From time to time, The Average White Guy feels like he needs to do a public service. So today, I’m going to go out on a limb for a guy, who I’ve never met, will probably never meet, but has changed my life. He’s flown under the radar for a number of years, but it’s time we bring him back. I’m counting on all your support here. This man was an important figure in my life growing up, and it’s time I pay him back….

His name is Scott Valentine, and he portrayed “Nick”, the loveable - if dim-witted - junk sculptor boyfriend to Mallory on Family Ties. Mallory loved him, not because of what he was, but who he was. She taught that to me, and now I appreciate Nick for the person he is too. I mean who were we to judge him? Sure, he wasn’t the smartest or most well-read men in history, but there was that one episode where he thought that his lack of intellect and manners were going to cost him his relationship with Mallory. We saw that there is a mild-mannered gentleman in there, he just chooses not to act so dignified. So if he’s happy with him, why can’t we be? I don’t think there was another actor in Hollywood at the time (except Scott Baio - who was doing his own show) who could have pulled it off.

Scott has had a long acting career, but he’s done nothing of real merit since Nick. I just think that’s plain unfair. He’s a superior actor, and deserves his shot. Maybe if they make another Terminator, he’ll get the nod. No, we’re not going to play “maybes and ifs” we’re going to make it happen. Nick needs us. He’s been the one constant in our lives since the mid-80’s. And I’m pretty sure he has nothing to do with Al Qeada - although there is no proof of this.

So today I ask you all to phone the casting director for the next Terminator movie (whose name I do not know - I probably should have looked, but I have something important on my windows clipboard, and if I copy/paste their name, I’ll lose the important stuff, so I just didn’t, which is ok, because http://www.imdb.com/ has it I’m sure), and tell them you want Scott Valentine to be your next evil Terminator.

Chant with me: “Nick, nick…he’s our man. If he can’t do it, Yo!”