On the sitcom “Family Ties”, Alex was applying to Princeton and was interviewed by a dean whose last name was Meminger. I’m pretty sure one of the writers was a basketball fan who remembered Dean “The Dream” Meminger, who had starred at Marquette from 1968 to '71 and subsequently played in the NBA.
On an episode of the newspaper-based drama “Lou Grant”, a story line featured a political cartoonist named Diefenbaker, who was obviously based on “Doonesbury” creator Garry Trudeau. John Diefenbaker had been Prime Minister of Canada, a position held at the time of taping by Pierre Trudeau.
On the Australian TV show Kath and Kim, Kel’s arch-nemesis was the beach bum, Sandy Freckle. Not sure if the subtlety is too much for an international audience but freckle is Australian slang for the anus.
The character was played by William McInnis, but he used the pseudonym ‘Rock Hampton’ in the credits. Rockhampton is a town in northern Australia.
There’s an episode of Frasier where Niles is having a cocktail party at his apartment. Two of the male guests are named “Chad” and “Jeremy.” Again, Niles says it so quickly you have to be paying attention to catch it.
For those whose cultural horizons don’t extend to the 1960s, here’s a reference:
In National Lampoons 1964 High School Yearbook, one graduating senior had the name, “Charles Ulmer Farley”. Everyone called him “Chuck”.
Tonight’s patient name: “Albert Ross.”
