the 4th star

Usually I just pick teams out of a hat (you didn’t know‚ sorry). This time I’ve decided to poll the vast Manitoba celebrity community. OK. It’s not that vast. But lucky for us there are only 11 National Football League post season games to cover. Shouldn’t be that hard to find 11 people, should it? We will see, I guess. Please note: On the off-chance these people don’t reply to the pick requests that I probably won’t get around to sending them in the first place, these selections (or responses) may not actually be from them. The underdog Jets are featured in our next contest. Who better to tell the story than Guy Maddin? In an exclusive interview, I caught up with Maddin at his home near the village, reading the script from his favourite movie as he kills time before the game…

New York Jets (9-7) at Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
Sunday, 2 p.m. on CBS
Previous meeting: Jets‚
Jets road record: 5-3
Colts home record: 7-1
The spread: Jets +7.5
The money line: Jets +270
The over/under: 40 points

INT. MANHATTAN MUSEUM OF ART – SECURITY DESK – DAY
The Ghostbusters commercial is playing on a portable TV on the security desk. Rudy, the Security Guard, is reading a National Enquirer with a giant front-page headline: GHOSTBUSTERS SAVE JUDGE. Venkman enters.

VENKMAN
I’m looking for Dana Barrett.

SECURITY GUARD
Room 304 — Restorations.
(recognizing him)
Hey! Dr. Venkman — ‘World of the Psychic.’ I’m a big, big fan. That used to be one of my two favourite shows.

VENKMAN
(flattered)
Thanks. What’s the other one?

SECURITY GUARD
‘Bass Masters.’ It’s a fishing show. Ever see it?

VENKMAN
Yeah, really great. Take it easy.

Venkman exits.

——-

Wazoo: Guy, you got a second?

Maddin: No. I’m watching Ghostbusters 2 right now.

Wazoo: You watch movies by reading the script? That’s a little —

Maddin looks down at his papers. I take a seat in the wicker chair next to the coffee table, which is in front of the couch that Maddin is on. The silence is delicious. Maddin reaches down for his glass of red. He accidentally tips it, but it doesn’t completely fall. I point out to Maddin that a small amount of wine has spilled. He sighs, looks to the ceiling and suggests that drink stained in the hardwood will ultimately be his legacy.

Maddin: Let this wine be a reminder to never trust anyone.

Wazoo: What are you talking about?

Maddin jumps back into Ghostbusters 2. Harold Ramis and Bill Murray have crossed the steams and have taken his full attention. As the noted film-maker chuckles at the sharp character contrast in the disappointing sequel, I think about whether he’ll take the Colts — given his penchant for frozen horse heads in the river ice. I scan the coffee table for something to read. Newspapers, magazines and forgotten scripts make up the mess. Next to those, an empty bag of Bits & Bites, two small packages of Nibs, and a half-litre of Coke Zero. Crumbs from various snack foods sprinkle the pile of paper and empty calories. Off to the side, however, sit a few sheets of crisp, white office letterhead. A closer look reveals printed off e-mail correspondence. I turn my head slightly to catch a word or two. A name would be even better. Maddin watches me through his movie pages. I’m busted.

Maddin: Love letters from Roger Ebert. I wish he’d just leave me alone.

Wild Card #1
Wild Card #2
Wild Card #3
Wild Card #4
Divisional #5
Divisional #6
Divisional #7
Divisional #8
Conference #9