AND TAKING CENTER STAGE IS ... NEARLY EVERYBODY.

Byline: Michael Gougis Staff Writer

California has seen its share of political upheavals. And it's seen its share of public spectacles.

But never before have the two met in the explosive combination of celebrity candidacy and bare-knuckle political prizefighting that has turned the state's gubernatorial recall effort into an international phenomenon.

``People from other states have always thought that we're crazy - and this just gives them more evidence of that,'' said Bryce Nelson, professor of journalism at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication.

Even before superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the race, the historic recall campaign had already taken on a circus-like atmosphere.

More than 300 people from all walks of life - from career politicians Elton Gallegly and Tom McClintock to porn star Mary Carey and Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt - had taken out papers to succeed Gov. Gray Davis if he's ousted by voters. The 99 Cents Only store had offered to pay the $3,500 filing fee for any 99-year-old willing to take a shot at the state's top job.

Pundits needed a scorecard to keep track of the gubernatorial wannabes jumping into and out of the race.

``Sadly,'' Sen. Dianne Feinstein said as she ruled out running, California is ``going to be engaged in an election that is becoming more and more like a carnival every day.''

But the frenzy only worsened after Schwarzenegger's surprise announcement, made during a highly anticipated and well-orchestrated appearance on Wednesday's ``The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.''

``I think the whole thing is a circus, an embarrassment for our state,'' said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, who called on Democrats to remain united behind Davis.

In the state that once sent a guy named Ronald Reagan to the governor's mansion despite criticism that he was just a ham actor who co-starred with a chimpanzee, regular voters - even those who aren't Davis fans - furrowed their brows and looked a little embarrassed when asked about the broader implications of the recall.

``The whole state has turned into a something you could only come up with in a sitcom,'' said Kent Lidke of Santa Monica. ``It's just going to be a big, shiny spectacle. All of the glitz and glamour of a big premiere.''

If locals are skeptical about the campaign hype, the folks across the nation take an even dimmer view of the Golden State.

``People around the country don't take California all that seriously anyway,'' said Ron Prichard, a media producer for a computer company in Seattle. ``It's fun to watch if you're from California. The really silly thing is that Arnold won't be the only actor running.''

Still, it's the idea that people around the county are talking about a campaign for an elected post that the majority of California's registered voters didn't even bother casting a ballot for less than an year ago.

It gave the East Coast media the opportunity to skewer one of its favorite targets.

``California is behaving badly, like a disheveled celebrity gone off her meds. Broke and bipolar, babbling incoherently into an invisible phone, toothless and trespassing and asking for help,'' The Washington Post wrote in Wednesday's editions.

Nelson said being the butt of the joke is sort of California's role in the dysfunctional family of states that makes up the nation.

``When you're asking yourself why you're slogging through another blizzard in Buffalo instead of living on the beach and in the sun, well, you've got to find some reason to feel superior to the people living in California. It's a harmless national pastime,'' he said.

But his Annenberg colleague, Associate Dean Martin Kaplan, saw a downside to the carnival-like atmosphere that has marked the recall effort.

``Campaigns are supposed to be conversations and discussions between the people and their elected officials,'' Kaplan said. ``This is going to be covered instead like a celebrity crime. (Rep. Darrell) Issa mugged this state - he spent $2 million buying signatures in parking lots, exploited the low turnout in the last election and turned this state into a tinderbox.''

But some say Schwarzenegger's high profile might help draw Californians to the ballot box, just as they have flocked to the movie box office.

``This sort of circus-like atmosphere might actually get more voters to the polls than have been in last several elections,'' said Trek Kelley, 34, of Venice Beach.

Staff Writers Lisa Friedman, Mariel Garza and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

Michael Gougis, [phone]

michael.gougis(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger fields reporters' questions Thursday on the steps of the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office in Hawthorn after filing as a candidate for governor. He unexpectedly announced his candidacy Wednesday.

(2 -- color) Fans and supporters wait outside the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office for actor Arnold Schwarzenegger to arrive.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer