Which got me wondering, as I do every year: Will resident kibitzer and lightning rod (Lynbrook) Tony Kornheiser return for another season?

"We expect Tony to be back," a spokesman said.

What about you, Tony? You in?

"I told them I would like to do it again if they wanted me back," he said, citing his belief that the show has improved, with "last year better than the year before and better than the year before that."

After Ron Jaworski replaced Joe Theismann for 2007 and booth guests and sideline reports largely were ditched for '08, viewer complaints dwindled.

Kornheiser is not everyone's cup of tea, but he no longer is as easy a target for viewers and critics who considered ESPN's early approach overly cluttered.

Not that all guests are a bad idea.

"If I ran the zoo and I could get Gisele Bundchen in the booth, I'd try," Kornheiser said.

"I don't care if she says anything. I'd just like to do a cutaway shot of her sitting there."