A Neck and Neck Race

Lost in the attention Jerry Brown got last week for his Lazarus-like comeback in the Democratic presidential race is another comeback Brown is helping lead: the return of the turtleneck sweater business.

The former California governor is blazing the campaign trail in his turtlenecks (obviously disregarding fellow candidate Bill Clinton’s advice to “chill out”).

One local radio personality dubbed it the Ilya Kuryakin-look, after the turtleneck-wearing secret agent in the 1960s television series “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”

As always, Brown is on the cutting edge. Famed Rodeo Drive retailer Fred Hayman confirms that turtleneck sales are the strongest they have been since the late 1960s, although he says he isn’t sure why.

Hayman is certain, however, he can discount Brown as the reason.

“Jerry is not a fashion plate,” Hayman said. “Guys want to do something different. It’s not because of Jerry Brown.”

The Masters of Hype

Call it the agony and the ecstasy.

Agony for computer users made nervous by the endless hype last week over the computer virus Michelangelo. Ecstasy for makers of anti-virus software, who readily fanned the flames to promote their products.

Despite some problems experienced by computer users, the Michelangelo virus has become something like the industry’s comet Kohoutek, failing to live up to the unprecedented hype in the days leading up to Friday.

That was the birthday of the 16th century painter and sculptor, as well as the date that triggered the data-killing program.

It’s worth noting that the name of one North Carolina software firm touting an anti-virus program suggests the whole thing may be some sort of Renaissance conspiracy.

The firm’s name: Da Vinci Systems.

Bad He’s Not

An ad in Daily Variety last week listed a 4,659-acre spread in the Santa Ynez area near Santa Barbara being offered by a French tycoon for $22 million.

To help push the sale, the ad mentions a batch of celebrity neighbors: actress Bo Derek, former television star Fess Parker, producer Ray Stark and former President Reagan.

Conspicuously missing is the name of another famous neighbor: entertainer Michael Jackson.

Could it be prospective buyers might fear for their cars, given Jackson’s auto-smashing fit in his new “Black or White” video?

Beverly Hills real estate agent Mike Silverman, who is selling the ranch, says any buyer has nothing to fear from Jackson.

“He’s an excellent neighbor.”

Briefly . . .

A Carmel company wants to provide an American-style carnival for Russians in St. Petersburg in May . . . Where the $20 bills are: The Plus System network of automated tellers expects transactions to rise 30% this month due to increased use by college students on spring break . . . No tall tale: A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis says U.S. catfish production increased sixty-fold from 1970 to 1990.