LIGHTNING ROUND OUT GOOD, BAD AND SOMETIMES DOWNRIGHT UGLY SEASON

By Allan Brown

So close and yet so far.

When Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos had his picture taken next to the Prince of Wales Trophy last May, he stood near the award, but far enough away as not to touch it.

You see, there's a superstition around the NHL that if you touch the trophy, given annual to the champions of the Eastern Conference, you will automatically lose in the Stanley Cup Final.

Of course, even with Stamkos standing a noticeable distance away from the Prince of Wales Trophy, the Lightning fell to the Chicago Blackhawks, four games to two in the Cup Final.

So close and yet so far.

Close enough to the promised land to actually begin to think of hoisting Lord Stanley's trophy and take a victory lap around the ice at Amalie Arena, yet far enough away from thinking of drinking celebratory champagne from the fabled Cup.

So close and yet so far.

Those six little words best sum up the past year for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In my last Lightning blog, I had some fun and named my annual Five Most Intriguing Bolts of the Year. In doing so, I also gave kudos and some statistical recaps for some of the best players on the Tampa Bay roster. In Part Two of my year-end review, I stick strictly to the numbers.

And those numbers reiterate that the Bolts are, yes, so close and yet so far from becoming an elite NHL franchise.

Of course, Stamkos lead the team in scoring, and although his 43 goals in 2014-15 were down from previous campaigns, the All-Star center didn't need as many goals, as his teammates really stepped up to make the Lightning the ultimate cohesive squad that led the league in goals scored.

Players like J.T. Brown Alex Killorn came into their own this past calendar year, with Killer netting the game-winning goal against the New York Rangers that put the Lightning into the Stanley Cup Final.

Of course, any review of the Lightning's performance this past year would be remiss without mentioning their league-leading scoring - which was lead by their second line, affectionately known as 'The Triplets' - or their deep playoff run that saw them get thisclose to the promised land.

Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov have all suffered injuries this season, tempering their numbers from last year, but it is worth mentioning their collective 75 goals and 126 assists from the last campaign that saw them all in the Lightning's top three among assists with Johnny and Kuch also among the top three players in goals scored, with Palat following close behind in fourth.

Mixing that second line up in this current season at some points was a necessity and, at other times, a failed attempt by Head Coach Jon Cooper to shake things up when the other lines weren't scoring. Clearly, when healthy that line needs to remain intact, as they provide the Bolts with the best chance at repeating as Eastern Conference champions in May.

As the new season started in October, the Lightning certainly seemed poised to take that final step in the franchise turnaround that began over five years ago when businessman Jeff Vinik purchased the team and reinvigorated it with a new logo, a newly remodeled arena and - most importantly - a new front office.

Yet despite keeping the team virtually intact - only left winger Brenden Morrow failed to return to the club this season - the 2015-16 Bolts seemed very far away from the squad that almost won it all in June.

Be it multiple injuries, plain burnout from a playoffs-shortened summer vacation or just that other teams have now gotten wind of Cooper's style of play, the Lightning have struggled in the first part of this season.

But in keeping with the spirit of this holiday season, there had seemed to be a Christmas miracle of late, as the Bolts had won seven of their last 10 games. Yet, two of their last three contests before the Christmas break were both debacles with Coach Coop and the gang definitely playing Ebeneezer Scrooge for the Lightning faithful. Sandwiched in between one of their better games of the season, a thumping of Ottawa, came a loss to the league-leading Capitals in a game where Tampa had a 3-0 lead, only to fall to Alex Ovechkin & Company 5-3 via a dreadful third period of play. That was nothing compared to Tuesday night's embarrassing loss to a not even that good Vancouver Canucks team. In that final game before the three-day blackout known as the NHL holiday break, the Bolts sunk to an all-time low and were an absolutely abhorrent 1 for 10 on the power play.

Despite everything, the Lightning are still only six points behind the injury-plagued Montreal Canadians, who lead the Atlantic Division with 43 points. But when you compare that record to the Capitals 52 points, which leads the Eastern Conference, the Bolts look pretty much like they are on life support. Entering the break, Tampa Bay has a 17-15-3 record, which puts them in sixth place in their division. Thank the Hockey Gods for that recent 70 percent win percentage, or they could have easily been out of the division race before the new year even started.

So as the calendar year comes to an end, it's safe to say the Lightning have had an up and down 12 months that saw them almost reach the pinnacle of success and win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 11 years. Unfortunately, the delirium fans felt this past season was tempered by the current campaign, which has seen the team somewhat floundering and its fans coming back down to earth.

So close and yet so far.

HAPPY NEW  YEAR! SEE YOU IN 2016, UNDER REVIEW!

Universal Disaster - A Review of Miss Universe

By Allan Brown

Having watched pageants since the 1970s and having served as a volunteer, director and judge for various systems since my college days, I thought I had seen it all.

I hadn't.

However, after last night's debacle at the Miss Universe competition, I can safely say that my pageant experience has come full circle.

