Cosplay is short for “costume play,” nongeeks—I know, I was hoping for an underground subculture based around Cosby Show fan fiction, too. ---

Heroes of Cosplay, debuting tonight on Syfy, spotlights sci-fi/anime/videogame fans who’ve somehow found even more hours in the day to waste, constructing elaborate costumes based on their favorite imaginary characters in order to best one another at convention contests and “make a name for themselves in the competitive world of cosplay.”

Now, before you dehydrate yourself weeping for our country, it should be noted that the craftsmanship and passion displayed on Heroes of Cosplay is impressive and infectious; the rest of you might be swayed by six simple words: Hot nerd girls in skimpy costumes.