FAMILIAR FACES MAKE THEIR PICKS.(Sports) - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

It's time again for that annual gridiron spectacle - no, not the Super Bowl, but the Scripps Howard Celebrity Super Bowl Poll. Personalities from the worlds of entertainment, politics, and sports make their picks for Sunday's game between the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR, legendary actress: I'm for the Rams because I once had a boyfriend who played for the Rams, Glenn Davis, one of the greats who was an All-American when he played at West Point.

FAITH HILL, country singer, will sing National Anthem at Super Bowl, has been at all three of the Titans playoffs games and picked Tennessee to win each time. She also sang the national anthem at the first Titans' preseason game this year: Tennessee, 34-27.

STAN MUSIAL, legendary St. Louis Cardinals Hall-of-Famer: I'm picking the Rams. I've gone to several of the games. It's my hometown team.

BOB COSTAS, sportscaster who lives in St. Louis: Rams by a field goal in a high-scoring game.

SEN. JOHN McCAIN, R-Ariz., presidential candidate: St. Louis, because it's been a great comeback story for Dick Vermeil and all those other schmaltzy reasons. I'm an eternal optimist and maybe the Arizona Cardinals will do it sometime this century.

BILL BRADLEY, Democratic presidential candidate who grew up 30 miles from St. Louis: When asked for a prediction, he looked at the reporter and walked away.

GREGORY PECK, screen legend: I believe the Rams will take it. Once I lived in St. Louis, and in spite of the fact that Georgia Frontiere took the Rams away from L.A., I guess I'll go for them out of some maybe misplaced loyalty to a town.

SAMMY BAUGH, NFL legend: The Titans because I used to coach for the Houston Oilers.

JOHN ELWAY, NFL legend: I'm an AFC guy. Go Tennessee.

MICHAEL JORDAN, NBA legend: Whoever scores first will win.

JOHN WOODEN, legendary UCLA basketball coach: You know if I ever thought a game was a tossup, this is it. Because of my acquaintance and friendship with Dick Vermeil, I'm pulling for the Rams. But I'm worried. I'm afraid it's going to be the Titans. Both teams defensively are very strong, but I don't think it will be 11-6.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, III, son of the slain civil rights leader and president of the Atlanta-based Southern Christian Leadership Conference: I would like to see Tennessee win because I'm fond of (Steve) McNair. I was hoping to see the Falcons. I was hoping they would break history: No team that has ever hosted the Super Bowl has ever been in it.

SEN. FRED THOMPSON, R-Tenn.: I was embarrassed that I only picked the Titans to beat the Jaguars by 3. This time I'm predicting a 24-17 Titans win. And I need a ticket.

HALEY JOEL OSMENT, child actor, ``The Sixth Sense'': The Rams. They've shown through excellent play execution on both sides of the ball that they have what it takes to win. The stats also affect my choice. The Rams have the lowest penalty average, and all their players' stats are top notch. The Titans just can't cut it against a team like that. Sorry, Nashville, maybe next year. Rams by 14.

GENIE EASY, astrologer with Astronet.com: We're pretty much going with Tennessee. We believe they will be more much emotionally empowered, especially Steve McNair. We believe it will go into overtime. Tennessee and McNair are astrologically in better position to make the adjustments because of the sun connecting with Uranus.

GEORGE TENET, CIA Director: Tennessee Titans. The reason for the pick and the point spread are secret.

PETER KRAUSE, actor, Casey on ``Sports Night'': I'm pulling for the Titans. I like the underdog.

DAN REEVES, Atlanta Falcons coach: St. Louis 20, Tennessee 17. The Rams have too much speed, and you can't scheme against speed.

DAN ISSEL, Denver Nuggets coach: `I'd like to see the Rams win, only because I can't imagine how much (coach) Dick Vermeil will cry if he wins the whole thing. I like that kind of stuff.

MERV GRIFFIN, entertainer/producer: Does this mean if the Rams win, they'll come back to L.A.? Tennessee by a touchdown.

GOLDBERG, WCW pro wrestling superstar and former NFL player: Rams.

CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW, WNBA star: Tennessee all the way! Jevon Kearse is a great defensive player and I like Eddie George, they're my two favorite football players. I'm a big fan of Jevon Kearse, I think he's going to be great, he's going to be the next Lawrence Taylor. And Eddie George is just a good running back. I think Tennessee, once Steve McNair came back and started getting back into the flow, they started getting better.

DICK SCHULTZ, executive director, U.S. Olympic Committee: Even though I will be pulling for Dick Vermeil and the Rams for their great comeback this year, I am going to pick the Titans. They are obviously a team of destiny and they are really playing very well right now. I think they have better balance. However I think this has the potential of being one of the better Super Bowl games.

DICK SCHAAP, sportscaster and author: I love the fact that a quarterback from Northern Iowa (the Rams' Warner) is going head-to-head with a quarterback from Alcorn State (McNair). But I go with Northern Iowa.

JOE FRAZIER, former heavyweight boxing champ: I love the Rams because they are a small piece of leather well put together. Dick Vermeil remembered my career very well when he came to play Philadelphia and said I was an inspiration to him. I'll remember that and root for him.

BOB DENVER, actor, Gilligan on ``Gilligan's Island'': I don't know. I watched both playoffs. I thought the Rams were going to run over (Tampa Bay), but they just barely made it. The announcers, I love when they have to eat crow. I'll probably go with St. Louis. I think Vermeil has just probably got them wired, I think since he brought them from nowhere.

AL LEWIS, actor/politician, Grandpa Munster on ``the Munsters'': The Winner: St. Louis. Coach of the Year: Dick Vermeil. No question about it.

AL FRANKEN, author/performer: Boy, I don't know. I'm a Vikings fan. I guess I'll go with the Rams, the team that beat my team. That way it makes us look less bad. Think how bad Miami is.

ROBERT STACK, actor: The Rams, 21-0. We're neighbors of Georgia Frontiere.

DONNA SHALAHA, secretary of Health and Human Services: She demurs that she hasn't followed the Titans and Rams closely enough this season to make a Super Bowl call, but forecasts ``the Cleveland Browns will take it next year.''

3 top list of likely No. 1 picks.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

Byline: DENNIS WASZAK JR.

By Dennis Waszak Jr.

The Associated Press

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays know exactly who they want to select with the No. 1 pick in the baseball draft.

Their top choice is Vanderbilt lefthander David Price. And Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters. And California high school third baseman Josh Vitters.

'I wish we had the first three picks in the draft,' Devil Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison said. 'I'd like to have all three of these guys.'

And so would every other major league team. All three are considered can't-miss prospects in a draft filled with outstanding talent.

'I think it's deep,' said Kansas City scouting director Deric Ladnier, whose team selects second today. 'There are probably more high school players as a pool, quality high school players, than there are college players.'

Baseball fans will be able to watch the first round of the draft on television for the first time . The opening round will be broadcast on ESPN2 from the event's site at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., and the network will provide analysis of other picks from subsequent rounds. In previous years, the draft was held exclusively by conference call.

Tampa Bay will pick No. 1 for the third time , and first since selecting outfielder Delmon Young in 2003.

'The biggest thing for us is we're going to take who we believe to be the best player in the country,' said Andrew Friedman, the Devil Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations. 'From that, we're going to try to sign him and get him into our system and get our player development folks on the same page and try to accomplish the things that we want them to accomplish.'

The Royals will pick after the Devil Rays, marking the third straight year they've had one of the first two selections.

'We're just looking at the best player,' said Ladnier, echoing Tampa Bay's strategy. 'We just want to take the best player we feel like is the best fit, the best talent, and go from there.'

The Chicago Cubs pick third, followed by Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington, Milwaukee, Colorado, Arizona and San Francisco to round out the first 10.

Price has made scouts drool since his freshman year at Vanderbilt and he was the best pitcher in the nation this season as a junior. Many believe Tampa Bay will take the dominant 6-foot-5, 215-pound lefty with the first pick, and the Devil Rays certainly sound as though they'd like to have him in their rotation.

