In addition to what many considered a misguided effort to honor straight plays with a montage of lines, last year's show at the last minute dropped the number from one of the nominated musicals, "It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues," because of time constraints.
In another maneuver, the studio sponsored three Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts, including one it picked up at a steep discount when 20th Century Fox at the last minute dropped plans to use it to plug "The A-Team".
And, although Andy Goode missed with a last minute drop-goal, Wasps finish second to keep their hopes alive.
Won by a last-minute drop goal from Charlie Hodgson.
He even broke Leicester hearts with a last-minute drop goal that echoed the treatment he meted out to the Australians in the 2003 World Cup final.
Leeds suffered a similar fate this year when, losing 25-24 to Hull, Sinfield's last-minute drop goal attempt was charged down.
Sexton's marksmanship is up there in the O'Gara class, although he has yet to develop the Munsterman's cruel streak when it comes to knocking over last-minute drop goals.
Jonny Wilkinson, the star of the England rugby team whose last-minute drop goal clinched the World Cup, earns about £250,000 ($432,600) a year from his club side in Newcastle.
Mr Thomas told the jury that the bulk of the fraud took place between 2003, when England lifted the Rugby World Cup after Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute drop kick, and 2005, when Liverpool FC recorded their fifth Champion's League victory.
In which case other recent team successes that loom large include the Rugby World Cup won by Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute drop kick in 2003 and the Lions Tour in 1997 that minted the touring legend for a new generation.
Captain Martin Johnson said the parade was "absolutely mind-blowing" and fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, whose last-minute drop kick gave England the final, said: "Being on this bus is one of the greatest moments of my life".
