Big blue party machine

Our second night of Comdex party prowling proved one thing: All soirees are not created equal. IBM cranked up its military-industrial party machine once again with a lavish display of decadence at Bally's. But, before joining IBM at its event for international customers, we sauntered over to a low-key affair, a Monday Night Football party thrown by Luckman Interactive at the MGM Grand.

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Apropos of football, Luckman had Willie Gault, 11-year NFL wide receiver, Olympic hurdler, and erstwhile ballet dancer, acting as emcee for its party. Sporting a Super Bowl ring the size of a doorknob, Gault gave CNET his views on the Net as though he were telling Brent Musberger about a complicated touchdown pattern. Luck was with us at the Luckman bash, though: We won a regulation-size football in a lottery and had Willie autograph it.

Pigskin aside, it was a cramped, hot, and loud event. At least 30 people and a big-screen TV jammed into a hotel suite meant for ten. People snacked elbow to elbow on mushrooms stuffed with snails and cabbage stuffed with mystery meat; the room buzzed with the sounds of Al, Frank, and Dan doing the play-by-play.

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Door-bunny cheerleaders with cursive Ls stitched to their sweaters--reminiscent of Laverne and Shirley--bid us farewell as we headed for the elevators, but not before Willie gave us a critical prediction.