'We just think that he has everything we're looking for in a front-line major league starter,' Harrison said. 'He's big, he's strong, he's athletic, he's lefthanded. He has two-plus pitches and we believe that the changeup is not far behind.'

Others who could go in the first 30 picks include: Missouri State's Ross Detwiler, Clemson's Daniel Moskos, Rice's Joe Savery and Arkansas' Nick Schmidt.

If the Devil Rays opt for a position player, Wieters might be their guy. The 6-foot-5 switch-hitting catcher is considered an outstanding defender with a strong, accurate arm.

Vitters also excites teams with his compact, powerful swing. He hit .360 with nine HRs and 29 RBIs for Cypress High School - despite missing two weeks with pneumonia.

Other players who could go early: New Jersey high school righthander Rick Porcello, Lewis-Clark State third baseman Beau Mills, California high school infielder Mike Moustakas, Canadian righty Phillippe Aumont and North Carolina State righthander Andrew Brackman.

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Christmas Sport: Mark Dye picks the highlights on TV.(Features) - The Mirror (London, England)

Byline: Mark Dye

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Indianapolis Colts v New York Jets Sunday, C5, 1.20am. Grid Iron action presented by Mark Webster.

CRICKET

India v England Saturday and Sunday, Sky Sports 2, 6am. Third Test from Bangalore.

World Cricket Centre Saturday, Sky Sports 2, 4pm and 10pm. Highlights of the day's play between India and England.

World Cricket Centre Sunday, Sky Sports 3, 3pm and 7pm. The final day's action between India and England.

Australia v South Africa Christmas Day to Friday, Sky Sports Extra, 12am. Coverage of the second test between Australia and South Africa.

World Cricket Centre Boxing Day, Sky Sports Extra, 3pm. Highlights of the first day between Australia and South Africa.

World Cricket Centre Thursday, Sky Sports Extra, 10am and 7pm. All the action from the Second Test between Australia and South Africa.

World Cricket Centre Friday, Sky Sports Extra, 3pm and 7pm. Highlights of Australia v South Africa.

FOOTBALL

Soccer AM Saturday, Sky Sports 1, 9am. Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain present the show for early rising football fans.

Gazzetta Football Italia Saturday, C4, 10am. James Richardson looks back at two rounds of Serie A action, including Fiorentina's clash with Juventus.

Derby County v Aston Villa Saturday, ITV Select, 11.30am. Coverage of this Midlands clash from Pride Park.

Gillette Soccer Saturday Saturday, Sky Sports 1, noon. Jeff Stelling and studio guests analyse the football action as it happens.

Football Focus Saturday, BBC1, noon. Ray Stubbs looks ahead to a mouthwateringly busy Christmas football programme.

On The Ball Saturday, ITV1, 12.30pm. Gabby Logan with the weekly round- up.

The Goal Rush Saturday, ITV1, 4.20pm. Soccer round-up.

Aberdeen v Celtic Saturday, Sky Sports 1, 5.30pm. Celtic visit Pittodrie to try and extend their runaway lead at the top of the SPL.

Spanish Football Saturday, Sky Sports 1, 8pm. Live action from La Primera Liga.

The Premiership Saturday, ITV1, 10.30pm (repeated Sunday at 9.25am). All the day's goals and action, with Des Lynam.

Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers Sunday, ITV Select, 1.30pm. Premiership newcomers Bolton travel to big-spending Chelsea. Live.

Liverpool v Arsenal Sunday, Sky Sports 1, 3pm. See Pick Of The Week.

Coventry City v Bradford City Sunday, ITV Sport, 6pm. Live First Division action from Highfield Road.

Spanish Football Sunday, Sky Sports 1, 6.30pm. Live action from La Primera Liga.

Soccer AM Xmas Special Christmas Eve, Sky Sports 1, 8.30am. Presented by Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain.

Football Special: Sven's England Christmas Eve, Sky Sports 1, 11am. A look back at how Sven Goran Eriksson has transformed the fortunes of the England team, securing qualification for next year's World Cup finals.

Arsenal v Chelsea Boxing Day, Sky Sports 1, 11am. Passionate London derby, live from Highbury.

