Ring has readers wondering: Did Dennis Douda get hitched?

Oh, what panic there is in the eyes and e-mails of WCCO-TV viewers interested in all things Dennis Douda.

Nov. 25: "I noticed that Dennis Douda is wearing a ring on his left hand. Did he recently get married? Mary."

Dec. 1: "I'm a HUGE fan -- read your column like it's my job. Quick question for you. Did Dennis Douda get married? I have noticed that lately he's been wearing a ring on his left ring finger. Annnd someone told me (not that I'm judging, I don't even know if it's true) that his girlfriend is like twenty-two. Anyway, just wondering. Thanks. And take care! Meg."

Dec. 28: "Did Dennis Douda get married? Em from Rochester."

Those are just the e-mails I kept and I've gotten a bunch of telephone calls from inquiring minds. Believe it or not, I jumped right on this one back in October, after about my third e-mail on the matter of the divorced weekend anchor's ring situation.

"No, I'm not married," Douda told me via voice mail. "I have a ring from my girlfriend. And it means a lot to me. Talk to you later."

I've been playing phone tag with Douda -- not telling him why I am calling -- in the hope that if I am patient enough eventually I'll get a name to go along with the ring.

"She's in her 30s," Douda quickly volunteered. Still, no name. "She's very private," although he underscored that the ring is "symbolic of something special. But I am not married."

Sometimes, Douda explained, he's ringless because when the temperature dips, the jewelry slips off his finger and into his glove.

A chillin' ex-Viking After getting dive-bombed by some Eagles, the Vikings are now free to zone out like former practice squad member Dee McCann.

A few months ago, McCann, a cornerback, got cut by the Vikings. He was easily the most rested member of the Vikings family I've ever seen at Winter Park. As you can see at startribune.com/video, McCann mastered the art of chillin' in a cramped space. I've been waiting for McCann to resurface with another club; a Vikings official told me that Dee is probably out of the NFL right now. If not, correct the record for me, McCann, after you've finished your nap, of course.

Mugs for the ages Lovely mug shot, Sam.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author, playwright, actor and former Minnesota resident, with longtime companion Jessica Lange, Shepard got picked up initially for speeding in Normal, Ill. He told police he had been at a downtown Bloomington bar before heading back to his hotel.

Not nearly as interestingly X-rated as Charles Barkley's explanation during his Arizona DWI, but at least Shepard's excuse won't get him kicked out of the house. Mrs. Barkley -- if there still is a Mrs. Barkley -- should have already rolled contents of the Round Mound's closet out to the curb.

Glittering Marie Green Gittelson Jewelers' owner knows how to market his merchandise.

I heard that Gene Gittelson had dinner over the holidays at Manny's Steakhouse with the wife of Dennis Green, former Vikings coach and great Gittelson customer.

Gittelson confirmed that he had dinner with "Marie Green and her mother, Gail Law, and her [Marie's and Denny's] daughter, Vanessa; she's going to be 12 in February. Marie looked great," said Gittelson, adding, "She had all my jewelry on! I told her to wear everything!"