Ron,
No it isn't. Fresno is a horrible place. Fresno has always been the butt of jokes from the entertainment industry.
Consider this,
Watch episodes of CSI, Rockford files, etc. I think there was a comment in the old Dukes of Hazard even; Even Carol Burnett made a miserable TV movie called Fresno.
ESPN and the BCS (not this year, but others)(I should say many outcast schools suffer this one)
The general opinion of anyone from CA (bay area and so-cal, as there is no one else on this planet except them How many times have 'they' asked me - "why do you live there?")
The political forces of fairness (there is hardly a political decision which benefits the Central Valley compensatory to the benefit of the populous) water rights, air standards, my favorite was the insurance industry, when the other areas found out we paid lower insurance rates they passed a bill which 'equalized' the rates - what happened? our rates increased to match those of higher rates areas. The quintessential example.
Seriously, if the central valley had their choice (based on voting results), people like Feinstein, Boxer, Chief Justice Rose Bird, Gray Davis, Clinton, etc. would have never happened.
The armpit of California is just that, so please, everyone, pack your bags, your big town ideals, your driving habits, and leave, and quit telling your friends about this place so no one else will come.
This is just one more punch of jealousness, bring it. As there is always truth behind every joke.