publication date: Friday, February 5, 2021 (part of Winter 2021)

category: Television

clue: 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.

explanation: Singer inspired the name of Bobby Singer on Supernatural, one of the many shows that he has had a hand in producing, directing, or writing. more…

intended difficulty: hard

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

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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Beth Schwartz

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Allison Janney

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John DiMaggio

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Caroll Spinney

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David Schwimmer

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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 »