Frank Lalonde reviews the picks

Mark's picks: Mark has made some excellent picks (with the possible exception of Russell Johnson, who I believe died about 10-15 years ago).Matt's picks: With a good mix of entertainment, sports, government, and even the porn industry I think Matt's diversified portfolio could reap (pun intended) huge dividends.Sherry's picks: You've got to like Sherry's chances of scoring big upsets, with no less than 17 unique selections. Plus, as the only one to take a shot at Bin Laden, she's got to be a sentimental favorite.Roland's picks: Roland appears to be aiming for points from the entertainment industry. Roland seems to be working on the age factor heavily.Sandy's picks: With several surprising picks, I'd have to say that Sandy's out of the running this year. Still, if only one or two of her dark-horse candidates come in, that could push her into the money slots. And, those elusive first and last bonus points might push her to the top.
Projected: 1-Sherry, 2-Matt, 3-Mark, 4-Roland, 5-Sandy
* Muhammad Ali (Sandy): I haven't seen any pictures of "The Champ" recently, though I've heard that he's not doing so well. This might be a large KO for Sandy!* Bob Barker (Sherry): How does he do it? Maybe it's the young women he 'tutors'? Does he drink their blood to stay alive or what?* Barbara Billingsley (Roland): Can she "ward" off death much longer? See Jerry Mathers* Osama Bin Laden (Sherry): A shot in the dark? Probably depends a lot on U.S. relations with Pakistan, and the Obama administration.* Ernest Borgnine (Sherry and Roland): the star of "McHale's Navy Joins The Air Force" is due. Still, I see him hanging on until late in the year (just to piss everyone off).* William F Buckley (Sherry): I still think "Bill" isn't due until 2010.* Frank Cady (Mark and Roland):* David Carradine (Sherry): He's gotta be right up there with Clint Eastwood. In fact, I'd give David a great chance of claiming the 'first death' bounty.* Jimmy Carter (Sandy): Even though the age shows, being a 'goodwill ambassador' seems to agree with Jimmy. I can't really see him pulling down any points for Sandy this year.* Fidel Castro (Mark, Matt and Sandy): what can I say. I mean, this guy has outlived so many Presidents it's pitiful. Selecting him is like predicting that Cal Ripken, Jr. wouldn't make it to 2,000 consecutive games played.* Dick Cheney (Sherry): Since I'm still not convinced that he's actually alive, it's difficult to agree with this choice. Besides, he's apparently a firm believe in Shakespeare: "First, let's kill all the lawyers."* Dick Clark (Sandy): I would say this is no longer that big of a gamble. But...is it really worth the points? Either need any early KO, or hope he hangs on until 2009 New Year's Eve.* Walter Cronkite (Roland): News-anchors...gad. Walter isn't a bad pick, but I really think retirement suits him well, so I'd have to give this pick a thumbs-down.* Olivia de Havilland (Roland): Bury her next to Errol Flynn, then erect a stone saying: "They Died With Their Boots On".* Richard De Vos (Matt):* Andy Dick (Mark): I see this as really nailing the ball on the 'sweet spot' for some reason. I can't actually say why, but this could be quite a 'sleeper' pick.* Lil' Jimmie Dickens (Sandy):* Phyliss Diller (Roland): Heck, she looked like she was dead about 5 years ago. Won't be many points, but I still think Roland's going to score with this one.* Fats Domino (Sandy): The forgotten one, at least until Hurricane Katrina. Fats is racing death, and I'd say the smart money's on death.* Kirk Douglas (Mark and Roland): Sad to say, I'd have to agree with this selection. Remember, he's NOT an animal.* Robert Duvall (Sherry): Again...it's hard to argue against this selection. Still, you've got to admire his "enthusiasms".* Roger Ebert (Mark and Matt): One thumb up...six feet down.* Queen Elizabeth (Sherry): A GREAT surprise pick. This is one I'd NEVER have thought of. But, mark my words...if she does finally kick the bucket, I really think Prince "Don't Call Me Big-Ears" Charles might not be too far behind.* Farah Fawcett (Mark): definitely in her prime. Still, hard to 'pin' up your hopes on her.* Larry Flynt (Matt): I just don't see it. I mean...look at Hugh Hefner. And, with the wheelchair, Larry's sitting in the lap of luxury (and he's surrounded by many luxurious laps as well!).* Joan Fontaine (Roland):* Betty Ford (Matt, Sherry and Sandy): You can't really fault this pick at all. And, with Matt also selecting Nancy Reagan, this might be a good haul from a couple of First Ladies.* John Forsythe (Roland):* Anne Francis (Mark): Again, I really don't think this pick makes sense. Heck, her "Forbidden Planet" co-star, Lesley Nielsen would probably be a more likely candidate.* Annette Funacello (Matt and Sandy): Grave-blanket bango?* Zsa Zsa Gabor (Roland): Another 'slap in the face' (see Richard Simmons under Sherry's picks). She's definitely got the age thing going, but I really have my doubts here.* Teri Garr (Mark): * Bobbie Gentry (Sherry):* Merle Haggard (Sherry): I would say that Merle's about ready for the "big time"* Larry Hagman (Mark): While the former "Dallas" star probably SHOULD have died a few years back, I'm not too sure. It's possible that Mark made this selection, hoping to finally put the "curse of Ewing" to rest.* Stephen Hawking (Mark and Matt): While you've got to love any scientist who would appear on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as himself, playing poker against other famous scientists, you've also got to love the odds that "time stands still for no man".* Ray Harryhausen (Roland): I could have sworn he was already dead, but maybe that was just one of his animated models. Maybe he's been 're-animated'? If so, I don't think it'll be for long. My guess would be shortly after the Academy Awards, since "The Day The Earth Stood Still" is being nominated for visual effect, and if that doesn't put Harry in his grave I don't know what will.