic Book Roots: The show is based on the iZombie comic series by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, though it took major creative liberties.
• Brain Power: Each episode featured protagonist Liv Moore eating a new brain and gaining the deceased person’s personality and memories.
• Undead Cuisine: The show’s food stylist, Jodi-Lee McKechnie, had to create “brains” out of edible ingredients like gelatin, rice noodles, and cauliflower.

On March 17, 2017, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel debuted, taking viewers back to the 1950s for a hilarious and heartfelt look at a woman breaking into stand-up comedy.

Nerdy Facts:

• Award Magnet: The show won multiple Emmy Awards, including Best Comedy Series, and made Rachel Brosnahan a household name.
• Fast-Talking Genius: The show’s signature rapid-fire dialogue is a trademark of creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, who also created Gilmore Girls.
• Inspired by Legends: The character of Midge Maisel was influenced by real-life female comedians like Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller.

March 17 celebrates vampire hunters, epic wrestling showdowns, pranks, zombies, and comedy trailblazers. Happy Nerd History Day!