Showtime

2006

Once there was sports and there was entertainment, and, aside from The White Shadow or the occasional chat between Muhammad Ali and Johnny Carson, the twain rarely met. Things are different now. Sports is entertainment--ask Emmitt Smith--and the crossover happens in every medium. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't--and sometimes the NFL's alltime leading rusher becomes prime time's lord of the dance. This was a year worth reconsidering.

THE YEAR
1/4 >> BCS TITLE GAME IS TOP-RATED COLLEGE GAME SINCE 1987 2/5 >> SUPER BOWL XL GETS BEST RATINGS IN 10 YEARS

GIFT GUIDE

Looking for the perfect gift for a sports fan? Jimmy Traina gives you a complete guide in his blog at SI.com/scorecard.