As I was following detailed reports of a meeting of European leaders in Ukraine last week, the name of one of the participants — Germany’s new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz — seemed to strike a familiar note, though I didn’t recognize his face from the news photos.

I kept staring at this distinguished-looking gentleman, but . . . nothing registered.

And then it hit me. The person whose name I was recalling was the original “Fred Mertz” — a fictitious character of somewhat less distinction from the smash hit comedy series of the 1950s: “I Love Lucy.”

He played the part of Lucy and Desi Ricardo’s landlord, neighbor and good friend . . . an amiable, if sometimes slightly grumpy, guy who was a whiz at repairing the plumbing, but had no political acumen whatsoever. Certainly no one who would ever be mistaken for the head of any government.

Frankly, I never cared for the show . . . even in those more innocent days of the ‘50s, I found it silly and a little too slapstick. But for some inexplicable reason — though I’m unlikely to remember the name of someone I just met, or what I had for breakfast a couple of hours ago — the names of the characters have stuck in my mind. That seems to be just one of the many idiosyncrasies we develop and learn to live with as we grow older.

Anyway, as Shakespeare famously asked, “What’s in a name?” Apparently, the answer is: “Not much.” Any similarity between Friedrich Merz and “Fred Mertz” is, of course, purely imaginary.

And I’ll bet I’m the only person who would even think to connect the two. Which does say something about the circuitous workings of my mind.

I’m just not sure what . . . nor do I really want to know.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/13/25