publication date: Saturday, February 6, 2021 (part of Winter 2021)

category: Art

clue: As beloved by children as it was, a cartoon about anthropomorphic turtles who practice ninjitsu in sewers was not exactly timeless art on par with, say, the statue of David or the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

explanation: Michelangelo inspired the name of Michelangelo on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. more…

intended difficulty: very easy

solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, LaVonne Lemler, Samir Mehta, Chris Lemler, Richard Slominsky, Denise Sawicki, Erik Bates, Ruth Cichoski, and Alexis Andino

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?

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Patrick Nagel

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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 »

John Locke

This English philosopher is known for developing the theory of empiricism and connecting consciousness to the notion of self, not for getting lost on a mysterious tropical island with his wheelchair after a plane crash. Go »

John F. Kennedy

His assassination in November 1963 birthed many conspiracy theories about lone gunmen, and one lone gunman was literally birthed on the same day. Go »

Art Bell

This paranormal investigator spent years shining a light into the blackest shadows of supernatural mysteries on his bicoastal AM show, which would have made him the right man to look into a case of identical cloned orphans. Go »

Harry S. Truman

Being the president of the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s was a far more important elected office to hold than, say, being sheriff of a very strange valley town in Washington state roiled by a teenager's murder. Go »