Miss Colombia had the shortest reign of any announced winner in the 64 years of the pageant, with the crown sitting on her head for roughly 90 seconds before emcee Steve Harvey announced to the capacity crowd in Las Vegas that he had read the wrong name and Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, was actually the new Miss Universe.

Talk about embarrassing.

And so capped a three-hour disaster of a show that - due to the gaffe in the crowning - will certainly go down in the annals of pageant history as the most memorable one.

Unfortunately, it should be recorded in pageant history as the worst one ever televised, as well.

Growing up in the pageant glory days of the 1970s and '80s, my standards for what makes a good Miss Universe competition are pretty high.

And ending aside, Sunday night's pageant didn't even come close to living up to my expectations.

Granted, the pageants of the 70s and 80s were all glitz, all glamour and appealed to a certain sensibility and audience that, no doubt, Fox-TV, which broadcast the 64th Annual Pageant for the first time, could care less about attracting.

However, turning a pageant into a reality show, complete with a viewer vote, cheapens the competition and the esteemed history it has established in the past six decades.

From the opening number - oh, wait, there wasn't one - to the final crowning, or crownings as was the case, this pageant was a complete and total disaster.

Not having a grand, glitzy opening isn't exactly new for the pageant, which pretty much eliminated that aspect of the show in 2002, still
this year's pageant was completely devoid of anything even remotely close to the traditional opening  numbers that made these shows so enjoyable and highly rated in their heyday. At least we did get to see a closeup look at each of the 80 delegates national costumes.

Which brings us to pageant problem #1, don't pander to a lower common denominator. Don't runaway from what made these contests so popular in the first place. In other words, don't try to be something you're not. It's a beauty pageant, for God's sake, not American Idol or America's Next Top Model. Embrace the history and celebrate it. TPTB just don't get it. They have a built-in audience already, don't alienate them. Give them, give us,  what we want - a glamorous, beauty pageant, not some endless video montage telling us each contestant's sob story.

Eliminating the videos and behind the scenes nonsense could have easily made this a much more manageable two-hour telecast, as opposed to the boring, drawn out three-hour yawn fest that this pageant ultimately became.

Hiring a host who actually knew the history of the pageant and was passionate about it would be the second way to keep the audience. Granted, Harvey is a popular, affable emcee, whose daily talk show I enjoy, but he was all wrong for this gig and that was evident from the get go. He appeared nervous and awkward as master of ceremonies for such a prestigious event.

Of course employing the right emcee has been a problem for this particular pageant for 28 years. Not since 1987 when animal rights activist Bob Barker retired from his hosting duties - amid a controversy over the winner receiving a fur coat as a prize - the organization has had a difficult time finding a worthy successor.

While I contend that Andy Cohen came closest to achieving the same sensibility and zest for the job that Barker had, the selection of Harvey sounded like a good idea on paper, but failed miserably in execution on the television screen. I mean, really, I can't even phantom Barker yelling through the screen the way Harvey did even at the top of the show, let alone make some of the unclassy quips he made throughout the telecast.

As color commentator, Roslyn Sanchez was even worse than Harvey was as master of ceremonies. I long for the days when Ali Landry and Julie Moran sat in the skybox high above the goings on on the stage and gave actual commentary on the proceedings, but maybe, that's just me.

As for allowing the viewers to actually vote for each delegate during every round of the competition - as opposed to helping to put an eliminated contestant back into it as they have done in the past - it might sound like a good idea, but, in reality, is actually a terrible one. And I don't know if this was a universal problem, but, despite numerous attempts, I couldn't even log on to vote anyway.

In Latin countries, pageants are a religion. Likewise, the Philippines is a hugely pageant-obsessed Island Nation and the USA, where the MUO is based, is hardly devoid of strong pageant followers. This new innovation just doesn't seem fair to me, as it puts smaller nations   - or even larger ones where the countrymen could care less about pageants - at an extreme disadvantage.

But enough with the negative aesthetics of the show, now onto the actual competition.

Putting aside that it took the better part of 40 minutes to call out a top 15, the actual selections were pretty darn good. Eleven of the eventual 15 had been mentioned in my pre-pageant blog, with only Mexico and South Africa coming as a complete surprise to me. While I didn't include either Japan or Indonesia in my choices, both had generated positive buzz since arriving in Las Vegas and neither was a huge shock to get the call as a quarterfinalist.

For the first round of elimination, the quarterfinalists competed in swimsuits of different designs, some of which were extremely unflattering on their obviously well-toned bodies. My favorites in swimsuit were Colombia, USA, Australia and Dominican Republic. I felt some favorites like Miss Venezuela and Miss Philippines might be hurt just a little in this segment of the show.

Perhaps, I was wrong, as both made it forward to the next round and competed in the top 10 evening gown competition.

Both redeemed themselves nicely in that segment, and both changed their preliminary gowns and were in my top 5 of that area of judging. Of note, Miss Philippines' red preliminary gown was one of my favorites and rumor has it her handlers changed her final night gown to blue to match the Miss Universe crown. Talk about confidence. Of course, in the end they were right, weren't they? So what do I know. And, I did love her final blue gown, just not quite as much as the red one, though.

