Adams: PickspanelXtra.com offers plenty for price

"We're ecstatic about the response," Adams said. "Our goal for the first year was 5,000 and we've already exceeded that.

"But it's not surprising. This is a great picks panel town."

Adams said the site is only going to get better.

"You can already hear live interviews with our pickers. Pretty soon, you will be able to see them in their natural environment 24 hours a day.

"We'll have television cameras placed in the home of every picker. So you can check in anytime and see what they're up to."

Adams said a camera was placed in the home of Benny Adams as a test run.

"After reviewing the tape, family members were shocked to learn that Benny was actually awake for almost 20 minutes during the 10 hours they weren't home."

Readers Respond: Here's a sampling of our e-mails related to the new picks panel website, pickspanelXtra.com:

"I realize $900 a month might not be a lot to some people. But I'm on a fixed income, and I just can't afford it.

"The picks panel Web site used to be free. One of the best things I've ever read anywhere was the feature on Tina Wesson and the behind-the-scenes stuff that happened on "Survivor." Why did the picks panel get so greedy?"

Another e-mailer wrote: "Thanks so much for offering the newly enhanced Web site. At $900 a month, it's a bargain.

"I especially love the good-grooming section, where pickers Steve Phillips, Jim Wogan and Rick Russo provide insight on hairstyling and makeup."

Picks Panel Response: "We're obviously thrilled about our new site," picks panel administrator John Adams said. "But we regret that some people can't afford the minimal charge.

"People who complain about the small fee probably would benefit from taking a look at their overall budget. Perhaps they're paying too much for such frills as housing, food and transportation.

"If you're complaining about paying a few hundred dollars for a picks panel Web site, you've obviously got problems elsewhere. Think about it. Do you really need all that floor space? Or two cars?

No Credit Card?: No problem.

If you don't have a credit card, you still can subscribe to pickspanelXtra.com, according to picks panel administrator John Adams.

Just send a check for $13,000 to John Adams, Picks Panel Headquarters, P.O. Box 59038, Knoxville, Tenn., 37950-9038. Make the check out to John Adams.

The $13,000 will cover the minimal annual subscription fee of $10,800, plus handling charges.

Penalty Points: Next week's standings will reflect penalty points assessed to pickers who have been late with their picks. Pickers had the option of admitting their tardiness and accepting a three-point penalty. Otherwise, they will be assessed a penalty point for every hour they were late.

Closer Look: This week's Closer Look takes a closer look at veteran picker Benny Adams, who was shown on camera for three consecutive days as a test run for a new pickspanelXtra.com feature.

The 72-hour video showed that Benny slept for 68 hours. The rest of the time, he just lay around the house.

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