51.   Sassa, who replaced Littlefield in October, takes the reins of NBC Entertainment at a challenging time.

52.   Robert A. von Pentz, president of Columbia Partners, has taken the reins of Quantitative Numeric and Numeric II from John Bogle Jr., who left the firm.

53.   Silber, it seems, is having second thoughts about taking the reins of the Massachusetts Board of Education.

54.   Since Alain Levy took the reins of EMI in October he has dropped artists like Mariah Carey and reorganized management.

55.   Steven J. Buller, an equity analyst, took the reins of Select Environmental Services from Robert D. Ewing, who stays with Select Energy Service.

56.   Sophomore Romaro Miller is set to take the reins from Patridge, who surprised Tuberville by winning the job over the highly touted former Parade prep All-American.

57.   Still, Pearl Jam management is pleased that Law is taking the reins to his own ticketing.

58.   Steve Martin takes the reins as master of ceremonies, replacing Billy Crystal, who has hosted seven of the past eight Oscar shows.

59.   The bands will play that old jaunty tune when George W. Bush takes the reins of government, and its psychological impact should not be ignored.

60.   The biggest change for OU this season is at quarterback, where Nate Hybl takes the reins for the first time.