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Given that television is blamed for ills ranging from youth violence to undermining civil discourse (think South Park), it's nice to stumble across a brighter side of youth and TV. Check out the X Games on all-sport ESPN or, over the weekend, on ABC. The two networks are broadcasting 28 hours of the fifth annual festival of alternative sports from San Francisco. The X Games (for Generation X; get it?) are not your usual sports - and actually can be more visually enthralling than the bash and grunt of football, or the slooooowwww ballet of baseball.

Superjocks Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson and Wayne Gretzky will be on the same team if plans for a new animated series take off, according to an industry publication. Representatives of the athletes are planning a weekly cartoon called "The Super Stars," and have approached ESPN to carry the weekly series, which could be launched as soon as next spring, Advertising Age reported in its May 14 issue. In the cartoon, the three athletes would be portrayed as superheroes, traveling the globe and spreading anti-drug and other moral messages to youngsters, a source familiar with the project told Ad Age. Though it would be a departure from the cable network's predominantly live sports format aimed primarily at male viewers, it would enable the network to attract advertisers that target younger audiences, the magazine said.

Have an extra supply of earplugs handy: Dick Vitale has signed a new contract with ESPN that will keep him blaring on the air through 2000. Vitale called his career with ESPN "a fantasy. " "I did the first game in 1979, De Paul at Wisconsin," he said yesterday. "I had just gotten fired (as the Detroit Pistons' coach) and didn't know where my career was going. "When this (contract) is completed, I'll be 60. I act about 12. I hope I keep that (enthusiasm). " During a conference call, I asked Vitale if he is concerned about his friend, Bob Knight.

THE WIFE of fired Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine claimed Wednesday that ESPN maliciously trampled her reputation by broadcasting salacious stories about her and about claims that her husband molested ball boys. Laurie Fine held a news conference and threatened to file a libel lawsuit in federal court against the cable network and two employees. ESPN in November broke the story of two former Syracuse ball boys, Robert Davis and Michael Lang, who claimed they were molested by Bernie Fine decades ago. "I'm here today as a wife and a mother who has had to endure the trauma of being smeared in the public as a monster," she said, reading quickly from a statement.

The life of racing great Dale Earnhardt will be the subject of a made-for-TV movie produced by ESPN. The movie, "3: The Dale Earnhardt Story," is to air late this summer. Earnhardt died after crashing during the final lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001. This will be the third original movie by ESPN, following projects on basketball coach Bob Knight and football coach Bear Bryant. Philly File Villanova freshman guard Mike Nardi was named Big East rookie of the week after scoring 24 points in both Wildcats wins.

ESPN has handed commentator Rob Parker a 30-day suspension for questioning Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III's "blackness. " The network announced the suspension Thursday, a day after Parker apologized for comments he made during the Dec. 13 episode of ESPN's First Take . Parker, who is black, was discussing Griffin's role as an African American quarterback when he took exception to the rookie's engagement to a white woman and to rumors...

Sunday is the biggest day of the year for draftniks. For the 12th consecutive year, ESPN is televising the NFL draft live from the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan. ESPN will be on the air from noon to 6:30 p.m. Chris Berman will be the host, supported by Tom Jackson, Joe Theismann and Mel Kiper. At another set, Mike Gottfried and Fred Edelstein will join Robin Roberts. Kiper's top five forecast is: wide receiver Raghib Ismail and cornerback Todd Lyght, from Notre Dame; defensive lineman Russell Maryland, Miami; wide receiver Alvin Harper, Tennessee; and running back Nick Bell, Iowa.

ESPN has apologized for using a racial slur in a headline for a story on Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin. ESPN ran the headline "Chink in the Armor" after Lin had nine turnovers in New York's loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night on its mobile website. Lin is the NBA's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent. He has captivated sports fans with unexpected dominance on the court that sparked a seven-game winning streak. ESPN apologized Saturday and said it was conducting a review of editorial procedures.

ESPN's reality television program "Sidelines" has been too real for Texas A & M officials and a bit of a disappointment to some of the players. Texas A & M officials gave the cable sports network total access to its football facilities for a 13-episode series dealing with the lives of those involved with the school's football program. But three weeks into the program that airs on Thursday nights, A & M officials have complained about several scenes depicted, including one at a College Station bar. "We've been led to believe there will be some changes," coach R.C. Slocum said yesterday.

