Tonight, the public gets to see Lance Armstrong come clean to his confessor, Oprah Winfrey.

It’ll be a highly orchestrated affair. Well be treated to the obligatory video montage, chronicling the cyclist’s rise and fall- all that’s led to this defining moment.

Armstrong will appear contrite, Winfrey mesmerized (her word). Beyond his simple admission of guilt (and having to fill out the air time), I’d hazard a guess Armstrong will attempt to qualify his misdeeds as an inability to quell his fierce competitive drive amidst a sport in which everyone was doping. Winfrey will question whether he feels his transgressions and denials are a betrayal of his charity and all those who believed in him.

A tear may be shed in close-up.

Winfrey will see a boost in her ratings, Armstrong is hoping for apologists.

He may not get them. There have been too many denials, too much arrogance, too much time passed. Too little, too late.

Even if this public relations ploy works and Armstrong’s image is somewhat softened, he’ll still need to get used to the fact that he’ll be known historically as the biggest cheat in sports history.

Barry Bonds sends his thanks.