Of note in this area of the judging was Miss USA's gown. Not known for choosing great evening wear, Olivia Jordan saved the best for last - her final pageant - a gorgeous white gown custom made for her by a bridal designer. Elegant and very sexy, it was the perfect gown for her, though her extremely pale choice in lipstick color was certainly questionable.

In the end I had Philippines, USA, Colombia, Australia and Venezuela as best in gown.

With the exception of Venezuela that would end up being your final five. Miss France ultimately joined the other four and advanced to the next round.

While I thought Colombia and Philippines easily made the final three after nailing their top five question, I thought USA's answer might be her undoing.

Uncharacteristically nervous, Jordan waffled on her gun control answer and I thought it might cost her a spot in the top 3.

It didn't.

So following a final question where USA, Colombia and Philippines all answered the relatively easy question of why they should be the next Miss Universe, it was time for the judges final vote.

Which brings me to the celebrity panel of judges. Only four were selected for the final night and all from the USA. Please bring back the days of 9-11 judges all from different nations. This is an international competition, after all.

I did enjoy the final twist of having the eliminated contestants participate in the final vote, though, as who knows the young women better than their competitors?

Entering the final vote, I felt Colombia was probably the most well-rouned of the three, as USA faltered in her first-round answer and honestly Philippines swimsuit was pretty bad and this is, after all, a beauty pageant.

Still, I felt that since Philippines made it that far, she was the likely winner. I will say, though, that whenever I judge I always take into account the totality of the young woman and I felt that should hurt Pia, and to a lesser extent Olivia - in the final vote.

So when Colombia was first announced as the winner, I felt the judges did the right thing and took into account everything they had seen all evening.

In the end, they didn't.

Miss Philippines bad swimsuit didn't cost her the title.

Steve Harvey's YouTube moment of a faux pas to the worst extreme, though, almost did.

All in all, Miss Universe 2015 was a pageant to remember.

Unfortunately, though, it will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

'TWAS THE LIGHT(NING) BLOG BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER?

THE FIVE MOST INTRIGUING BOLTS OF THE YEAR

By Allan Brown

'Twas the week before Christmas and, well, you know the drill.

Among other things, stockings are being hung on the chimney with care.

For fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning, though, its not with the hope that St. Nick soon would be there.

Instead, members of Bolts Nation only want one thing in their stocking and that's a copy of the new contract that Captain Steven Stamkos will hopefully sign to keep him with the team for at least another five years.

And the constant media attention the Stamkos contract negotiations has received has been far more interesting, far more intriguing, than any cable drama plot point that a group of Hollywood writers could ever create.

In next week's Part Two of my Lightning holiday editions of Under Review, I'll provide a statistical recap of the calendar year that was for the Lightning, but for this Christmas blog, I'm not necessarily focusing heavily on those with the best statistics.

For the week before the goodies in everyone's Christmas stockings are unwrapped and devoured, it's time to pretty much put the numbers aside and to just have a little fun.

It's time to honor a few members of the Lightning who deserve special kudos and perhaps a Santa cap, rather than the traditional star that's awarded to a player who's had an exceptional game.

While much of the Bolts recent success can be credited to a cohesive the team that has raised its level of competition and has been committed to getting the job done, this blog has nothing to do with that.

We're not playing by the numbers, now.

The focus of this blog is to not honor the team for its accomplishments this past year, but, rather, to signal out five players who I deem as 'The Most Intriguing Bolts of the Year.'

Since my lead gives it away, yes, Stamkos is on the list.

However, we will get to Stammer, the intriguing contract negotiations that have dominated the media and the questions about it that have followed the Captain wherever he goes a little later on in this blog.

In keeping with my Christmas tradition, this ranking doesn't necessarily list the most talented players. While performance is certainly considered and each inclusion is definitely a vital cog in the Lightning's engine, this is a compilation of the five players - who for varied reasons - I'd most like to have at my holiday dinner table. These are the players, who statistics aside, have that something extra that makes them special, that makes them intriguing.

In the past, I've accorded both Head Coach Jon Cooper and General Manager Steve Yzerman the honor of being on this list, but this year, I'm going strictly with players. Each member of this list is fascinating in his own right and has definitely contributed to the fabric of this current incarnation of the team.

So, with apologies to Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov - otherwise known as 'the Triplets' - who collectively just missed making my list at Number 6, here are those I'd most like to break bread with at my Christmas dinner table, 'The Five Most Intriguing Bolts of the Year.'

5. J.T. BROWN - Granted, Brown might make my list solely because he is the only Lightning player who follows me on Twitter. However, all kidding aside, his growth as a player this season merits inclusion all on its own.