ESPN has spoiled us. Distinguishing itself many times with its work, ESPN has raised the bar. Sports fans expect excellence from the cable network. However, its handling of the alleged Eric Lindros "bite" was disappointing. On "SportsCenter" after the Nov. 20 game, ESPN showed slow-motion tapes of Lindros scuffling face-to-face with San Jose's Marty McSorley. Suddenly, McSorley's head snapped back. Accompanying the tape were remarks suggesting Lindros was hungry because he must have skipped lunch.

The Southeastern Conference and ESPN on Thursday announced a 20-year agreement to operate an SEC network that is scheduled to debut in August 2014. SEC commissioner Mike Slive said the SEC network will produce 1,000 live events each year, including 450 televised on the network and 550 distributed digitally. Slive says the network will carry approximately 45 SEC football games each year "and a depth of content across all sports. " No financial terms were released for the deal, which continues through 2034.

WES WELKER sure knows how to pick his quarterbacks. The star receiver, Tom Brady's favorite target, is leaving New England and heading to Denver, where he'll join Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Also getting new deals were Reggie Bush in Detroit, Dashon Goldson in Tampa Bay, and even Ray Lewis - with ESPN. Day 2 of the NFL's free-agency frenzy was highlighted by Welker grabbing a 2-year deal with the Broncos, who had the AFC's best regular-season record last year. He gives Manning one of the steadiest targets the four-time league MVP ever has had. Broncos boss John Elway said on Twitter: "Excited to have Wes join the Broncos.

Top Choice Syracuse at Georgetown, Saturday at noon, ESPN: The archrivals meet for the last time in the regular season as members of the Big East with a lot at stake. The Hoyas, who saw their 11-game winning streak snapped Wednesday by Villanova, still have a shot at the conference's regular-season championship. Meanwhile, the Orange hope to beat out Notre Dame and Pittsburgh and grab a bye through to the Big East tournament quarterfinals. Starting Five Florida at Kentucky, Saturday at noon, CBS3: Unless they can mount a surprising run in the SEC tournament, the Wildcats could be facing their last chance to return to the NCAA tournament to defend their title.

IF YOU HATE Skip Bayless, you'll love this. Bayless appeared with fellow commentator Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's "First Take on Thursday; their guest was Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. Bayless wanted Sherman to talk about his Twitter feud with Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. But Sherman would have none of it, choosing instead to humble the bombastic Bayless. "Whenever you speak to me or whenever you address me, address me as All-Pro Stanford graduate," Sherman said to Bayless.

The Big East Conference announced its 2013 football schedule Wednesday, and Temple opens the season at Notre Dame on Aug. 31. In their home opener, the Owls host conference newcomer Houston in a Big East game on Sept. 7 at Lincoln Financial Field. Rutgers opens its Big East schedule on Oct. 5 at Southern Methodist. The Scarlet Knights host Temple on Nov. 2. Temple Football Schedule Home games in bold, at Lincoln Financial Field. April 20   Cherry & White spring game,       Edberg-Olson Hall, 1 p.m.    Aug. 31   at Notre Dame    Sept.

CHICAGO - What's wrong with being honest? That's what 76ers coach Doug Collins wondered after his 11-plus-minute news conference after Tuesday's effortless, 98-84 loss to the lowly Orlando Magic became all the rage on Wednesday. "I guess I was trending," Collins said before Thursday's game against the Bulls. "Viral, trending? I said, 'Man, what is all this stuff?' It was interesting; I went back and I said, 'Wait a second. I didn't get that I slammed them or was being kind of hard.' I thought I was just talking about what I expected, and, as a coach, that's what you do. There was nobody called out. I just spoke that we're a team.

I don't know what the limit is. To me, an athlete trying to do a backflip while driving a 450-pound snowmobile is insane. But for Caleb Moore and other freestyle snowmobilers, it's just another trick. Moore performed his failed stunt during the Winter X Games on Jan. 24 and died a week later. The stunt was difficult but apparently doable. He had done it many times before. So what do we make of this? By definition, "extreme" sports are difficult or dangerous, performed in a hazardous environment.