Sporting News, The: Couldn't parlay it into a joke

Because of some unusual wagering, an offshore bookie has quit taking bets on who will be the winner in the second season of Donald Trump's huge hit, The Apprentice. You know, this is really disappointing. A story about gambling and someone with really, really bad hair, and not a single Pete Rose joke comes to mind.

The top 5

To the Giants and 49ers fan who wonders, "What's in a name?" The answer is, "It depends, because it seems to change game to game": 1. Candlestick; 2.3Com; 3. Pacific Bell; 4. SBC; 5. Monster (where the product inside truly is scary).

Speaking of San Fran ...

Despite being heavily criticized for abandoning the run, Mike Martz says the Rams still will throw the ball all over the place and will continue to play "fast and furious." In fact, their playbook has been renamed, Terrell Owens, the 49er years."

Slick a spoon in that idea

The estate of John Facenda is suing the Campbell Soup Co. because it believes a commercial voiceover sounds too much like the late NFL Films narrator. The soup company will contest the suit, but just to be safe, it will scrap one of its products in the developmental stages: Frozen Tundra Chowder,

Casting really was quite easy

The Farrelly brothers have been using Fenway Park as a location for a movie about an obsessed Red Sox fan who lives and dies with each win or loss. So, is this the first reality movie?

And, the kicker ...

The first presidential debate was held at the University of Miami last week. Some had figured it would be held in Tallahassee, the state capital and home of Florida State University, but there were concerns the leanings would be too wide right.

Going from the hunted to Hunter

After an 0-3 start, Dick Vermeil got several supportive phone calls from old friends, including Fred Dryer of TV's Hunter fame.

Oh, yeah, and MacGyver checked in and told Vermeil to run more gadget plays.