It’s time for the next installment in the “Harry Potter” series, which means the high-flying broomball-like game Quidditch will be all the rage. Fun and dangerous, it’s one of the best made-up sports in all of entertainment. But is it the best ever? Here are the contenders:
Movies
– “Mr. Mom:” When Michael Keaton and his wife’s boss, Martin Mull, square off at the company picnic Olympics, you learn that tricycles aren’t just for kids.
– “Jumanji:” It’s not just a movie about a game, it’s a game about a movie.
– “The Running Man:” A story of a futuristic reality TV show where villains track down and kill prisoners with death sentences. Obviously, it aired on cable.
– “Tron:” The Olympics need new events? Here’s the superfuture pentathlon: Bike races (avoid the tanks!), discus-dodging and then jai-alai meets pong. And just like Vegas, never bet on red.
– “Fight Club:” You know the first rule. The second rule? Nice try, sneaky bastard.
– “Star Wars:” Chess is boring, but chess with hologram creatures is amazing. Just a suggestion: Always let the Wookiee win.
– “Star Wars: Episode 1:” The pod race (below) is Rollerball meets NASCAR.
– “Baseketball:” We never quite understood it. But the kids love it, so, you know.
TV shows
– “Battlestar Galactica:” If you ever pick teams for the handball/basketball hybrid Triad, choose Apollo. The man’s got game.
– “Futurama:” Blurnsball pops up in Matt Groening’s other show. Like baseball and includes a special appearance by Bob Uecker.
– “Seinfeld:” The Contest. ‘Nuff said.
Our grand champion fake sport
– Calvin & Hobbes: Calvinball (above). Greatest. Game. Ever. And never to be repeated. It’s a rule.
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Edited by the sports staff of RedEye.
