Ellen D. Wins!

Ellen D. and two of her grandchildren celebrating her victory at the top of the Space Needle

Ellen D. won the 26th Annual Final Four Extravaganza by correctly picking 3 of the 4 teams in this year's Final Four. She becomes another 2-time winner of the 'Ganza and it only took her 24 years in between victories.

Sunday was quite a day for Ellen D., a 30 year season ticket holder for the University of Washington Huskies women's basketball team. The day started with her beloved Huskies securing their first ever trip to the Women's Final Four and it ended with her winning over $2000 in the 'Ganza.

Her grandchildren were originally quite excited in anticipation of the gifts they were expecting. Grandma won a lot of money and they were certain to get their share. Unfortunately for them, Ellen D. had other plans. "I'm going to take this money and use it to see the Huskies in the Final Four in Indianapolis!" she exclaimed.

Upon hearing this her youngest grandchild Jack S., former 'Ganza Champion, had this reaction:






"Are you freaking kidding me!" he groused.

Thanks for participating, everybody and get your checks in. Send them to:

Michael Shea
4707 Vantage Ave
Valley Village, Ca. 91607

And Then There Were Two!

Just when the Extravaganza was staring an unprecedented dozen plus player playoff in the face divine providence stepped in and everyone got wiped out. Everyone that is except 1st time participant Joe K. and 1992 'Ganza Champion Ellen D.

The situation has become very simple. If North Carolina beats Notre Dame tomorrow Ellen D. will win. If ND somehow pulls out the amazing upset then Joe K. and Ellen D. will move on to a Final Four playoff.

Congrats to them both and good luck! (But if Joe K. wins in his first time playing, some people, like longtime participants who have never won, Tim S. and Jon T., may come unglued. And remember, Joe, if you win you are in the 'Ganza for life. No cherrypickers allowed.)

I'd list the people who were knocked out today but there are too damn many to type. Let's just put it this way, you're all losers!

BYE BYE!

This is Andrew C.. He is a gracious loser... and a failure.

The last two days have seen the demise of 12 (actually 11) Ganzans. Warren W., Tracy W., Jon T., Andrew C., Frank G., David G., Eric S., Pappy*, Will L., Murray S., Ryder G., Dawn F., Daskull, and David D.* have been officially eliminated. While the damage could have been much worse were it not for Notre Dame winning yet again(!), there was one contestant who took it in stride. Andrew C. . Following Iowa State's drubbing by number 1 seed Virginia, which eliminated him, Mr. C took solace in the fact that his team tried hard. "I feel really good about tonight, despite the loss. They just really outplayed us." he said, followed by, "I just hope somebody who is a good person wins this year. That's all I could ever really ask for." Upon hearing these comments, Extravaganza co-founder Corey W. had this to say, "Whatever." 

In other news, Ganza IT person Lisa L. made yet another error on the Picks Page. It turns out David D. and Pappy are the same person. When contacted for comment about this debacle,  Michael S. had this to say, "Whatever."  Then, after a moment of reflection he added, "We may have to seriously consider firing her. I'm sure that'll go over well on the home front. At least Jack will be happy." 

It was later learned the Extravaganza Organizing Committee had hired NFL commissioner Roger Goodall in an advisory capacity, and that an investigation is pending.

Holy cow! It just continues!

Pictured above, the pope displays his basketball skills

Thanks to Notre Dame still being alive, very few have yet to be officially knocked out of this year's festivities. Only last year's champ Jack S. (who is still swearing about his mom screwing him), his mom Lisa L. (who Jack is very happy to see has joined him), Evan B., the first David G., and Kells W. are officially out. When asked for comment about their still being alive with only one number one seed left, Both Ed L. and Kevin O. praised the pontiff and their good fortune, "Never again will we question that there is indeed a force greater than us all. We both plan to join our local catholic dioceses as soon as a champion is crowned. Praise be to God!"

Lucy/Anabelle - A Premature Celebration? 

In other news, Lucy/Anabelle were photographed celebrating the fact they too are still in it, despite only having a couple number one seeds left. "We don't care." they said. "Our dad told us we were out of it on day one after Purdue and Arizona got knocked out." They then continued, " Sorry dad, read'em and weep! We're still just as in it as you. Now please stop telling us what to do all the time." When asked his comment, their dad (Corey W.) said, "What are you gonna do? I actually hope they win. Their birthdays are coming up, and well, those ponies they've been asking for don't come cheap!."
Looking ahead to next week, if or when Notre Dame finally does lose, major carnage will follow.  Stay tuned... AND, send in your checks.

First Round MAYHEM!!!!!

