Who they were Vol. 1 of 5: Christina Romer, Ben Bernanke, Larry Summers, Steve Liesman

Christina “Aunt Bee” Romer shares with her best friend Clara that she quietly took night classes during the 8 seasons of The Andy Griffith Show and would soon graduate from The College of William and Mary (Mayberry Campus). Aunt “Romer” Bee noted that losing the jarred pickles competition to Clara for 12 years and her desire to marry were the motivating factors in pursuing higher education. Clara’s relationship waned as Aunt “Romer” Bee completed her Ph. D. at M.I.T. Aunt Bee finally married and is Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors. Clara never married however she ran Vlasic Pickles until its sale to Campbell Soup Company.

Ben “Wooster” Bernanke started his career on the hit television series Wagon Train. He was no good at anything else so while in the Army, he became a cook. “Wooster” was smitten with each week’s celebrity line-up and vowed that one day he too would surround himself with powerful people that made serious money. During his days with Wagon Train, he made sure that each traveler was “bailed out” of any ordeal encountered along the trail and “Wooster Bernanke” proved to be an excellent scout as he could spot a “green shoot” in the midst of a dust storm. He pursued his academic dream and attended Harvard where he bunked with Lloyd “Uncle Fester” Blankfein and after securing his Ph. D. at MIT, became Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Larry "Spanky" Summers treasured his lead role in The Little Rascals. "Spanky" Summers, the bright youngster opted to leave the show after 7 years and at age 16, enrolled in MIT. Spanky is now Director of the White House's National Economic Council. "Spanky" and "Aunt Bee" Romer meet daily.

Steve "Big Mooseketeer" Liesman (a.k.a. Big Moose) was destined to be in front of the camera and his relationship with Walt Disney assured him a spot in the Mickey Mouse Club. Rumor has it that “Big Mooseketeer” Liesman liked the pretty girls and had a crush on Annette Funicello. Given the age and size difference, viewers started describing the show as a bit creepy. Given the drop in ratings, “Big Moose” Liesman was sent to Russia and became the business editor of the Moscow Times. After 6 years in Russia, “Big Moose” headed back to the states and landed in New York. In 2002, after hearing rumors that CNBC was hiring "dolled up" ex-Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers, “Big Moose” Liesman went back to his roots and is their Senior Economics Reporter.