# "Office Space Michael Bolton" Syndrome: Feel free to share stories **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 9, 2004, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989 "2004-08-09T05:02:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/41 "2004-08-11T05:44:42Z")
> [@JohnM](#): > > My first/middle names are “John Wayne”. And yes, I do usually avoid mentioning the middle name when at all possible. Getting late…can’t scroll up, you’re not the guy who shares the name with the famous criminal, are you? ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/42 "2004-08-11T05:55:05Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > My daughter went to elementary school with a Courtney Cox. She’s only 16, and I think the famous one’s been famous for at least 16 years. > > This year, I’ll have a Rachel Green in my class (Jennifer Aniston’s character on _Friends_). I teach four-year-olds. > I had a Michael Fox in my class a few years ago (middle inital wasn’t an ‘J’, though). I guess he’d be eight now. > I can’t imagine saddling my kid with something like that, even if the person is likeable or if it’s a family name. Just too troublesome. Rachel Green is also the name of the daughter of the lately departed (well, 2 seasons ago) Dr Green from ER. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/43 "2004-08-11T06:22:40Z")
There is a lab in our department whose primary investigator is Randy Johnson. No, he is not a Big Unit. And there is a physical medicine and rehab doctor in one of our affiliated hospitals named Dr. Kevorkian. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/44 "2004-08-11T06:37:23Z")
Dr. Kevorkian must get some interesting reactions out of patients. The only one I’ve got is that the James Marsden with whom I went to school is not the one who’s in _X-Men_. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/45 "2004-08-11T06:56:19Z")
A guy in the same grade as me in high school was named David Bowie. The poor guy was unfortunate enough to have an epileptic fit during an exam, leading to plenty of jokes about seeing David Bowie perform live. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/46 "2004-08-11T19:30:18Z")
It’s been a while, so I hadn’t even thought I had a good story for this… As it turns out, my _own_ name caused a similar phenomenon, it’s just been a while since it’s happened. See, I go by my initials… “J.R.” - as a child, I was subjected to a barrage of “Dallas” references. Most often, “Hey, who shot J.R.?” Ugh. Fortunately, the series’ popularity has waned, and I don’t hear it much these days. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2004, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/47 "2004-08-16T23:54:13Z")
I used to know a girl named Brandy. It was doubly bad for her, because before there was a singer by that name, first she had to endure all the people saying or singing “You’re a fine girl!” Mr. Rilch has the same name as a notable cinematographer. He uses his middle initial whenever possible, to distinguish himself. Our last name is also that of a company that sells and rents movie lighting equipment, who are not related to the DP. When we first arrived in LA, we got a few phone calls for the established Mr.Rilch, including an invitation to an Industry party. (No, Mr. Rilch didn’t think he could get away with it.) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/48 "2004-08-17T01:43:00Z")
You’d have to be middle-aged and a football fan to remember this one, but a friend of mine in high school (I graduated in 1972) was a star on the football team. His name was Terry Metcalf. A few years later, the St. Louis Cardinals had a dazzling tailback named Terry Metcalf. Same sport, but not the same guy. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/49 "2004-08-17T01:55:22Z")
I met a co-worker a couple of years back named Robert Heinlein. He’s in his early twenties so his parents should have known better. After resisting the temptation for a few weeks, I finally broke down and asked “Are you related?” He answered “To who?” I still haven’t figured out if he was a master of stone faced irony or the dullest knife in the drawer. ---
**Author:** ![St\_Ides](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@St\_Ides](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St_Ides)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/50 "2004-08-17T02:57:47Z")
Mine’s not too bad, more of an annoyance than truly frustrating. My middle names are John and Claude (My grandfather’s names). Therefore, every time I say my middle names I get called ‘Jean-Claude Van Damme’… Though not so much anymore, now that that no-talent clown has fallen out of the spotlight. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/51 "2004-08-17T03:17:05Z")
> [@St\_Ides](#): > > My middle names are John and Claude (My grandfather’s names). Therefore, every time I say my middle names I get called ‘Jean-Claude Van Damme’… Though not so much anymore, now that that no-talent clown has fallen out of the spotlight. No one remembers Jean-Claude Killy? ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/52 "2004-08-17T03:21:01Z")
I went to school with Twyla Tharp. We were in High School between Ragtime and Amadeus, so she was already an established choreographer and certainly not a young lady in High School. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/53 "2004-08-17T03:24:46Z")
In my high school, Bronx Science, it was mostly Jewish boys until the 60’s. In 1949, a guy named David Berkowitz was the valedictorian, an accomplishment immortalized in a plaque in the foyer. Who was [David Berkowitz?](http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/notorious/berkowitz/letter_1.html) I started HS in 1978, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/54 "2004-08-17T12:48:03Z")
I attended a management seminar a few years ago. At the start of the class, we were paired up randomly, asked to spend a couple of minutes interviewing our partners, and then in a twist on the usual go-around-the-room-and-introduce-yourself bit, we went around the room and each person introduced his or her new partner. The pair before me got a good reaction, and must have been sympathetic to each other’s plight: she introduced her partner, **Johnny Mathis** , and gave a bit of background on the guy, and then it was his turn to introduce **Nancy Wilson**. What are the odds? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/55 "2004-08-17T15:44:28Z")
I once bought a car from **Fred Zepplin**. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/56 "2004-08-17T16:09:57Z")
My name is the same as one of Bill Clinton’s lesser indescretions. I used to consider changing it, as I hope one day to be famous in my own right, but now it seems like less people remember it. I still dread every new roll call in class, application form and job interview though. Sometimes people say they recognize it but can’t place it. Others say “oh, what a pretty name” (it really is) leading me to wonder if they are joking or not. ---
**Author:** ![lightingtool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/57b2e6/32.png) [@lightingtool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lightingtool)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/57 "2004-08-17T16:14:53Z")
I worked for a while with a Tom Jones, who was born at least 10 years after “It’s Not Unusual” came out. Poor guy. I’ve also worked with a guy named Steven (not Steve) Young. No relation to the football star. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/58 "2004-08-17T16:19:35Z")
I once knew a fellah by the name of Anthony Stewart. Strangely enough, he claimed to be from a town near Watkins Glen, NY. That’s all I got though. . . :rolleyes: Tripler Danny Aiello had a house in my hometown. Yeah, the _real_ Danny Aiello. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Stilettos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Red\_Stilettos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Stilettos)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/59 "2004-08-17T16:33:57Z")
> [@alimarx](#): > > I worked with a Ronald McDonald. He was black. No, it wasn’t flippin’ burgers. :eek: that’s just wrong. Even without the clown connection. People, please, dont’ give your kids rhyming names! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![TurdFerguson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@TurdFerguson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TurdFerguson)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2004, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989/60 "2004-08-17T16:37:47Z")
These aren’t exactly the same … A college buddy has a brother named Eric Hartman (say it out loud and think of a Comedy Central show) There was a Randy McNally who worked at my old company. An Andy Griffin lived in my dorm. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-space-michael-bolton-syndrome-feel-free-to-share-stories/258989.md?page=4)