An admitted fan of Brown's since his AHL days with the Lightning's affiliate team, the Syracuse Crunch, his recent numbers and maturity have been wonderful to watch. In fact, it's only been 12 weeks into the new campaign and he has already equaled his goal and assists output from all last season. He also is currently tied for first place with Anton Stralman in the team's plus/minus statistic at 10. In addition to his increased numbers, anyone who witnessed that fabulous 'Saturday Night Fight' last week versus Nate Schmidt of the Washington Capitals would likely put him on this list in a special category all his own.

A hip, trendy guy - just witness his frosted locks he started sporting this season - any person who meets his eventual wife via Twitter deserves a mention as intriguing for that feat alone.

4. BRIAN BOYLE - The center is easy to dismiss on a team full of stars, but don't underestimate Boyle, who was signed by the Bolts to a three-year contract last year after five years with the New York Rangers. He may have been underappreciated in the Big Apple - heck, he might not even get his due here - but he's a solid, gritty player who never surrenders. Currently ranked third among Lightning players with 8 goals, he is more than half way to exceeding his scoring total from last season and his 6-7 frame makes him an imposing player - and a terrific threat when a fight erupts - on the ice.

Boyle excels on the power play, is strong in faceoffs and is a tremendous blocker. His blue collar roots and approachable personality off the ice have made him a favorite of his teammates, just as his aggressive play on it has endeared him to the squad, as well.

He makes the list not only because of his rapidly improving, threatening play, but because he just seems to be an all-around good guy who would be the life of the party if he was at your Christmas soiree. It's safe to say that he wasn't given his full due for what he did contribute to the Rangers, but as a Bolt, he is gaining in popularity and deserves a spot on this list. I would love to hear his tales from New York and see how he compares playing in two drastically different hockey cities.

3. RYAN CALLAHAN - Much of the credit for Boyle deciding to sign on the dotted line in Tampa has to be given to the #3 player on my list.

Callahan came to town in that now infamous March 2014 trade with the Rangers, where NY obtained the services of the Bolts former Captain, Marty St. Louis.

No doubt that the Lightning got the long end of the stick on that deal.

St. Louis has since retired and Callahan keeps trekking on, doing exactly what he was brought to Tampa to do. His punishing style of play has helped keep the Lightning in many a game this season and he has provided an important, veteran leadership role to the team, both attributes that you just can't put a price tag on.

One needs only to look at Callahan's return to the squad just days after having an emergency appendectomy late in the second round of the playoffs last spring as proof of this guy's tough determination and metal.

While, admittedly, Callahan is my favorite player and he would make this list regardless of his numbers, the aggressive right winger's contributions to the team - which go way beyond his 24 goals and 54 points he posted last season - are immeasurable. Plus, I'm sure as a dinner guest, he would endear everyone with not only his tales of an already-storied career - which has seen him play for the USA in two Olympic Winter Games - but with his Irish blarney, as well.

A Captain in New York and an alternate one in Tampa, Cally's pressers following Bolts games are always informative, often witty and prove why he has had a leadership role in both cities.

A strong addition to the Bolts, securing Callahan to a six-year deal following his first half season in Tampa in 2014 was certainly one of Yzerman's best moves.

2. BEN BISHOP - #BishPlease, why wouldn't the Bolts star goaltender be on this list?

A Vezina Trophy Finalist, for the most outstanding goalie in the league, two seasons ago, Bishop helped lead the team to its first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 11 years this past season. While his numbers were down slightly in 2014-15, you just can't underestimate how important he was to the team's success last year.

Having now long surpassed the franchise record for Most Career Wins, Bishop often gets attacked in social media for letting in an occasional soft goal or for moving too far away from the crease, yet the Lightning's current yoyo season might have already been in the toilet if not for his sturdy, dependable play between the pipes.

While statistics weren't a huge factor in a player making my list, I would certainly be remiss not to mention Bishop's stellar numbers to date this season.

His current 2.00 goals against average rank him second in the NHL, behind only the hottest goaltender in the league this season, Braden Holtby of the Capitals. Additionally, Bishop's .928 save percentage also places him in the top 10 in the league in that statistic. As we are well into the second third of the season, both of those numbers place Bishop on par with his Vezina-nominated year.

And Bishop can't be mentioned without using his #BishPlease social media tag that has become his trademark and is the battle cry Bolts fans shout out when the team is in desperate need of an extraordinary save from the star goaltender.

At 6-7, Bishop is a formidable figure on and off the ice and seems like a genuinely good guy, one definitely worthy of inclusion on this list.

If you're counting you know we're now up to the #1 player on the list.

1. STEVEN STAMKOS - The Captain and one of the NHL's elite goal scorers, Stamkos doesn't earn the top spot for either reason.

Instead, he's 'The Most Intriguing Bolt of the Year' for a reason that transcends his play on the ice. Of course, anyone familiar with hockey or the Lightning are already aware of just what that reason is.

In two words - Contract Talks.

Will Stamkos, who is arguably the face of the franchise as well as its leader, still be playing in Hockey Paradise this time next year? That is the question on the minds of almost anyone in Bolts Nation. And that is the main reason Stammer is the Most Intriguing Lightning Player of the Year.

