JUST DON'T TAKE AWAY MY "NCIS:" In news sure to bring tears to the eyes of all 9.8 million people who are still watching it, "JAG" will end its 10-season run at the end of this year. In news sure to cause many readers of this blog to tear up, "JAG" is still watched by about 50% more viewers than watched "Arrested Development" last season, when it averaged 6.18 million viewers.

HIS ONE SHINING MOMENT: Our former co-blogger Scott Claffee of Life, Law, Libido won our NCAA Tournament Pool. Apparently, having NC over Illinois in the finals helped.

GONE IN 8.9 SECONDS: Tonight, Reggie Miller and his ugly-assed teeth will make their last appearance ever in Madison Square Garden.

If that doesn't bring back memories, I feel bad for you. You missed something special.

NERD ALERT: Star Wars 3 merchandise went on sale at midnight last night at the Times Square Toys "R" Us:

Eventually, even the hired costumed characters dropped everything to buy lots and lots of burnt-face Anakin Skywalker toys. Now that was seriously fun. Look, I'm not trying to overplay the significance of buying Star Wars toys, because I was born to usher in a higher understanding of social grace. Still, it's pretty fucking awesome to buy Stormtrooper figures next to real Stormtroopers.

Even f you missed it, you can still order Mr. Potato Head Darth Tater online, as well as the doll that can only be called **NOT REALLY A SPOILER IF YOU'VE SEEN RETURN OF THE JEDI, WHICH WAS TWENTY YEARS AGO** Pregnant Padme. Hey . . . are those twins in there?

IS WAYNE BRADY GOING TO HAVE TO CHOKE HIS RIVALS? Apparently, if your name really is Rick James and you print a lot of signs that say Vote Rick James because you're running for city council, then people will want to steal them.

Go figure. I hear he's going to have President Black Bush campaign on his behalf.

WE ACTUALLY TURNED DOWN THE AWARD FOR CRITICISM: The winners of the 2005 Pulitzers have arrived. Sadly, although Newsday's "serious, energetic and substantive series examining three decades of hip-hop music in American life" was a finalist in the "explanatory reporting" category, it was defeated by the Boston Globe's coverage of the stem cell research debate. Other winners of note include WSJ film critic Joe Morgenstern, Marilynne Robinson's novel Gilead, John Patrick Shanley's play Doubt, and history writing legend David Hackett Fischer for his recent book Washington's Crossing.

THE FINAL BLOW: As a result of his Super Bowl wager with the Bay State's governor, the Hon. Edward G. Rendell had to engage in a little dress-up at the Fleet Center today, as well as sing the National Anthem -- thankfully, with an assist from his Article III-empowered, opera-trained wife.

updated: sadly, we missed a possible assist from Mo Cheeks.