You can't call me Al
Musing on the passing of William Hurt, who received four Oscar nominations during his career: the only one of those films that I've seen is Broadcast News. It's definitely okay, and I didn't regret too much the time that I spent watching it. I never need see it again though.
But it got me wondering why Albert Brooks, while successful, isn't a Hollyweird megastar. And I think it's the name. Albert is just too nerdy to be cool. He should've shortened it to Al.
Al is friendly and approachable. But he's also dependable. Al's got your back in a fight, or in times of crisis. Al's a pal, best bud, always there for you.
Al's popular with the ladies too. All the girls want to ride in the back seat with Al.
The one thing that Al isn't, though, is an intellectual colossus. And that's probably why Albert Brooks isn't Al Brooks.