Everton v Manchester United Boxing Day, ITV Select, 2.30pm. United go in search of three much-needed points at Goodison Park.

Gillette Soccer Special Boxing Day, Sky Sports 1, 2.30pm. Keep track of the action as it happens with Jeff Stelling and guests.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Preston North End Boxing Day, ITV Sport, 5pm. Coverage of the crucial Division One match at Molineux.

Hibernian v Rangers Boxing Day, Sky Sports 1, 5.30pm. Rangers will need three points here if they are to maintain a challenge for the title. Live.

The Premiership Boxing Day, ITV1, 10.30pm. Des Lynam presents all the Premiership action.

GOLF

Times Morgan Fleming Golf Challenge Saturday, Sky Sports 3, 12.30pm. The final from La Manga.

HORSE RACING

The Morning Line Saturday, C4, 9am. Racing news and turf tips and a look ahead at the day's action.

Racing From Ascot Saturday, BBC1, 1.20pm. Presented by Clare Balding.

Racing From Warwick And Uttoxeter Saturday, C4, 2pm. Live races presented by Derek Thompson and Mike Cattermole.

Racing From Kempton Park And Wetherby Boxing Day, C4, 12.30pm. Alastair Down presents the traditional Boxing Day spectacular, the Pertemps King George VI Chase.

Racing From Kempton Park And Wembley Thursday, C4, 1pm. A five-race card hosted by Alastair Down.

RUGBY UNION

Harlequins v Leicester Saturday, Sky Sports 2, 1.30pm. Live action from the Zurich Premiership.

Bath v Bristol Saturday, Sky Sports 3, 1.30pm. Live action from the Recreation Ground as these local rivals fight for the play-offs.

PICK OF THE WEEK

LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL Sunday, Sky Sports 1, 3pm.

TODAY'S PICKS.(SPORTS) - Albany Times Union (Albany, NY)

TIM FARKAS Sports editor (2-0, 156-108-1) The Raiders have experience and star power: league MVP Rich Gannon, the greatest receiver of all time in Jerry Rice, his not-too-shabby sidekick Tim Brown, and Super Bowl savvy linebacker Bill Romanowski. The Bucs have the NFL's best coach (Jon Gruden), a clutch fullback (Mike Alstott), and a loudmouth-but-talented defensive lineman (Warren Sapp). But experience and the Raiders' mystique will be the difference. Pick: Raiders STEVE CAMPBELL Columnist (1-1, 175-89-1) Cover your eyes, America. Raiders will cover the spread, sending the silver and black, the toothless and tattooed, into celebration. Don't believe all the things you've been hearing about parity in the NFL. The best teams in the NFC are no match for the best in the AFC. The Raiders are the best in the AFC, which makes them the best anywhere. Pick: Raiders PETE DOUGHERTY Columnist (1-1, 151-113-1) This has the feel of the Super Bowl from two years ago, when a one-dimensional Ravens team smashed the Giants. The Raiders appear to be the better team, but the Buccaneers are good where it counts -- on defense. Pick: Buccaneers LISA STEVENS Copy editor (1-1, 170-94-1) How to choose between the league's No. 1 offense (and MVP Rich Gannon) in Oakland and the No. 1 defense (and defensive MVP Derrick Brooks) in Tampa Bay? The Bucs have loads of ex-Giants -- a good thing in my True Blue mind. The Raiders have loads of experience -- a better thing. So, Gannon, Rice, Brown, Woodson, Romo ... Pick: Raiders DOUG SHERMAN WRGB, Ch. 6 (1-1, 162-102-1) The Raiders will win this year's Super Bowl. I think Tampa Bay has already achieved its goal. Where the Raiders, with their veteran cast of characters and future Hall of Famers, are primed to win it all. Plus, Oakland was the team I rooted for as a kid. How can I go against that? Pick: Raiders DAN MURPHY WTEN, Ch. 10 (1-1, 160-104-1) We had a disappointing season (being unable to defend last year's co-championship), but we'll finish with a bang. The Eagles made the Bucs look dominant last week. They aren't. Oakland is bigger and badder on both lines and has more than enough weapons to shred the Tampa ``D.'' The ``real'' Brad Johnson will stand up and get knocked down. MVP: Charlie Garner. Pick: Raiders RODGER WYLAND WNYT, Ch. 13 (1-1, 165-99-1) Tampa Bay's defense is clearly the best in the league, and in this game defense will beat the best offense. The Bucs will control the Raiders offense. Count on a low-scoring game. Pick: Buccaneers RICH BECKER WXXA, Ch. 23 (2-0, 157-107-1) After poring over stats comparing the interception-hungry Bucs' defense against the Raiders' passing game, the power attack of the Bucs vs. the Raiders' front four, and many other strategic areas usually reserved for NFL Films, I said the heck with it, scooped a bowl of ice cream and flipped a coin. Pick: Buccaneers

