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By TARA BURGHART, Associated Press Writer2 hours, 47 minutes ago The Maytag Repairman wasn't a lonely job for about 200 men who auditioned to wear the blue cap and uniform of the iconic television advertising character. During an open casting call Tuesday, a husky salesman sang "One Is the Loneliest Number" to an imaginary washer and dryer, then did a kick line. A hospital worker struggled to fit the cap over his dreadlocks. And a 20-something actor talked to an appliance — again, imaginary — like it was an underappreciated wife. Obviously, the next Maytag Repairman — always lonely, ostensibly because of the dependability of Maytag's appliances — could look a lot different from the somewhat older fellows with the hangdog expressions who have played the part in the past. Whirlpool Corp., based in Benton Harbor, Mich., bought Maytag of Newton, Iowa, last year, and company officials say finding a new repairman is part of plans to revitalize the Maytag brand. Since appearing on television in 1967, he has only been played by three actors. The contract of the current repairman, Hardy Rawls, is not being renewed. Whirlpool officials say they want the new repairman to be energetic, young at heart and outgoing. But he indeed has to be a man. America, it seems, is not yet ready for a repairwoman — at least according to their market research. "If you think of other advertising icons out there ... where is Ben Crocker? Where is Juanita Valdez? Where's the Pillsbury doughgirl?" said Jeffrey Davidoff, Maytag's vice president of brand marketing. "I think there is something that (consumers) see the repairman partially as a person, but really as a character. To be true to that character, one of the things we had to do was stick with a man," Davidoff said. The company held auditions last weekend in Los Angeles and has a casting call scheduled Friday in New York City. Applications also are being accepted by mail; the new repairman will be announced in March. At the Chicago auditions Tuesday, authentic Maytag repairmen — who either own stores or work at them — were perhaps only outnumbered by struggling actors. Scott Thompson, 44, has owned a Maytag store for eight years in Valparaiso, Ind. He said he has seen some changes since Whirlpool took over Maytag — he now places orders over the computer instead of the phone, for instance — but is hopeful the expanded product base will help his business. "It's new. I wouldn't say it's good or bad. It's just new," he said. Those making it to the final round of Tuesday's auditions got to don the brimmed, blue Maytag cap. They were videotaped talking to an imaginary Maytag appliance of their choosing, then had to deliver a line of dialogue in several different ways — one man channeled John Wayne, another tried "Taxi Driver"-era Robert de Niro. The auditions also drew a bus driver, a police officer, a stockbroker, a landlord, a construction worker — and a professional football player. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Sorgi backs up Peyton Manning, who has only missed one play because of injury in his nine-year NFL career. Speaking to the media during Super Bowl week in Miami, Sorgi joked that he would be a good Maytag Repairman, "the guy bored out of my mind waiting for something to do." On Tuesday, Sorgi attended the auditions as part of a promotional agreement with Whirlpool and went through the process like everyone else. In a pep talk delivered during his videotaped audition, Sorgi told an imaginary washer and dryer: "You're King Kong, baby, nobody can defeat you!" ___

why are golfers not subject to substance testing?

missed that one. can it be reasonably acquired? It's really a perfect Peterson record. The only one you need to have. $11.98 thanks!

my problems started first many years ago when i bought(without telling the little lady, of course) jarrett's massive sun bear vinyl set and continue to this day with the revenant ayler set. i do about as well with my music budget as congress with the national budget.

missed that one. can it be reasonably acquired?

If OP is the worst thing we can come up with, that's a heck of a lot better than Bush Jr., Kenny G and the pilot of the Enola Gay. the oscar trio(w/herb ellis)did an at-times smoking and often pretty date with bro. getz. the very ancient oscar trio +one clark terry is very palatable to these ears.

did i hear that MANY decades ago OP was playing very creative stuff in a club, for awhile till he got practical? that was long before i ever heard of him.

It's their Superbowl, so things get out of hand with the entertainment. Speaking of the Superbowl, the most bizarre commercial was the "Chevy" ad with a hip hop version of Sweet Home Alabama. I think NASCAR and it's advertisers are trying a bit too hard to cross over. All in all a good clean race until the last 50 laps or so. Someone needs to tell Kyle Busch that you can't win the race if you don't finish the race. chevy crossover is a bit heavyhanded. thanks for the reminder.

with the redman in preponderance, of course.

having spent an entire day listening to red garland, shirley scott, and wynton kelly(and still at it), i cant imagine a more pleasant listening experience. anyone agree?

They throw out more than they keep. Not necessarily dictated by the collection at hand. my town's otherwise excellent library got rid of all their vinyl several years ago and didnt copy it.

There's a thing called "your local library." Donate it. University libraries and music collections are also frequently in need of good stuff, especially jazz. hazen shumachers incredible collection ended up in europe, i hear.

yeah, but he sticks an unforgettable(to me) gem or two into every show.

Schwartz now programs XM's channel 73 "High Standards" He's got to be feeling pretty depressed today. i love quirky schwartz and his work and his music. he certainly knows the territory. i carch him on the wnyc stream saturday and sunday afternoons.

i believe that

norv is a great playcaller. this time last year you were lamenting the unfortunate injury to your starting QB, and things worked out swell. take heart! ... but rivera probably leading your defense is no bargain. troy aikman, who i respect more than any other analyst, is a very strong norv supporter.

the 'sisters' got rave compliments from my guests today, which i am not used to. when frank lowe, braxton, and evan parker, (and most of my others) are playing they either dont stay long or ask me to turn it down.

what projects do you have in mind? adroit as you and michael mosaic are, you should both be getting huge blank checks.

mine is $10/month

the worst part is the hic singers they are promoting doing the national anthem. i try to join after the anthem and generally miss the first few wrecks.

the facts are more important than the hype. i wouldnt have known. .......have read so much hype about 'unsung.' thanks guys, for saving my time.

'Personally, I believe the "fetishism" for "originals" has little to do with music. I am interested in music. Call me stupid.' i love music. i have never made a penny off 50 years of music i have collected nor do i want or need to, and when i die the stuff i love will probably go to the dump.

top of my list. was he as cool as his wonderful music?

how long before time warner swallows them(2), too? ahhh, TIMEXM

has any organist been so graceful and lyrical and swung so effortlessly? i probably only know of a dozen or so jazz organists, so my knowledge is very limited. however, i wish she would have made her career at the piano. i cant hear enough of her beautiful swinging touch. hearing shirley pianize embraceable you is a sumptuous delight.