Ultraserious

Positioning themselves as an antidote to the ultraserious major leagues -- and its big-league problems like labor relations and huge salaries -- the minor leagues '176 teams hosted nearly 40 million fans last year, breaking the record set in 1949. ❋ Unknown (2007)

She knew Dixon was just playing with Weiss by affecting the ultraserious tone. ❋ Paul Ruditis (2006)

The image of the Enterprise was replaced by the familiar, but now ultraserious, face of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, seated in his command chair. ❋ John S. Drew (2005)

When a male editor friend of mine wanted an ultraserious 20-something reporter to sound more lively on radio, he gave her his "miniskirt and makeup" lecture - urging her to write her scripts as if she were wearing a miniskirt and makeup. ❋ By ELAINE SCIOLINO (2011)

In just over a year, Ice was out of the spotlight, replaced by darker, ultraserious acts such as ❋ Unknown (2009)

After years of playing ultraserious characters, the actor had finally found an opportunity to let his hair down. ❋ Unknown (2008)

“Don’t promise that,” he said in an ultraserious voice. ❋ Jeri Smith-Ready (2010)