Baby Doe Productions: That’s what we’re calling...

Baby Doe Productions: That’s what we’re calling the new creation of moguls David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg--at least until our contest to name it is over. Only in L.A.’s plea to help out the indecisive trio has prompted so many suggestions that we’ve decided to run the finalists over the next several days before notifying Price-Waterhouse of our decision.

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And the nominees are . . . Here’s our first set of finalists in the studio-name search.

* Speffenkatz Studios (Paul Benson)

* United Artless (Albert Cardenas)

* Reel Men (Barbara Joan Grubman)

* Mother of All Studios (Mark Wisbaum, who sent the mother of all entries--it contained 46 suggestions).

* The Billionaire Boys Club (Russell Bernberg). The last group to use this name has folded, as we recall.

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Rough sailing for Columbus: Locals know that the Marina Freeway used to be the Nixon Freeway. But did you know that the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway had been re-christened in Santa Monica? Actually, the name change, photographed by Gary Rosenblatt of Venice, was an anonymous Columbus Day gesture, an annual rite for that sign.

If it’s any comfort to protesters, a Caltrans director’s plan to have Columbus Highway signs stretch across the nation along Interstate 10 came to an abrupt halt years ago when Arizona refused to cooperate.

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Now it can be told: Whimsical Will Simpson, KSCA-FM’s “Demented News” broadcaster, says the mainstream media were wrong in reporting that a jam-up on the Ventura Freeway was caused by movie-prop message signs flashing such warnings as “Gang War Riot Ahead.”

Simpson says it wasn’t until motorists found out that a “Brady Bunch” movie was being taped “that terror and panic ensued.”

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Freeway transition: “The Brady Bunch” tailgates some other movies that have entered freeways, including:

* “Terminator 2,” Terminal Island Freeway (appropriate, don’t you think?). In the original “Terminator,” indestructible Arnold was afraid to leave L.A.’s surface streets.

* “To Live and Die in L.A.,” also the Terminal Island Freeway. A wrong-way chase really fouls up traffic.

* “Lethal Weapon 3,” responsible for a cinematic SigAlert on the Century Freeway.

* “Air America,” Terminal Island Freeway, where a helicopter traffic pilot hovers above a truck driver, who swings a crowbar at him. Over and out!

* “Speed,” a bus chase on the Century Freeway, not to mention a Red Car crash that prophesied the sinking of Hollywood Boulevard.

Wonder if there’s a Ford Bronco freeway chase in the cinematic future?

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Tough bird: From the looks of a Jack-in-the-Box sales receipt, customers who need help after tackling the Chicken Caesar have some backup.

miscelLAny Title of a three-hour, $29 extension course given by the Learning Annex: “Explore Near-Death Experiences.” No thanks.