Posted by Duke_of_Fluke at 194.129.43.14 on February 20, 2000 at 20:26:15:
OK, here's a weird one for yas. Sunday night and there's fuck all on UK TV except Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Oh, woo hoo. Still, it's better than the antiques, archaeologists and monkeys on the other channels, so I watch. It's it's usual mix of slapstick, leather and wooshing noises, only tonight's show is "Guest Starring Kevin Smith". What the -?
So, OK, obviously it's not THE Kevin Smith, it turns out it's some muscle-freak who turns up to play Ares every now and then, in both the Herc and Xena shows. So morning glory, what's the story on names?
Example: Michael Keaton's real name is Michael Douglas. He had to change it to Keaton because Michael Douglas (strangely) already "owned" the name. I don't know how it works, I think it's something to do with copyright, unions, yadda yadda. It's more clear cut when it comes to band names (The Chemical Brothers used to be called The Dust Brothers, until the real Dust Brothers spoke to their lawyers - kinda like the whole Ghostbusters thing), but I thought there was a thing with REAL names - ie, no one is supposed to share a name if they're on TV or in movies. Or was it a one off, that Michael Keaton (quite rightly in my view) wanted his name to have nothing to do with that saggy-arsed cardigan-wearer.
Obviously, I can't see Kevin giving too much of a shit if there's some other guy on TV with his name, but what about agents and companies? Presumably that's the sort of shit they're paid to care about.
Anyone care to explain themselves?