In the pilot episode of “BBC America’s The Nerdist,” Chris Hardwick and his co-hosts Jonah Ray and Matt Mira get nerdy in a round-table discussion of gadgets, “Doctor Who” and more with guests Matt Smith (“Doctor Who”) and Craig Ferguson (“The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”). Chris’ longtime collaborator Mike Phirman of “Hard ‘n Phirm” performs as the show’s one-man band.

Chris and his co-hosts salute the new year with a one-hour review of the greatest and geekiest moments of 2011. Special guests Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Stand By Me”), Nathan Fillion (“Firefly,” “Castle”) and stand-up comedian Kumail Nanjiani (“Franklin & Bash”) join in the nerd-eriffic year-end festivities, including the crowning of “Nerdist of the Year.” Also, Chris travels to London for interviews with David Tennant (“Doctor Who,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) and Simon Pegg (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Star Trek,” “Mission Impossible”).

Chris and his co-hosts take a look at the genre of horror in celebration of the premiere of the fantasy drama “The Fades” on BBC America. The episode features interviews with Lily Loveless (“The Fades,” “Skins”) and English musician/composer Thomas Dolby as well as appearances by Kunal Nayyar (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Alison Brie (“Community,” “Mad Men”).