publication date: Thursday, February 11, 2021 (part of Winter 2021)

category: Television

clue: It must have been strange for this writer and producer to take over showrunning duties on a comic-book superhero show that had already named a fictional doctor after her.

explanation: Schwartz inspired the name of Dr. Eliza Schwartz on Arrow. more…

intended difficulty: hard

solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, LaVonne Lemler, Samir Mehta, Chris Lemler, and Erik Bates

Sci-Fi Namesakes: Science fiction is a genre of ideas, and the best ideas are the ones connected to reality. This two-week theme presents 14 real-life people who inspired the names of characters in sci-fi TV shows, including shows with fantastical elements not normally considered sci-fi. Dr. Who, I presume?

Similar Goos

Robert Singer

Television science fiction shows as divergent as Timecop, Smallville, V, and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman have this man in common, so eventually the writers of another of his shows about supernatural phenomena decided to honor him by naming a character after him. Go »

Allison Janney

Hollywood typecasts actresses her age with Mom roles, but she's been a spokesperson for the Bartlett White House and a friend to sex researcher William Masters. Go »

John DiMaggio

This actor, voice actor, and comedian is known for his work as Bender from the television show Futurama, Jake the Dog on Adventure Time, and Marcus Fenix in the hit Xbox video game Gears of War. Go »

Caroll Spinney

This cartoonist lived on Sesame Street and played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. It put a big spin on things when he wrote the book The Wisdom of Big Bird. Go »

David Schwimmer

In the opening credits to his sitcom, while his co-stars frolicked around water, he submerged himself, in what could have been a play on his last name. Go »

Syd Barrett

Pink Floyd's original frontman shocked legions of fans when he was fired for the band for schizophrenic illness, a topic that might make for an interesting show set in the world of the X-Men. Go »