Mario Andretti—A Monster Truck Mud Bogging Champion? Say What?
January 27, 1997

Legendary race car driver Mario Andretti will be guest starring on "The Jeff Foxworthy Show" Monday, February 3rd at 8:00 p.m. This is not a typical appearance by an athlete on a sitcom-because they usually play themselves. But not this time—Mario plays a character called "Purvis Spinetti" who is a champion Monster Truck Mud Bogging driver.

When Jeff (Jeff Foxworthy) becomes the new champion of Monster Truck Mud Bogging, former champ Purvis Spinetti accuses him of sabotage and steals his trophy. The situation escalates when Bill (Bill Engvall) and Florus(Neil Giuntoli) help steal back the life-sized trophy from Purvis.

Mario told me that he liked playing a character other than himself because you can get away with stuff that you can’t when you play yourself. "Although they never mention my real name in the show they do allude to me. For example, Jeff calls me a Formula One wannabe in the show" said the former Formula One Champion Mario. He told me he really enjoys the instant reaction you get when you tape in front of a live audience like they do for "The Jeff Foxworthy Show."

As far as playing a Monster Truck Mud Bogging Champion, Mario said he has seen Monster Truck Mud Bogging a.k.a. "Mudders" once or twice on television but has never participated in such an event. Mario said that his character Purvis is real poor sport with lots of excuses (unlike him, of course).

Mario said he hopes to get Jeff to some of the races this year to cheer on his son CART (Indy Car) driver Michael who races for Newman(as in actor Paul Newman)/ Haas race team.

Acting and appearing on television dramas and sitcoms is not new to the 1969 Indy 500 winner. He told me he first appeared on "It Takes a Thief" in 1970 and has since appeared in numerous shows such as the current hit show "Home Improvement."

A Little of This and a Little of That…

Stars showing up at the NY Knickerbockers games—William Baldwin, Peter Boyle, Spike Lee, Woody Allen, Prince, and Michael J. Fox…

Heavyweight Champion Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield guest stars on "In The House" airing Monday, February 3rd at 8:00 p.m…

"Home Improvement" star Tim Allen will drive for the Saleen/Allen "RRR" Speedlab 2-car team and "Coach" star Craig T. Nelson will drive for his team the Screamin’ Eagles in the "Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona" on February 1st and 2nd at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida…Also, in Daytona, "Beverly Hills 90210" star Jason Priestly will be racing in the IMSA Endurance Challenge on January 31st at the Daytona International Speedway…

When he is not busy kicking cameraman, Dennis (the Menace-my new name for him) is hanging out with "Porno for Pyros" lead singer Perry Farrell. Perry will join Dennis on MTV ‘s "The Rodman World Tour" Sunday, February 2nd at 10:00 PM.