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The Gus Story continues ... Seems people just can't get enough of the Pennsylvania Lottery's robotic groundhog, whose creators at Marc USA in Pittsburgh have won a contract renewal worth up to $200 million over seven years. When we called the agency for a few details, Steve Smith, who oversees lottery advertising for the ad agency, told us all kinds of curious details about the spokesrodent but declined to tell us who does his voice:

"We make a policy of not talking about the talent we put into our advertising."

OK. Let the Lottery have that secret.

Smith and spokeswoman Chris Stambaugh went on to say Gus actually has groupies. "He gets letters. He gets emails," Smith said, adding that people write Gus with tongues firmly in cheek. "It's amazing how popular he is."

Stambaugh said about one or two people per week seek out the spokesrodent. Some have asked for and gotten autographed pictures (signed by Stambaugh?). "Gus groupies, I guess we can call them. I actually respond on his behalf."

Actually, like Lassie and Kermit, there is more than one Gus. Smith said the agency upgraded the animatronic creature (like the ones in Disney World) to give him more realistic mouth and hand movements. "It's got motors inside to help make it move," Smith said. But the original Gus did return to the television airwaves dressed in drag to play Mother Gus. Smith wouldn't rule out the possibility of the appearance of more Gus relatives.

- Jonathan Berr