Nearing the end of a five-year deal worth roughly $37.5 million, Yzerman is undoubtedly going to have to pony up a lot more than that by July 1 to keep the NHL All-Star this time around.

The question is just how much does the center actually want and will Yzerman forsake other members of the team to keep Stammer in Hockey Paradise?

Although neither party has commented on contract talks, its safe to assume Stamkos would likely need to earn roughly $10 million per year to remain here.

The team most frequently mentioned when Stamkos' possible relocation comes up is, of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs. That makes sense since the star is a native of Markham, Ontario, just 32 minutes North of Toronto.

Stamkos grew up a Maple Leafs fan and Toronto would certainly seem to be an inviting place for him to land for a number of reasons, not the least of which would be the location from his hometown.

Playing in Toronto would also likely garner Stamkos additional monies that he wouldn't receive in Tampa. Hockey is the national past time of Canada and he would not only be an even bigger star North of the Border, but the endorsement deals he would gain by playing in the Mother Land of the sport would likely be considerably more lucrative when compared to the extra money he is currently making while playing for the Bolts.

The biggest part of the equation for Stamkos would be is he willing to leave a team that is primed to be a Cup contender right now for one that looks to not be a real threat in the foreseeable future? Sure, the Maple Leafs signing of former Detroit head Coach Mike Babcock in the offseason is a definite sign that Toronto is  attempting to become a real contender. Realistically, however, most concede it will take at least five years, though, before that happens.

Is Stamkos willing to move to Toronto and give the Leafs the time it will likely take for them to actually contend for Lord Stanley's Cup or is being on a team with a real chance to win sooner, rather than later, more important than money?

Adding fuel to the fire are not only recent reports that Montreal might actually be a player in this possible bidding war, but also the apparent unwillingness of either Stamkos or Yzerman to have sealed a deal this past summer. Most had assumed the contract would have been signed in the off season, as opposed to becoming a distraction for both the Captain and the team in this current season.

The failure of either party to settle on a contract before the puck had dropped in the 2015-16 campaign, to me, clearly indicates that the two are miles apart in the negotiations. And Stamkos recently liking a Twitter post with a reference to him possibly going to Toronto - the second time, by the way, that such an occurrence has happened - has made uneasy Lightning fans even more uncomfortable.

Additional food for fodder in this touchy subject is could Cooper's insistence to often play the Captain as a winger when Stamkos clearly prefers playing center also be contributing to the discussion?

Not wanting to dampen anyone's holiday, I can't help, though, but to speculate myself on what the eventual outcome of this quandary will actually be. Let's be honest, if the negotiations were even relatively close, a deal would have already been reached. Unfortunately, Lightning fans have good reason to be concerned about losing their Captain before the puck drops on the 2016-17 season next October.

Whatever the eventual outcome is, this mini-soap opera has certainly fascinated hockey fans of all teams and has made Stamkos an even more intriguing figure than he had been when solely considering his superior ability on the ice.

So, there you have it, my 'Five Most Intriguing Bolts of the Year.'

As for Stamkos, who was known as Stammer Claus in a local sports radio promotion a few years ago, hopefully his Christmas gift - even if its a late one - to the Lightning fans will be the signing of a new contract.

If Stamkos doesn't ultimately re-sign, that move and his inclusion on this list would be like sticking a lump of coal in the Christmas stocking of everyone in Bolts Nation.

While it may seem premature to speculate on something that doesn't legally have to be settled for seven months,, July really isn't that far away. No doubt, these contract negotiations, which are front and center discussions on every sports media outlet around, will continue to dominate the hockey headlines until an ultimate decision is reached. The magnitude of the decision and the importance of Stamkos as an elite player have made this story even bigger than it would be for just an ordinary NHL center.

And even as Bolts fans hang the stockings over the chimney with care this holiday season, it's safe to say that most are doing so with a tad amount of trepidation, as they wonder if come July the Captain still will be there.

Come back next week for Part Two of my holiday Lightning blog, which will review the highs and lows of the team over the past 12 months.

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM UNDER REVIEW!

Beauty and Glamour Prevail as a Miss Universe Crown's At Stake in Vegas - A Cheat Sheet to Watch the Pageant

By Allan Brown

It's not every day that 80 of the most beautiful women in the Universe gather in one place.

Instead, it generally only happens for two weeks once a year.

Annually, the most glamorous beauties in the world convene at the site of the traditional pageant that supposedly crowns the most beautiful woman of them all and she is bestowed the title of Miss Universe.

This year, Las Vegas hosts the 64th annual Miss Universe Pageant. And what happens in Vegas will definitely not stay in Vegas, as the pageant will be televised to an estimated 1 billion people in some 190 countries and the winner will embark on a year-long reign fit for, well, a queen.

In the U.S., the Pageant will be televised on December 20 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Fox, which broadcasts the event for the first time. The past 12 contests had been televised on NBC and for the 43 years before that, CBS was the television home for the contest.

