The XFL's spectacular failure was a victory for authentic sports and a warning to the WWF and NBC, its founding partners, that even bloodsport fans have standards. They promised us smashmouth football; we got trashmouth football narrated by Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura and played by buffoons. Hooray for football fans who tackled this one for a loss.
Animated actors dominated the box office, Barry Bonds hit 73 and 'It' turned out to be a scooter. TIME picks the bests and the worsts of this year...