Game Plan

? MARVEL
At the stupidity of others ... as you watch ESPN Classic's That's a Bad Call marathon. On Sunday the old school network highlights some of history's worst calls and ownership decisions. Starting with the 1983 George Brett pine-tar incident, it examines gaffes by Don Denkinger, Harry Frazee and the Blazers, who passed on a guy named Jordan in the '84 draft. Happy holidays!

? TEST

The limits of your couch springs ... by settling in for the start of the 20-day bowl season. The meaningless fun kicks off with four games on Saturday, starting with the hallowed EagleBank Bowl (Navy vs. Wake Forest) at 11 a.m. and ending with the venerated Las Vegas Bowl (BYU vs. Arizona) at 8 p.m. (All are on ESPN or ESPN2.) The day should be required viewing for those against a D-I playoff.

? SEE

Death Race The economy is a mess, unemployment rages and violent competitions are pay-per-view hits. Sounds like the front page of today's paper, but it's the premise of this remake of the 1975 ultimate-race cult classic. Starring Jason Statham and the voice of David Carradine and out on DVD this week, it won't win an Oscar. But it will take your mind off the death race for the last Wii at Toys R Us.

? WATCH

Last game at Texas Stadium Don Meredith didn't play there—the Dallas QB retired in 1969, two years before the 'Boys moved into the joint with the hole in the roof—but his line applies: Turn out the lights, the party's over. On Saturday, Dallas bids farewell to the Stadium, against the Ravens. (The game airs on the NFL Network.) The Cowboys' new palace in Arlington opens next fall.

? ENDURE

A day without pro sports The NBA and NHL are dark on Christmas Eve. What to do? 1) Watch the Hawaii Bowl. 2) Remember Bob McAdoo; the Lakers' trade for him on Christmas Eve, 1981, helped them win two titles. 3) Mail cards to Stu Barnes, Larry Csonka, Rickey Henderson, Hideki Okajima, Ken Stabler, Manny Trillo and Marcus Trufant—Christmas babies all.

The Pop Culture Grid
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