Ellington

Doctor S sez: Hang on, sports fans. The NFL starts playing meaningless games in just over a week.

Thursday, July 29
Extreme action sports, X Games
(1 and 7 p.m., ESPN): Hey bruh, the 16th X Games are taking over downtown L.A. It will jam harder than a Widespread Panic concert. Don't forget your helmet and hackey sack.

Friday, July 30
Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony (7 p.m., Jackson Marriott): The Hall inducts legends Henry Armstrong, Allen Brown, Bob Coleman, Frank Dowsing, Lake Speed and Ken Toler. For tickets, call 1-800-280-3263. And you can meet the inductees Saturday from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. ... PDL playoffs, Southern Conference semifinals, Missis-sippi vs. Houston (7:30 p.m., Millsaps, Jackson): The Brilla is hosting the first round of the playoffs. The winner of this game meets the Baton Rouge-Laredo winner in the conference title game Sunday at
7 p.m. at Millsaps.

Saturday, July 31
Major League baseball, Atlanta at Cincinnati (6 p.m., SportSouth, 620 AM): The Braves and Reds meet in a battle of NL contenders.

Sunday, Aug. 1
Golf, U.S. Senior Open (3 p.m., Ch. 3): The over-50 set battles for the top prize in geezer golf. Take it easy on the old guys.

Monday, Aug. 2
Southern League baseball, Mobile at Mississippi (7:05 p.m., Pearl, 103.9 FM): The M-Braves return home to open a series against the BayBears. Who says Mondays are all bad?

Tuesday, Aug. 3
Movie, "Le Mans" (5 a.m., TCM): Steve McQueen is a driver haunted by a past accident who's competing in a deadly endurance race. Just remember, Steve McQueen was the man, and Steve McQueen is STILL the man. Just ask the Rolling Stones.

Wednesday, Aug. 4
Movie, "Undisputed" (10 p.m., AMC): An imprisoned boxer (Ving Rhames) faces the prison's best fighter (Wesley Snipes). Wesley Snipes? The next time Snipes sees the inside of a prison, it won't be a movie set.

The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, who thinks the air conditioner in the JFP Penthouse might be dying. Hey, Todd! Donna! Sigh.