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Scott Mueller wins Times Oscar contest
By STEVE PERSALL
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 29, 2001
Don't feel bad. This year's St. Petersburg Times Oscar Contest champion didn't think Marcia Gay Harden would win Sunday night, either.
Choosing Kate Hudson as best supporting actress was the only mistake Scott Mueller, 35, of Largo made when he logged onto the Times Web site to enter the contest.
Another contestant also got 9 of the 10 predictions correct, but a random pick by computer broke the tie, making Mueller the winner.
For his efforts, the retired U.S. Navy sailor wins a 50-inch high definition-ready Zenith TV from Bill Burns TV Sales and Service in St. Petersburg, plus a 52-week pass to Blockbuster Video, good for one video per week.
Not exactly like winning an Academy Award, but not bad.
"It's a great day," Mueller said Tuesday when informed of his victory. "I've got hockey tickets for tonight and I'm getting a new TV, I guess."
Once again, Mueller guesses correctly.
Mueller didn't use any strategy with his selections: "Just made some picks, just instinct."
Colleen O'Neill of St. Petersburg was the other contestant with nine correct predictions. She leads this list of 22 runners-up, all of whom win 26-week Blockbuster Video passes and two tickets to any Muvico Theater:
O'Neill, Kelly Baltz, John Hixenbaugh, Michael Fellows, Roberta Whipple, Elaine Coffin, Anthony Dentici, John Whitmer Jr. (all of St. Petersburg); Mikel Masters, Michael Bates, Linda Willis, Arlene M. Berger, Pat Cunningham, Stacy Orloff (Clearwater); Florence Christie, Samm Simpson (Dunedin); Lewis Lorini (Bradenton); Bonnie Smith, Paola Pineyro, Angela Brammer (Largo); Suzanne Strassburler (Inverness); Kitty Moore (Pinellas Park).
Another 50 entrants were selected at random to receive official 73rd annual Academy Awards posters, which will be mailed out to them.
A total of 1,725 entries were received by mail, fax, Web ballots and hand deliveries.
For the record, only 81 contestants -- 5 percent -- thought Harden would win for Pollock.
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