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Our weekly dispatch from the nation's foremost mustache expert.

This past weekend, the World Beard & Mustache Championships took place in Anchorage, Alaska. Held every two years, participants are one part Unabomber, one part Rollie Fingers and one part Dr. Seuss. For the first time in history, a German contestant failed to take home most of the trophies, as American David Traver (pictured here) was crowned overall champ.

World Beard and Moustache Championships

    The Australian delegation takes part in a parade kicking off the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, May 22, 2009. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

    AP

    Stewart Eastman of New Orleans, La., shades himself with an umbrella in a downtown park before the start of a parade kicking off the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, May 22, 2009. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

    AP

    Lutz Giasa, left, and Karl-Heinz Hiller, both of Berlin, Germany, are shown in a downtown Anchorage, Alaska, park before the start of a parade kicking off the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, May 22, 2009. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

    AP

    Dick Lacey, left, and Jake Craig, both of London, grab a snack before a parade starts at the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, May 22, 2009. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

    AP

    Xavier Lozano Carreras, from Barcelona Spain, right, and Mark Adams, from Atlanta, Ga. attend a World Beard and Moustache meeting in Anchorage, Alaska before the start 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, May 22, 2009. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

    AP

    Ted Sedman from England, center, twirls his mustache during a World Beard and Moustache meeting before the start 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska Friday, May 22, 2009. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. Andy Lear from England is to the right. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

    AP

    John Powell, from Mt. Vernon Ind., takes a photo of some of his fellow contestants before the start 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska Friday, May 22, 2009. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

    AP

    Feras Afani, of Seattle, Wash.., left, BJ DeLorenzo of New York, and John Price, of Atlanta Ga. joke around before the start 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska Friday, May 22, 2009. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

    AP

    Xavier Lozano Carreras, from Barcelona Spain, right, and Mark Adams, from Atlanta, Ga. attend a World Beard and Moustache meeting in Anchorage, Alaska before the start 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Anchorage, Alaska Friday, May 22, 2009. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

    AP

    In this Thursday, May 14, 2009 photo, John Dahlen, back, Tim Slade, left, Jonathan Galin and Neal Haglund, who will compete in the upcoming 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships coming to Anchorage, display their beards and moustaches in Anchorage, Alaska. More than 200 competitors from 12 countries, including Germany and Austria, will compete in the event hosted by the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

    AP



Read more mustache observations from Dr. Froman after the jump.

Sadly, however, the heels of the most glorious gathering of labia sebuculas (Latin for "lip sweater") comes news that NBC is canceling "My Name Is Earl," currently the only network television program featuring a mustached American. This is reminiscent of when Walter Cronkite left CBS in 1981, beginning a hasty exit for mustached American anchormen everywhere.

When the next mustached leading man will appear, we do not know. But we can only pray that somewhere, a network executive is looking for the next big flavor-saving star to demonstrate the power, intellect and good looks of our people. Perhaps Mr. David Traver is the man to take up that mantle.

For Dr. Abraham J. Froman's mustache perspective, check in every Wednesday on Asylum.