Movie star to racing star
August 28, 1996

Most television stars do a movie while their show is on hiatus. This summer, Home Improvement's Tim Allen not only starred in the film "Jungle to Jungle," but he raced in the Sports Car Club of America S2 Series.

Tim started 12th and finished 10th at the Texaco/Havoline 200 Race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., driving for the Saleen/Allen team, which he co-owns. Tim will be behind the wheel of the Mustang with "Home Improvement" touted on the nose at the SCCA Race in Reno, Nev., on Sept. 21 and 22.

Tisdale in the Zone

Phoenix Sun forward Wayman Tisdale is not only good on the court, but off the court as well. The NBA star and accomplished bassist has released his sophomore album, titled "In the Zone," for MoJazz, the jazz division of Motown records. This album follows his best-selling debut CD "Power Forward." Wayman contributed his production skills to nine of the album's 11 tracks and wrote or co-wrote eight cuts. I spoke with Wayman when he was in New York to promote the new album, and he revealed that the concept behind his all-important second album was based on a common thread linking music and basketball. In a series of musical interludes, Wayman speaks about his experience of being "in the zone" from his early years in high school to his ascension as a star player for the Suns and as a veteran of 11 seasons. "Being in the zone is a whole different thing," he explains. "It's a time and place where everything just comes together. It's something I first experienced in sports, but which I've also experienced playing music."

As the Worm turns

Another NBA player keeping busy in the off-season is Dennis Rodman, who will hang out with people from outer space this fall on the show "3rd Rock from the Sun," a sitcom about aliens living on earth. I wonder if viewers will be able to figure out if he's playing an alien or himself. The NBA's bad boy will appear on the hit TV show airing Sept. 22.

Model citizen

Olympic basketball player Lisa Leslie attended the Kickoff Classic between Southern California and Penn State at the Meadowlands on Aug. 24. The 6-foot-5-inch gold medalist was there rooting for her alma mater, USC, but it didn't help as the Trojans lost 24-7. Lisa told me she has just signed with Wilhelmina Models and is doing a runway show for Tommy Hilfiger in New York on Friday. She also said to look for her guest appearance this September on the FOX sitcom "Martin."