In one of the craziest first rounds in Extravaganza history, all but three contestants were racked with losses.  Only Jon T., two time past champ Trevor G., and Lisa L. (Hey wait, isn't she the one who sabotaged Jack S.!?!) still have all four teams remaining. Many others are all but officially eliminated with only one or two higher ranked teams left. While there has been plenty of slashing for those of you who have been able to actually print out the Picks Page, nobody is technically eliminated yet. When asked what he thought of the first round, first time contestant Donald T. (pictured above) had this to say, "I don't know why anybody thinks I lost any teams. I didn't say I wanted those teams they marked me down for. In fact, I am going to build a wall around the Extravaganza offices, and make them pay for it!". When showed his email requesting said teams, Donald T. again chimed in with, "I never said that! And that wall just got 10 feet higher!".

That's All I Need!

In the picture above, Kevin O. consoles his friend after she learned he used her money to enter the Extravaganza festivities... and lose three teams in the first round...and only has number 1 seeded Kansas left. Oy.

SCANDAL ROCKS THE 'GANZA! FAMILY ON THE BRINK!

This is Lisa L. and Jack S. in happier times


The 26th Annual Final Four Extravaganza was barely a few hours old before Scandal had once again reared it's ugly head. Jack S., the 2014 'Ganza Champion, accused his Mother, Lisa L. of destroying his chances of being the only 2-time champion under the age of 3.

"Look, I love her and everything but right now I'm pretty fucking pissed off," said the toddler. Jack S. claims that his pick from the West Region was Duke and not Baylor as was assigned to him. He blames a mis-transcription by Lisa L., Extravaganza Administrator. "Man, I picked Duke. That woman screwed it up, plain and simple. Check the timestamp of my father's email with my picks on it," Jack S. howled. As proof he submitted this screen grab.





When reached for comment Lisa L. had this to say, "Is it possible I made a mistake in posting Jack's picks to the website? Sure. But I had worked a long day and I had a freaking migraine while I was posting everyone's picks. You all are lucky you have any picks to look at period,"  Lisa S. said. "As for that little shit, he should be grateful. I brought him into this world, god damn it!"

Michael S., Extravaganza Co-Founder refused comment but was heard to mutter as he hurried away from  reporters, "If you think I'm commenting on this you're out of your fucking minds."

While no conclusions as to guilt can be drawn two things have become exceedingly apparent. Jack S. has been screwed and the S.-L. family is filled with foul-mouthed people.

Now, to other news:

Baylor, Seton Hall, Purdue and Arizona all lost, hurting quite a few Ganzans and leaving Lucy/Annabelle as all but eliminated. The girls are left with only 2 number 1 seeds, a disastrous position to be in after only one day. Newcomer Kells W. is also down to 2 teams, leaving him in a terrible predicament. He has some hope though as his remaining teams are Butler and Kentucky.

Here We Go!

This is Michael S. and Corey W. - The Extravaganza Organizing Committee


The 26th Annual Final Four Extravaganza is officially on and we, The Extravaganza Organizing Committee, would like to welcome you. This year we have 43 entries for a grand total of $2,150 and remember, that's Winner Take All!

At this point we'd like to announce one procedural change. We need the checks before the tournament is over. Any check that is not received by The Extravaganza Organizing Committee prior to the Final Game on Monday, April 4th will render that entry invalid, null and void.

Over the past quarter century we at the 'Ganza have grown exceedingly tired of tracking down, hounding and harassing people to get their payments in so we feel the need to institute this new policy. Our apologies to those of you who have grown accustomed to sending in your payments in May and sometimes June.

Good luck to everyone and may you all lose.

Well Everybody, We're Back. Woo freaking Hoo.

This is Ed L. He spent some of his winnings from last year on a new Doo.


We at the Extravaganza, enduring it's 26th year, do not feel our usual joy and anticipation for this year's tournament. This is partly due to the incompetence of Lorenzo Romar, coach of the University of Washington Huskies who under his stellar leadership are missing out on March Madness for the 5th straight season.

But mostly our depression is attributable to the presence in the 'Ganza field of that damn Ed L., last year's Extravaganza Champion. Ed has won this pool 3 times in the past 9 years and if you count the year he picked for his daughter Lisa L., it's 4 times in 12 years, a record unsurpassed in Extravaganza history.

So, you see there's very little reason for any of us to be excited. Ed L. may very well win again and even if he doesn't it's only a matter of time.

The question for us is, what should we do about this horrifying turn of events? Should we all work together in some "Anybody But Ed!" effort, conspiring to keep this man from besting us again? Should we find some arcane rule in the 'Ganza by laws enabling us to wrest the title away from him and award it to someone else of The Extravaganza Committee's choosing?

Or perhaps we should all just stop being whiny diaper babies and do what Ed has done:

Retire and spend all of his free time watching basketball.



As always the entry fee is $50. Get your picks in by 9pm PDT on Wednesday the 16th.