Speak Up! Bailey, Mobley, Wilson among best No. 1 picks.(Sports) - Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)

Byline: Sam Adams, Rocky Mountain News

Yahoo Sports released a list of 'Best No. 1 Picks All-Time' in the NFL. Charles Robinson presented a list of the top first-round picks, from one to 32, since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, who was picked No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Colts in 1983, was selected as the best No. 1 pick overall. Fellow Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor (1981) and Barry Sanders (1989) were picked as the best No. 2 and No. 3 overall selections. Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey was selected as the best seventh pick overall (1999 by the Washington Redskins).

Former Broncos linebacker Al Wilson made the list as the best pick at No. 31. Receiver Jerry Rice, who announced his retirement as a member of the Broncos in 2005, is the best pick at No. 16.

Former Broncos linebacker John Mobley was tabbed the best pick at No. 15. No disrespect, but Mobley wasn't the best 15th pick overall in Broncos history - how about Dennis Smith at No. 15 in 1981? Smith went to six Pro Bowls and played in three Super Bowls during his 14-year career. Mobley played on the Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl winning teams but never was elected to a Pro Bowl. . . .

Former Major League Baseball player/manager Dusty Baker is the celebrity guest for Volunteer of America's benefit Legends Golf Tournament, Aug. 9 at Sanctuary Golf Course. Call Denise Robert (pronounced Ro-bear) at 303-368-5208 for registration information . . . . Former Denver-area hoopsters-turned-comedians Jon Laster (Denver East High and Colorado State) and Shedrick Garrett (Montbello High and Northern Colorado) will be on stage for a night of laughs at the Holiday Inn-DIA on Saturday (15500 E. 40th Ave.). Call 303-918-0915 or 303-503-9408 for more information. . . . If the Rockies played with a 'we don't want to get swept' mentality every game - see Wednesday's 11-5 win over the New York Mets - the haters in town might back off.

* Register to Speak Up! on these topics and others at Rocky MountainNews. com/sports.

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MEDIA PICKS.(Sports) - Albany Times Union (Albany, NY)

Bill Callen

Executive sports editor

Conference championships: 1-1

Season record: 148-118 (.556).

First, let's do away with the notion that this game rests on Rex Grossman. The conventional wisdom is that as Grossman goes, so go the Bears. But unless Grossman plays the game of his life, the Bears are overmatched. Any of the AFC's top four seeds would've been a heavy favorite, and I'd be shocked if the Colts fail to deliver on those expectations. Pick: Colts

Pete Dougherty

Staff writer

Conference championships: 1-1

Season record: 148-118 (.556).

Johnny Unitas, Fran Tarkenton, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly never won Super Bowls. Jeff Hostetler, Mark Rypien, Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson did. It's not always about the quarterbacks; it's usually about the defense. As long as Rex Grossman doesn't give the game away, the Bears can stay with Peyton Manning and the Colts. Pick: Bears

Lisa Stevens

Copy editor

Conference championships: 1-1

Season record: 155-111 (.583)

It's time for nice guys to finish first. Tony Dungy proved against New England he can change plans, and with Peyton Manning finally shedding the 'big game loser' tag, look for a 49ers-like offensive show. Indy's defense is playing rabid football, and Chicago's Rex Grossman has been too inconsistent. Pick: Colts

Doug Sherman

WRGB-6 sports director

Conference championships: 1-1

Season record: 153-113 (.575).

