Word: fischler
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...antique mirrors, numberless pieces of nautical kitsch. It's not only the campy charm, the soulful coffee or the cheap and un-California-ishly cholesterol-rich menu that keeps this dive jumping among the surfer and industry-big-shot set. The real attraction is 72-year-old proprietor Bill Fischler, who lords over his young cook Alfredo and his gorgeous Valkyrian waitress Veronica while he greets and gooses the customers. Part W.C. Fields, part Walter Matthau (plus a bit of the Three Stooges' Curly Howard tossed in), Fischler is a wisecracking curmudgeon with style. And with customers like Fischler...
Unlike most people with a celebrated clientele, Fischler freely offers his opinions of his customers. Asked about the battle over Paramount, he picks Barry Diller (back booth, Sunday mornings) to prevail. "He's a sharp, bright, aggressive barracuda, but he treats everyone here as equals," says Fischler. Pet peeves include stars accompanied by entourages, such as Sylvester Stallone. "He brought three bodyguards with him and insisted that all the nearby tables be kept empty." Even Schwarzenegger, who has his own restaurant in nearby Ocean Park, isn't spared. "Arnold is a good friend," Fischler says with a sigh...
...Fischler is even willing to say that sometime customer Michael Ovitz, chairman of Creative Artists Agency and the most powerful person in show business, is a bit of a stiff. "I can kibitz with everyone except him. He can afford to be independent, I suppose." Judging by his candid razzing of the movie-business elite, Fischler can obviously afford to be independent as well...
...meticulous selection process bore fruit. Most observers agree with Hockey Historian Stan Fischler, who says, "There has never been such talent on a U.S. team as this year. And they are every bit as well coached as in '80. Vairo can match [former Head Coach] Herb Brooks at the blueprint table, and then top him with psychological motivation." Says Ken Morrow, an '80 alumnus who now plays dogged defense for the New York Islanders: "The 1984 team is more talented than we were, in speed, skating skill, stick handling and goal tending...
...Indeed, it was the furthest thing from the minds of just about everyone in the world. Now the 1984 team laces up its skates to see if a children's crusade from America can beat the world's best. The smart money says no. According to Fischler, "Our defense can probably handle the physical part, but when the Russians start their razzle-dazzle checkerboard game, they could psych our young guys out and drive them crazy." Others argue that beyond the Diaper Line, the U.S. team does not have the scoring punch to stay competitive on offense. "Maybe...