Last month I invited viewers to dream up the ultimate ridiculous Steelers story. Here's the best of what they suggested:

* "Attention all Steelers fans: On all three stations there will be a special bulletin about one of your special Steelers. We can't tell you the number on his jersey, but it is below 100. We can tell you that he is definitely a defensive or an offensive starter. Dr. Tellitall will also be on to elaborate on this serious case of terminal hangnail. School closings due to snow will follow ..."

-- Randy, Plum

* Of course, all anchors should wear Steelers lapel pins. Clothing should be black and gold. The sets should all be black and gold, also.

The local channels should present ALL news that does not deal directly with the Steelers as if it did. For example, if the weather is going to be bad, will the game be affected? Will any Steelers get wet? Or cold? Will a Steelers car get stuck on a snowy road? Will all of the Steelers have enough milk and toilet paper to weather the storm?

If a house burns down, was it a Steelers house?

If there is a robbery, was a Steeler robbed?

And if not, is it really news?

-- Bruce, Ingram

* I think absurd, fluffy local news could extend to visiting some local bars and hot spots and interviewing some prospects for Steeler cheerleaders.

-- Dave, Collier

* God help us all if the Steelers make the Super Bowl. Come to think about it, if God himself decided to visit "Steeler Country" on Super Bowl Sunday, would the media find time to interview him?

-- Bob, Ross

Are we sure this next one hasn't been done already?

* The Pampered Pets of the Steelers.

-- Janine, Robinson

* "We're live as Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu brush their teeth! See what toothpaste two out of three Steelers prefer coming up at 5!"

-- Heather, Penn Hills

The hairstyles and grooming of the Steelers were often cited in story ideas:

* How about a film clip showing Troy Polamalu giving Ben Roethlisberger a haircut? That would be ironic.

Kicker Jeff Reed out shopping for street shoes.

-- Dick, Bethel Park

* "Doin' the 'Do with Polamalu": Hire Pittsburgh's most trendy hair salon to create a new 'do for Troy every week of the regular season. Then, at the end of the regular season, fans can vote to have their favorite styles, which will make return appearances in playoff games!

-- Brandon, Wexford

* My idea for next big story is players getting dandruff from wearing helmets.

-- William, South Park

* How about a report on what kind of ointment they players use to keep their skin soft and supple during those hard times of the season.

-- Jim, Wilkins

Scatological humor also proved popular:

* "Steeler hemorrhoids: Who's got 'em, and what they're doin' about it. What you've been 'itching' to find out. Right after these messages ..."

-- Richard and Cecily, Pittsburgh

* "Ben Roethlisberger hospitalized for gas attack. Steelers nation holds its breath."

-- John, Munhall

Local TV layoffs

As TV stations around the country continue to pink-slip anchors and reporters, so far Pittsburgh outlets are making cuts more likely to involve behind-the-scenes personnel.

WPXI eliminated three positions resulting in layoffs in the past couple of weeks. All three positions were behind the scenes, according to general manager Ray Carter, who said he has had to lay off more employees in other years during his seven-year tenure at Channel 11.

"Because we're a privately held company, we're not under the same pressures to fire a certain amount of people. I don't have a list that's been given to me that says, 'Lay this many people off,' " Carter said. "It's painful nonetheless to lose these three employees."

Carter said retirements will be closely scrutinized before vacated positions are filled. No decision has been made on whether or how to fill the position of reporter Andy Gastmeyer, who retires next week.

WTAE executives were unwilling to comment specifically about buyouts/layoffs at Channel 4, but I've heard for the past week or two that they are happening.

Former WTAE news director Tom Petner, now the editor of the TV industry newsletter ShopTalk, reported this week that Channel 4 has offered about a dozen employees "layoff incentives," whatever those are.

"There are people leaving the face of television stations all over the country and we may not be totally immune from that," Channel 4 general manager Rick Henry said, "although at this time I can't give you any specifics."

KDKA had about a dozen layoffs early this year but none since.

Erdos leaves WPXI

Completely unrelated to any layoffs, WPXI weekend anchor Stacia Erdos has left Channel 11 to pursue a political career in Ohio.

Erdos is a finalist for an appointment to replace the vacant state senate seat in the 33rd district (including Youngstown and surrounding areas), vacated when John Boccieri was elected to the U.S. Congress last month.

Erdos, a former news anchor in Youngstown, continued to live in North Lima, Ohio, and commute to Pittsburgh for work after she started working at WPXI 10 years ago this month.

"I feel like I've been doing public service the last 20 years, but I was inspired by this election and I didn't want to be reporting from the sideline," Erdos said. "I wanted to be taking part in the process and be part of the policy making where I live in this part of Ohio."

Erdos spent eight years on TV in Youngstown as an evening and late news anchor at WYTV, so she has name recognition going for her if she gets the appointment and has to run to retain the spot in two years. Six candidates applied for the position and the Democratic caucus of the Ohio state senate will make its pick next week.

WPXI news director Corrie Harding said he took Erdos off the air two weeks ago when substantive discussions began between her and political officials in Ohio. If she is not appointed, Erdos said she's likely to continue in some sort of public service career.

WTAE's telethon

This year's WTAE "Project Bundle-Up Telethon," hosted by Joe DeNardo, will air at 7 tonight. Meteorologist Stephen Cropper and news anchor Michelle Wright will also participate in the hour-long program.