The WME/IMG talent agency bought the pageant from Donald Trump earlier this year amid threats of withdrawal from many Latin countries following comments by the Republican frontrunner for the presidential nomination that America should ban illegal Mexican immigrants from coming into the country.

NBC bowed out of televising the event and Fox eventually picked it up after WME/IMG acquired the pageant.

Putting aside all the controversy that has led up to the event, the delegates have made various appearances throughout Vegas in the two weeks leading up to the pageant.

And, prior to the live finals, each candidate will have faced a preliminary panel of celebrity judges, who will have analyzed them in swimsuit, evening gown and preliminary one-on-one interviews.

Only the elite will make it to the final round Sunday.

Choosing 15 quarterfinalists is a difficult - some would say impossible - task, but the panel will do it.

To give you armchair judges at home a little leg up on the rest of the audience, here are some of the contestants to look out for entering the final night of competition.

After 40+ years of watching and following the pageant, I feel that while I may not actually be an expert, I am certainly somewhat knowledgeable on what makes a strong Miss Universe candidate.

Of course, this is certainly not an exhaustive - nor probably even accurate list -  but, rather, a compilation of those who, in my opinion, have been standing out thus far in the competition.

Any list of prohibitive favorites would have to include both Miss USA and Venezuela. They have won the pageant a combined 15 times, with the U.S. holding a 8-7 edge in victories.

This year's contenders from the two countries are on this list not just because of the sash factor, but, rather, because they are legitimate contenders to succeed Paulina Vega of Colombia and ascend to the Miss Universe throne.

Oklahoma's Olivia Jordan, the reigning Miss USA, won her national title in large part due to her answer to the two final questions. A brilliant speaker and seasoned pageant competitor, if she makes it to the final five at Miss Universe, it's likely to be a slam dunk for her to capture the international title.

However, one can never rule out a contestant from Venezuela and this year's queen, Mariana Jimenez, is no exception. Stunningly gorgeous with a classic sense of style, she is reminiscent of the country's 2007 titleholder, Ly Jonaitas, who probably should have won Miss Universe eight years ago.

If either of the two frontrunners should falter, there are plenty of other prohibitive favorites waiting in the wings to capture the crown.

Latin beauties do amazingly well in the pageant, for the sole reason being that winning a title in those countries puts the victor on the fast track to instant celebrity. From the moment they are crowned, they have access to the best coaches and designers in their country. Seldom is a Latin-American beauty unprepared when she arrives at the Big Dance.

Six of the last 10 winners have been from Latin America and one of them could easily take home a seventh title in as many years next week.

If Miss Venezuela fails to win it, Miss Colombia could easily make it a back-to-back victory for her country. This year's representative was actually crowned late last year before Vega won her Universe crown and many thought that Ariadna Gutierrez was even more stunning than Paulina. A country winning two years in a row is rare, but, certainly not unheard of. Still only once in the past 6-and-a-half decades has it actually happened. The country who did it? You guessed it, Venezuela with consecutive victories in 2008 and 2009.

As for other strong Latin contestants, the Misses Peru, Dominican Republic and Brazil seem to lead the pack, with the latter having the slight disadvantage of having won her national title just days before arriving in Vegas. Brazil, though, has been strong of late, making the top 5 three of the last four years.

Like I previously said, pageants are not just for fun in Latin America, they are a well-run business and a winner of a pageant in that region is automatically a strong contender for any international crown.

Another Latina is a strong contender, though this one is from Europe, Miss Spain, has certainly turned heads since her national crowning and looks fierce in Vegas. Perhaps Carla Garcia will succeed where the last two winners from her country - both favorites entering their respective pageants - have failed, with the country finishing as 1st runner up in 2013 and a disappointing and surprising top 10 last year.

If Europe is to win its first Miss Universe title in 13 years, they couldn't ask for a stronger group of contestants to represent the continent. In addition to Miss Spain, Belgium, Great Britain, France and Denmark have sent extremely strong contenders with many thinking France's Flora Quequerol as the best of the bunch.

Still, there's something about Denmark's Cecilie Wellemberg that screams winner to me, even though the nation has never had a Miss Universe and has only placed twice in the past 49 years. Something tells me that's about to change this year.

Other strong contestants from Europe include the Misses Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Ukraine and Russia.

Asia is also particularly strong this year and the perennial stronghold nation of the Philippines is not even the best of the lot from that continent. While I think Pia Wurtzbach will at least make the 15 from that island nation, both Miss Vietnam and Miss Thailand may be stronger contestants, with Vietnam actually one of the odds-on favorites to win the crown

And Miss Thailand has already generated lots of headlines on her own with her controversial 'tuk-tuk' national costume, which was made to represent a replica of a motorized rickshaw. Even without Trump at the helm, those MUO pageants love to stir up controversy each year, don't they?

If any of the above-mentioned delegates falter during  Wednesday's preliminary competition, there are several delegates who are anxiously awaiting to pick up the pieces - or the winner's scepter - when December 20 gets here.

