Comic Rita Rudner wins Sun contest

Friday, Jan. 2, 2004 | 10:34 a.m.

Rita Rudner had to feel a little like the Green Bay Packers last weekend.

Rudner, the comic headliner at New York-New York, was in fifth place heading into the final weekend of Sal's Celebrity Selectors pro football prognosticating contest.

By correctly selecting the Falcons and Chargers to win, and the Broncos and Packers game to stay under 43 points, Rudner posted a 3-0 weekend to finish the season at 30-21.

But, as Green Bay needed Arizona's miracle comeback over Minnesota to reach the postseason, Rudner needed help -- specifically, the four contestants with better records to struggle.

All four -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, KLAS-TV meteorologist Kevin Janison, Stardust headliner Wayne Newton and Rio magicians Penn & Teller -- went 1-2 against the spread on Sunday, allowing Rudner to win the contest.

Goodman finished second, with Janison and Penn & Teller tying for third. Each had 29 wins. Goodman placed second with an additional tie against the spread.

Rudner will be awarded the Golden Nerf traveling trophy, won in previous years by Monte Carlo master magician Lance Burton and Harrah's headliner Clint Holmes.