SkimIt
I tried so hard to avoid this one, I really did. Everyone is expecting the predictable ones: I tried Jeremy Lin, but a real life success story about an under-appreciated kid sleeping on his brother's couch finally getting the recognition he deserves would make a better '90s movie than dramatic reality TV show. Tiger Woods? There is a certain point when someone's dignity just has to break in -- that, and I'm tired of Ambien jokes.
But the predictable Tim Tebow reality show just has to be done. Not for his breakout season, not for his outspoken Christian faith (is this seriously something people still have a problem with in professional sports?), not even for the dramatic post-season loss to the Patriots. The wake of the biggest NFL off season trade has situational television gold written all over it, with Tebow being shipped off to the New York Jets after The Denver Broncos picked up Peyton Manning. Think about it: you now have ESPN and all of Middle America's favorite scandal-free athlete moving to the biggest city in the country, learning a new offense and possibly losing his starting role. But can you imagine the television gold that would come from off the field? Just follow the guy walking into a corner bistro with his big innocent grin on his face, bumping into a Joe Pesci clone on his way out, dwarfed by towering buildings and a beautiful hearkening back to the stuff the classic Knicks vs. Pacers rivalry was made up of in the early '90s. Whatever lack of racy drama this story holds is made up for by the inherent ability for the episodes to write themselves.
Tim Tebow (AP)