Those delegates who are bubbling just below some of the more heavily favored contenders include Australia, Poland, India and one who I actually think has an extremely good chance of advancing far into the competition despite her sash, and she would be Miss Curacao.

Just for the record, any of the young women I've spotlighted in this column would make an excellent and gorgeous Miss Universe and I think all - for different and varied reasons - are legitimate contenders. However, if I had to select a

pre-pageant top five, I could give you four: USA, Denmark, France and Vietnam. The other spot to me is wide open. Maybe Curacao.

I wouldn't, however, be all that surprised if that fifth spot was occupied by Miss Venezuela.

After all, I'd never wager too much against a country that's already captured seven crowns and that hopes to tie the USA with an eighth one next week.

For photos of all this year's Miss Universe delegates, go to www.MissUniverse.com and click on the contestants link.

The 'Price' is Right & Other Intriguing Figures of the Past Year

The 'Price' is Right & Other Intriguing Figures of the Past Year



By Allan Brown

Deflategate, alleged rape and players being injured at an alarming rate.

In other words, just another day at the office in the rollercoaster world of professional and collegiate sports.

With the year winding down, most media outlets will focus on the negative headlines sports generated in the past 12 months.

That makes sense.

Tragedy and scandal sell.

However, in keeping with my year-end tradition of highlighting some of the most intriguing players and teams in sports, the focus of this column will be to look past the negative and highlight the positive in what certainly was another action-packed and up and down year in what Jim McKay so appropriately used to call The Wide World of Sports.

Certainly, Tom Brady and Deflategate dominated the headlines all year. Heck, it even was the final question that somehow won Miss America 2016, Betty Cantrell, her crown.

While my opinion on the whole fiasco has been duly noted in prior columns, the upside of it has been that it lit a fire under Brady, who is arguably playing some of the best football of his career, posting MVP numbers and likely leading the New England Patriots to yet another Eastern Division title in the American Football Conference. Number 12 - and the whole team for that matter - has been playing lights out football, trying to get that negative chip off their shoulder and showing the whole league that they don't need deflated footballs to capture another Super Bowl Ring.

It's hard to imagine that the defending champions won't be playing deep into January - and likely into February, too - as they try to capture a fifth Vince Lombardi Trophy.

If any team can beat them, it might be the still-undefeated Carolina Panthers, led by Quarterback Cam Newton, who is making his own case for NFL MVP.

That story has yet to reach its denouement, but both teams have dominated the headlines with their records and aggressive play.

Other teams that many prognosticators had picked to challenge the Patriots have fallen short.

The Buffalo Bills under new Head Coach Rex Ryan have yet to find their way or their quarterback.

The Miami Dolphins, who secured defenseman Ndamukong Suh in the offseason, had looked to be a real contender to dethrone the champions in the AFC East, but to date - and two coaches later - look more like a clumsy pretender, rather than a contender. One has to assume a new coach for the team will be named in the offseason, one who can lead the team and command the respect of its most popular player and maybe make the once-mighty Fins an elite NFL team once more.

Perhaps, their time will come, but not this year. Still, they deserve mention as both - especially the always outspoken and certainly intriguing Ryan - have made the NFL season a little more interesting, even if their teams haven't performed to the level most expected they would. 

As for other notable figures in the NFL in 2015, Quarterback Andy Dalton has silenced the naysayers - so far - with his exceptional signal calling while leading the Bengals to a commanding lead in the AFC North. It has been a strong year for Cincy, tho 2016 will be the real barometer as to whether this team can get to that next level under Dalton and Head Coach Marvin Lewis, both who have yet to win a playoff game on their watches.

With rookie quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota at the helm, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans have generated their own fair share of headlines this season. Both have made stupid, yet to be expected, mistakes in their freshman year in the NFL, but both have also - at times - looked brilliant and worthy of their teams' first-round draft picks. They are the future of the league.

But back to the not-so-distant past, this year has seen an alarmingly increased number of injuries in all sports, but particularly in the NFL. Whether those injuries are related to the increased competition in the league or some bigger problem - think PED use - it certainly seems that the league must look at the high rate of players being carted off the field - and the reasons behind it - in the upcoming year.

Staying with the gridiron, but moving on to the College Football scene, the year started off big for fans of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who under the guidance of Urban Meyer completed a second consecutive undefeated season en rout to their first National Championship in 12 years. 

OSU has continued to thrive under Meyer, whose Buckeyes only loss in his first three seasons in Columbus came at the hands of an exceptional Michigan State team last month.

As for the other College Football elite, the Alabama Crimson Tide, who were OSU's biggest victim in their championship run, look poised to run the gamut this year and would have to be prohibitive favorites to win next month's National Championship. Under Nick Saban, this season's Tide have returned to form and are 'rolling' at just the right time. It would be hard to imagine - though not impossible - that they couldn't beat any of the remaining contenders - all of which have at least one glaring flaw - once January gets here. Despite having a great, undefeated season and winning the ACC Championship, the Clemson Tigers - intriguing and deserving of inclusion on this list in their own right, - will have their work cut off for them in the college football playoffs as their run blocking is atrocious and their entire offensive line is flawed.

