Chicago's know-it-alls // Our experts are full of riches when it come to their niches

In a recent television commercial, the son of popcorn tycoon OrvilleRedenbacher shared his octogenarian father's secret to success inlife.

Do one thing, and do it the best.

Orville, the son implied, had made a wise choice. He became anexpert. An expert in popcorn. The rest is delicious history.

Expertise doesn't always pop so fluffy, but it's usuallyimpressive - and entertaining - to observe. Make a handkerchiefdisappear and you'll receive polite applause. Wax poetic on thestoried history …