This year, in one of the most disappointing competitions since 1984, when the dunk contest began, there was barely a buzz.
Endowment income is down; proceeds from once-popular benefit events are falling short of objectives; foundation and corporate support is disappointing; and competition for government grants is tighter.
The bookies certainly think so – Blue and Jedward are among the top five favourites to win – and there are strong hopes that, after a disappointing 2010 competition, the unlikely entries will bring a turnaround in fortunes.
Krog, 26, had a disappointing ski jump competition where he came 20th, meaning he started 63 seconds behind Frenzel, but raced well to take the bronze medal.
Yet his career has also been interrupted by injury and questionable decisions, rendering his attempts to represent the United States in international competitions disappointing and unfulfilled.
Comments 173 entries, no mistakes: a bit disappointing for a Christmas competition.
China is expected to maintain stiff barriers around many leading industries, but the market for most consumer goods and services is already remarkably open -- so much so that profits are often disappointing because of rabid competition.
Manchester United assistant boss Mike Phelan feels the team reaching the last 16 of the Champions League as Group H winners with two games to spare has provided just the response Red Devils supporters were looking for following last season's disappointing performance in the competition.
But last year's competition was disappointing for the French: the highly acclaimed "Of Gods and Men," which won the Grand Prix at Cannes, failed even to make the shortlist, while an Algerian film set in France and spoken largely in French, "Outside the Law," was one of the five finalists.
They hope to improve on disappointing performances in the competition in recent seasons.