Not that the Tide isn't flawed.

They produce a lot of turnovers, lack depth at running back and tend to let teams stay in the game just a tad bit too long, all flaws that could catch up to them and be their Achilles Heel in the playoffs.

2015 was also the year that the University of Georgia realized that Mark Richt just wasn't right for their program, as the popular head coach stepped down after 15 seasons that saw the Bulldogs undercompete in the competitive SEC. While Richt was a two-time SEC coach of the Year and helped his teams capture two SEC championships and six Eastern Division titles, he couldn't get a talent-packed squad - that, unfortunately, was often was replete with injury - to win the big one, a national championship.

Perhaps Richt will have better luck with his new team, the University of Miami Hurricanes, who fired Head Coach Al Golden mid-year after he posted only one nine -win season in his five years down South. Perhaps Richt will be the one to rejuvenate a Hurricanes squad that used to dominate in college football and perhaps he will be the one who will make it "All About the U" again.

Moving on to the baseball diamond, the Kansas City Royals were more than intriguing this past year. Despite a paltry payroll, the Royals proved money doesn't matter as they won their second consecutive American League title en route to capturing the World Series pennant for the first time in 30 years.

In contrast, the team with one of the highest payrolls, the Boston Red Sox, were intriguing for a different reason.

Having dwelled in the cellar of the American League East three of the last four seasons, the Red Sox were intriguing more for what they did off the field in the off season than what they did - or didn't as the case may be - do on the diamond.

Last week's signing of David Price to a seven-year $217 million contract, which makes him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history, should help settle the team's woes as far as pitching rotation goes. It remains to be seen as to whether this move will be a boom or a bust. However, I have two words for any of the naysayers who believe that Price won't be able to deliver in the post season, Randy Johnson.

A player's past is not necessarily an indication of his future productivity, as Johnson can attest to. After years of post season mediocrity, he was finally able to win that elusive World Series Championship with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. Maybe Price awaits the same fate. Time - and $31 million a year - will tell.

I'm admittedly not a huge NBA fan, but I'd be remiss not to take at least a short trip onto the hardwood and give credit where it's due to a few basketball-related legends and a team that won it all this past summer. First off, congratulations to the Golden State Warriors, the squad that defied the odds and came out as NBA champs, defeating an injury-depleted Cleveland Cavaliers squad, whose leader, LeBron James made a triumphant return to town and almost got the city its first World Championship in any sport since before any of you reading this column were even born. Even without a Championship banner being hung in Northeastern Ohio, 'the King's' return righted a wrong and made fans hopeful that 2016 will, indeed, be the year that a Cleveland-based team wins it all.

And any column on the year in review would be incomplete without honoring Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who announced that he would be retiring from the sport, effective at the end of the season. A five-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Bryant became one the true legends of the game in his 20 years in LA and his jersey numbers, both #8 and 24 - not just Number 8 as Shaquille O'Neal has suggested - should be immediately retired upon his leaving the game.

Finally, we take to the ice, where the Chicago Blackhawks have carved out a real dynasty in winning their third Stanley Cup in six years. The Hawks will have a difficult time defending that title in the coming year, as salary cap and free agency issues forced them to lose the services of Brandon Saad, Patrick Sharp, Antoine Vermette, Brad Richards and Kris Versteeg. Still, there's plenty of talent to go around in Chi-Town and the Blackhawks - like the Patriots in the NFL - have proven they can win no matter what the circumstances are. With star right winger Patrick Kane having survived an off-season rape allegation - a charge which was later dropped - and despite, their current just average record, it wouldn't probably be a good idea to bet against them come playoff team next spring.

Down South in Sunrise, Florida, the Panthers look to contend - or at the very least improve - with this year's Calder Memorial Trophy Winner for Best Rookie of the Year, Aaron Ekblad, who looks punishing each time he takes the ice.

And while the New York Islanders have moved to Brooklyn, the change of scenery hasn't affected their chances of eventually returning to the glory days of the early '80s. They remain my sleeper team to do some serious damage in the Stanley Cup playoffs, despite most analysts saying the surging Washington Capitals will be the ones to beat in the Eastern Conference. Once the post season begins, anything can happen, just ask the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Kings.

As for the other team most chose to contend in the East, the defending Conference Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, their kudos will have to wait for another day, as an upcoming blog will be devoted exclusively to them.

For now, every player and every team on this list is special for a specific reason. They may not all have had a stellar year - Rex Ryan and the Red Sox come to mind - but all are intriguing and all are worthy for inclusion for their own special reasons.

All have made the past 12 months a little more interesting, a little more intriguing, if you will. And all figure to be players in 2016, as well. Their ultimate fates, of course, like always, are still Under Review.

Until my Christmas Lightning blog, enjoy the holidays and Happy Chanukah!