More than any other NFL team, the Colts boast five former Syracuse stars on their roster. So for Marvin Harrison, Dwight Freeney, Josh Thomas, Ryan LaCasse and James Mungro (injured reserve), I pick the Indianapolis Orange to crush the Bears. Pick: Colts

Joe Calderone

Capital News 9 sports anchor

Conference championships: 1-1

Season record: 155-111 (.583)

I'm a big 49ers fan, and when Indy beat New England it reminded me of the 1990s rivalry between San Francisco and Dallas. For two seasons the 49ers just couldn't match up against the Cowboys. It was a huge monkey on the back of Steve Young. Once the Niners beat the 'Boys in the '94-95 NFC title game, the pressure was off, and they dominated the Chargers in the Super Bowl. I think it's the same thing here with Peyton Manning. Pick: Colts

Brian Sinkoff

WTEN-10 sports director

Conference championships: 0-2

Season record: 157-109 (.590).

Defense wins championships! Don't you just hate those cliches? Anyway, Chicago's defense has gotten the Bears to the big dance or the big show or the big game. But it will be special teams that will give Chicago its first championship in 20 years. Return man Devin Hester is the best in the NFL, and he'll show you why. Pick: Bears

Rodger Wyland

WNYT-13 sports director

Conference championships: 1-1

Season record: 161-105 (.605).

Peyton Manning got one monkey off his back when the Colts won the AFC title. He will remove the other when Indianapolis beats the Bears. The Bears will keep it close. But in the end, Manning will win the MVP and get the ring he desperately needs. Pick: Colts

Rich Becker

WXXA-23 sports director

Conference championships: 0-2

Season record: 157-109 (.590).

Dilemma for Kenny ahead of big day Send sport@; Final pick is such a tough call.(Sport) - Liverpool Echo (Liverpool, England)

Byline: Reds legend

GETTING to Cup Finals might be every footballers' dream, but take it from me, Kenny Dalglish will have a nightmare decision to make ahead of Sunday's Wembley appearance.

Kenny has to decide who's going to run out at Wembley on Sunday - and even more agonisingly he has to choose who isn't.

I've been in that position when I took Tranmere to the Worthington Cup Final in 2000 and it's not a pleasant decision.

John Achterberg was the man I had to disappoint, when I told him Joe Murphy was getting the nod in goal.

I think he forgave me, eventually, but goalkeeper is probably about the only position Kenny won't have to think long and hard about on Sunday.

Pepe Reina will be the first name on the teamsheet, but after that Kenny has some serious thinking to do.

The two full-backs will probably be Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique, with Martin Kelly unfortunate to miss out - but the central defenders will be all about Jamie Carragher.

He's played in so many of the earlier rounds this season and has been such an inspiration for so many years - but he will have to wait to see if he gets the nod ahead of Agger and Skrtel. That's a tough, tough call for Kenny.

Steven Gerrard will be skipper and Craig Bellamy will definitely start on the left - but it's perm any one from three down the right, with Dirk Kuyt, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing all in contention, and a toss up between Jay Spearing and Charlie Adam for the other central midfield role.

But where I wouldn't expect Kenny to spend too long deliberating is up front.

For me Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez have to start.

Both are playing well, both had the confidence boost of a goal on Sunday and both are players Cardiff will have their hands full trying to contain.

The only stipulation I would make is that Luis has to be kept away from any penalty kicks!

He's had his chance now - twice - and fluffed them each time.

Stevie is our penalty taker - and if he's not on the pitch Dirk Kuyt and Charlie Adam can argue it out amongst themselves, but hopefully not as publicly as they did on Sunday, until Kenny stepped in and ordered Luis to take it.

I've been on the receiving end of one of those Kenny orders before - and I was delighted! He sent me on to take a penalty in my final match for Liverpool against Crystal Palace, and fortunately I put it away to sign off with a goal.

But we were winning 5-0 at the time. I wouldn't expect anything like that on Sunday at Wembley, just as I wouldn't expect Kenny to have an easy decision to make with his team selection for the weekend.

Good luck, Kenny!

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