No list of things that nerds like can begin without mentioning Monty Python.  Monty Python is to nerds what Arrested Development is to white people - it’s an introduction into their own culture.  It’s the first thing that many nerds pleasantly experienced with other nerds while also being something exclusionary that they could finally lord over everyone around them.  While everybody around them was making fun of them for not knowing the names of every NFL team, not knowing any rap beyond M.C. Hammer and Vanilla Ice, or not knowing how to dance, they probably didn’t have a way to get even until they discovered Monty Python.  Then, whenever their school chums would remark on how they didn’t know the difference between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans, they could reply with something about the Knights who say ‘Ni!’, or ask for a shrubbery in a high, nasally voice.  Of course, they’d still get their asses forcefed to them through a new hole in their esophagus, but at least they knew that, for once, they finally outwitted their tormentors, coming up with a secret font of cultural knowledge that their tormentors knew nothing about.

Of course, Monty Python has been around for several years; chances are, most nerds learned of Monty Python through their parents.  Consequently, over the years, nerds have needed to come up with new ways to weed out real nerds from people that happened to have nerdy parents.  The easiest way to sort out a real nerd from someone with an unfortunate background is to ask what Monty Python movies or episodes they have seen:

Monty Python and the Holy Grail - The person is either related to or has been in a relationship with someone that is a nerd.  The only way listing this movie is acceptable nerd cred is if the person can quote the entire movie verbatim.  Note that every nerd has seen this movie at least a dozen times.

Monty Python’s Life of Brian - The person may have nerdy tendencies, but could just be a white person in disguise.  Treat with caution and use follow-up questions.  Most nerds have seen this movie at least once, and quite a few will claim this is their favorite Monty Python movie.

Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life - If the person has seen this, they’ve at least been around a nerd long enough for the nerd to trust that they may have an off-beat sense of humor that isn’t easily offended by naked women on rollerskates or the reproductive habits of the Irish.  Generally speaking, if a nerd is showing this movie to you, it’s because he or she has identified you as one of their own.  Consequently, not liking this movie is frequently considered a great insult and will banish you from nerd circles permanently.  That said, most nerds will not claim this is their favorite Monty Python movie, especially as they get older, preferring something more thoughtful, like Life of Brian, or obscure, like one of the following:

Any Monty Python Compilation - This would include compilations like And Now for Something Completely Different or Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl.  Even viewing any of these is a strong sign of nerdiness since few people under the age of 40 actually started watching Monty Python with their short sketches.  That said, many non-nerds will be able to list certain popular sketches from the compilations, such as the dead parrot sketch or the lumberjack; consequently, to prove nerd cred, it’s necessary to know a sketch that is a little more obscure.  That said, knowing a non-obvious sketch from the compilations will definitely earn you serious nerd points.

Monty Python’s Flying Circus - This is where things get somewhat interesting; though most nerds are familiar with Monty Python’s movies and enjoy them, actually owning Monty Python’s Flying Circus is a sign that you aren’t just a nerd, you’re a Monty Python nerd.  Though it’s vitally important to specialize in a specific field of nerdness in order to be an actual nerd, the more you specialize, the less you will be able to wander through nerd circles.  This is because, as nerds specialize, they become increasingly exclusionary, frequently trying to achieve an ultimate level of nerdiness that transcends all others; this allows them to not only be better than all non-nerds but also become superior to all nerds.  All other circles of nerds will frequently feel threatened by these ur-Nerds and will begin to shun them.  In the case of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, it’s universally acceptable in nerd circles to watch and appreciate the collection; owning and being able to quote verbatim more than 20% of the sketches, however, will immediately mark you as ascending into ur-Nerd status and render you suspect in non-Monty Python enjoying circles.  Worse yet, Monty Python nerds frequently overlap with theater people, which further taints and pollutes association with such types.

Any post-Monty Python production by Monty Python personnel - All nerds, even the non-Monty Python nerds, will be able to list and competently describe the plot of at least one non-Monty Python movie produced or acted in by Monty Python personnel, especially the works of Terry Gilliam.  Fairly common ones that nerds will be aware of is Brazil, or occasionally Time Bandits.  Mentioning Jabberwocky or The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, however, is considered to be dangerously close to slipping into Film Festival territory, due to their poor box office receipts and poor reviews, which means that it’s easy to be confused for a White Person when mentioning them.

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