* Paul Harvey (Sandy): His son's taken over...is Paul going to finally say that big "Gooday"?* Don Henley (Sherry): I'd say, in "The Long Run" that Don's got a few more years left in him.* Lena Horne (Matt): The horn will probably blow at midnight sometime this year.* Michael Jackson (Sandy): I just don't see "little Michael" kicking the bucket. Since he (I use the term loosely) has been staying out of the limelight recently, it's hard to gauge. But I would have to give MJ at least another 10 years.* Mick Jagger (Sherry): I like this selection (though my secret pick is Keith Richards). But, considering that I saw "The Stones" back in 1986 during what I thought was going to be their farewell tour, it's hard as hell to convince yourself that "they're due".* Steve Jobs (Mark): Another pick I'd have to argue against. Besides, the interesting possibility that he may actually try to hook his brain up to a Mac could cause much controversy within the Deathpool community.* Russell Johnson (Mark): "The Professor", as well as star of "Attack Of The Crab Monsters". How does he keep going? Massive will-power? Could it be some kinky coconut diet? If anything, it seems like Dawns Wells, "Gilligan's Island" co-star, would also be 'about ready. Maybe it'll turn out as "The Professor and...Maryann"!* Jennifer Jones (Roland):* Ted Kennedy (Matt and Sandy): Until the recent heart troubles, I thought Ted was good for another 3-5 years. Still, leaving the Senate for the Obama administration could actually re-vitalize him.* Henry Kissinger (Matt): The world's smartest man (just ask him), but he couldn't figure out who "Deep Throat" was. Well, unless he's planning to engage "Death" in a game of chess, I'd say "Kiss 'em goodbye!"* Jack Klugman (Mark): Since Jack looked old, even back when he was young, it's hard to agree with this. Will "The world of forensic medicine" have one more cadaver to examine? I think not.* Norman Lear (Matt): Is he currently working on a teleplay about his life...and death?* Jerry Lewis (Sherry and Sandy): No way I can argue with this selection. The only question mark is whether he'll make it through the next Labor Day Telethon.* Art Linkletter (Matt, Roland and Sandy): "Children say the darndest things", and something many say is: "Bang-bang...you're dead."* Karl Malden (Mark and Roland): The nose probably died a year or two ago...and they always say: "Follow your nose!"* Jerry Mathers (Sherry): This might be a hard year for "The Beaver".* Kevin McCarthy (Roland):* Bette Midler (Sherry): Somehow, I really don't think Bette's ready to sing a "swan song" quite yet. No black "Rose"s yet.* Mitch Miller (Mark): well past his prime (follow the bouncing casket?).* Al Molinaro (Sandy):* Harry Morgan (Roland and Sandy): I really see Harry as pulling in a few points. Maybe not many, but selecting him would be like betting on Secretariat to "show" at a horse race.* Willie Nelson (Sherry): I really don't see it. Of course, it might be that I like Willie, but he just seems to be active enough to stave off "Mr. Death" for awhile.* Bum Phillips (Matt): It'll be hard to "Kick the son-of-a-bitch" door in, if you're no longer kicking.* Roddy Piper (Mark): surprised me. Wrestlers (the 'professional' ones) have been kicking off the past few years at an alarming rate (steroids, hemarhoids, adenoids, whatever). Still, I really see selecting "Rowdy" Roddy as a stretch. We ARE talking about the star of "They Live!".* Sydney Poitier (Matt): This is a selection I do like, since I really feel Sydney's political activism will finally take it's toll. Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for (syd)ney.* Dan Rather (Sherry): Another news-anchor. I'd have to give this selection a thumbs-down* Nancy Reagan (Matt): See Betty Ford* David Rockefeller Sr (Matt):* Andy Rooney (Matt, Roland and Sandy): I actually thought he was at death's door about two years ago. Can he be suffering from the curse of Lalaine?* Mickey Rooney (Sandy): The only question here is whether Mickey's going to take yet one more wife before he finally buys the farm.* JD Salinger (Mark and Sandy): I'd think the scythe is about ready to reap the rye.* Allen Shellenberger (Sandy):* Richard Simmons (Sherry): Sweatin' to the moldy's. This pick is a real 'slap to the face'.* JR Simplot (Matt):* Elizabeth Taylor (Mark): probably due to sail one last time down the Nile on a barge, only this time it's not a fun cruise.* Gore Vidal (Sherry): I'd say it depends on whether he's working on a new novel or not. It'd be difficult to see a book with the 'blurb' "Gore Vidal's unfinished epic". Still, there might be the Stanley Kubrick effect at work.* Abe Vigoda (Matt): Something's really "Fishy" about this selection. Maybe this is just not going to be the year for people of the Jewish faith.* Jan Michael Vincent (Mark): does Mark seriously think Ernest Borgnine will outlive his "Airwolf" co-star? Two other contestants selected "McHale".* Eli Wallach (Mark and Roland): another winner! I'm sure we'll be hearing the words "Pleasant...dreams?" for the last time during 2009.* Mike Wallace (Matt): Battle of the news-anchors. Matt's putting his money on Mike Wallace, Roland is going for the "sure thing" in "Uncle" Walter Cronkite. Sherry's picking Dan Rather. Somehow, I think all are going to be disappointed. But, if I had to select a news-person, I'd probably have gone with a dark-horse: Barbara Walters.* Joseph 'Judge' Wapner (Roland): "Gotta see Wapner. Gotta see Wapner." I really don't see this pick raining on Roland's parade. Possibly an early 'winner'.* Amy Winehouse (Sandy):* Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (Roland): Looking at all the names that people selected...If I had to choose one that I thought Roland would go for, this would be it. And...This could be yet another winner for him.