As TV sets were becoming staples in American households during the 1950s, individual sporting events made for popular, low-cost programming. Then, at the dawn of the 1960s, Wide World of Sports, also known as ABC's Wide World of Sports, debuted. The show was a new type of sports program. Rather than focus on one sport, it presented a variety of athletic events in one show. Each week, Wide World of Sports transported the viewer across the United States and around the world. The show featured many athletes who otherwise would not be seen on television (see entry under 1940s—TV and Radio in volume 3): bobsled racers, bodybuilders, gymnasts, figure skaters, ski jumpers, surfers, swimmers, divers, auto racers, stunt motorcyclists, rodeo performers, and track-and-field athletes. All the while, the show spotlighted the human side of sports. In addition to presenting races, bouts, and...