His Man-of-Century Analysis Was Goofy

On a Bakersfield TV station, Mickie McGowan saw a TV man-on-the-street interview with a customer departing a local bookstore. Asked what he thought of Einstein topping a “Man of the Century” list, the customer said the honor was well-deserved. Asked why, he replied, “He owns Disney.”

Well, it is easy to confuse Disney boss Michael Eisner with Albert Einstein. But I’m not sure Einstein would have gone along with the purchase of the Angels.

*

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY: It was five years ago that Rams owner Georgia Frontiere announced that the Anaheim team with the “Los Angeles” name was moving to St. Louis, of all places.

The move was applauded by a disgruntled group called the National Fan Alliance, which suggested that the Rams make room for another team (see accompanying). Hey, who would have guessed the Rams might one day be a Super Bowl contender? Could it rub off on the Angels? (OK, I’m a dreamer.)

*

THE AFTERMATH: The defection of the Rams as well as the Raiders from this area has, of course, become a running joke. In the 1998 movie, “The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon,” ex-trash man Tony Danza tries to instill pride in his teammates by reminding them, “We’re the Philadelphia Eagles, not the Los Angeles Whoevers.”

And, just the other day, Dan Fink of L.A. spotted a BMW ad that said: “Act like an L.A. football team. Get out of town.”

*

MISPLACED PLACE NAMES: The discussion in this space of Cal State Channel Islands and the University of the Pacific--both of which are actually on the mainland--brought another shocking disclosure. Jay Goldberg of La Palma and L. Tremont of Long Beach pointed out there’s a California University in Pennsylvania.

In the city of California, to be exact. It’s one thing for a city elsewhere to take our sports teams. But to use our state name!

Judging from the school’s Web site (see accompanying), it’s bidding for a mention on a TV quiz show.

*

OLDIE BUT GOODIE: The first TV quiz show craze--in the 1950s--inspired a memorable episode on “The Honeymooners,” a comedy series of the time.

Bus driver Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) becomes obsessed with making a fortune on a name-that-tune-type program. He enlists the help of his piano-playing neighbor, sewer worker Ed Norton (Art Carney), and they work night after night.

Not only is it hard work, but Norton has the annoying habit of banging out several notes of “Swanee River” to warm up, frequently causing Kramden to lose his temper.

Kramden qualifies for the show and appears supremely confident when he goes on the air. Alas, he flunks out on the first question because he is unable to identify the name of a hauntingly familiar tune: “Swanee River.”

miscelLAny:

Lee Harris of Burbank sent along an ad that makes me wonder if Owosso, Mich., is trying to become the entertainment capital of the nation (see accompanying). Notice that the museum way down upon North Water Street offers “satisfied inner happiness,” which I felt when the Raiders left here.