The Remote Island

"Chuck" Characters Keep Being Named After Ex-Athletes And No One Knows Why

Posted by Jake Kalish


Them TV writers is messing with us...

So some sports dorks noticed that characters on Chuck were being named after obscure ex-athletes like Von Hayes , and wondered if this was some sort of secret code or something, like if you research the career of Guido Merkens you'll find out what happens on the season finale. Turns out it's not that complicated, according to co-exec producer Matthew Miller:

The reality is there is no master plan, but we do have a gentleman's competition to come up with most obscure '80s sports icons whose names can easily be substituted for bad guys. Two of us on the writing staff -- myself and Scott Rosenbaum -- are from Philly so many of the names pay deference to some of the more arcane "legends" of our youth (Guido Merkins, Von Hayes.) In future episodes look for a shout-out to '80s superstar Greg "The Bull" Luzinski and wrestling icon Ivan "Polish Power" [sic] Putsky. Also a studly MI-6 agent named Cole comes into town and sweeps Sarah off her feet (out of respect for Phillies ace Cole Hamels.)

That's it? That's the whole explanation? We think there's more to it. Get back to you after we call Von Hayes and ask him for his life story. 


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About Jake Kalish

Jake Kalish is the author of Santa vs. Satan: The Official Compendium of Imaginary Fights http://www.amazon.com/Santa-vs-Satan-Compendium-Imaginary/dp/0307406709/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208807460&sr=8-1

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    Lindy Parker has worked as a ghostwriter, editor, dance instructor and a purveyor of dreams, one beer at a time. She loves Charles Dickens and Gabriel Garcia Marquez and also, straight-to-video releases with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. It's possible she reads more teen fiction than she should. She hails from Los Angeles, her hometown and soul mate, but she lives in Brooklyn, the fling she'll never forget.

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    Jake Kalish is a freelance journalist and humorist whose work has appeared in Details, Maxim, Stuff, New York Press, Spin, Blender, Men's Fitness, Poets and Writers, and Playboy, among other publications. He is also the author of Santa vs. Satan: The Official Compendium of Imaginary Fights.

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