"Is it Andy or is it Allison?" has been the hottest question among picks panel readers this year.

"It's both," picks panel administrator John Adams said with a smile as he pointed to the picks panel mug shot of WIVK's popular morning chatterboxes.

Adams explained that the photo is a composite of what Andy and Allison would look like if they were the same person.

"It was their idea," Adams said. "They think of themselves as a team.

"It's very refreshing in this me-first society to see celebrities downplay their individuality and emphasize teamwork."

Despite complaints from parents that the photo was scaring their children, Adams said he wouldn't change it.

"I think that would send an awful message," Adams said. "In the course of a lifetime, children and adults will see plenty of scary stuff. You can't just wave a magic wand and make it go away.

"It's a scary world. So face it and deal with it. If the Andy-Allison picture is the scariest thing your kid ever sees, count yourself lucky."

Adams said parents also have complained that Doug Anderson's picture is scaring their children but that he had no intention of changing it.

Former Picker Honored: Former News Sentinel picks panel member Nick Paranjape will be inducted into the National Picks Panel Hall of Fame during the National Picks Panel convention later this month in Knoxville.

"Who would have thought it?" picks panel administrator John Adams said. "Picks panel psychiatrist Dr. Julius Quackenstein always says, 'Most people finish like they start out.' But Nick is an exception to that rule.

"He was a colossal failure on our panel. And to be honest, I never expected to hear from him again."

After being booted off the Knoxville panel, Paranjape moved to Memphis, rededicated himself and became a championship picker. Paranjape has won three consecutive picks panel championships in Memphis and set a national record by going four consecutive weeks without missing a pick in 2002.

"It's really sweet being inducted into the hall of fame in Knoxville," Paranjape said in a telephone interview with News Sentinel reporter John Adams. "I remember all the pickers who laughed at me when I was kicked off the panel.

"Some of them are long gone. Others are barely hanging on."

Paranjape said his failure in Knoxville motivated him to succeed.

"I still remember Gary Lundy chanting 'Nick can't pick' the day I turned in my picks panel badge. Well, what's he ever won?"

Lundy has finished in the top five only once and has never won the coveted picks panel championship.

Boomtown: Picker Gloria Ray of the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corp. estimated that next month's National Picks Panel convention will have a $50 billion impact on the local economy. Only the national bowling tournament ($63 billion) had a greater financial impact on the community, according to Ray.

Closer Look: This week's Closer Look takes a closer look at Andy of Andy & Allison.

Did you know "Andy" isn't his real name? His real name is "Chris," but he's listed in the phone book under a third name, which I won't divulge. Hint: It's not "Allison."

Closer Look II: This week's second Closer Look takes a closer look at Allison of Andy & Allison.

Her real name is "Allison." But off-air, she pronounces it "A-llison" with the emphasis on the second syllable.

John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.