Babe hits the hard cover
Nov. 19, 1996

The Fabulous Sports Babe (alias Nancy Donnellan) had not planned on writing a book, but when the infamous literary agent Judith Reagan called, Donnellan listened.

Babe says that writing "Babe in Boyland" was the most intense project she ever worked on. She and Reagan decided to take on the world of sports and write the book like she conducts her radio show on ESPN -- boisterous and loud.

BABE ADMITS HER CALLERS and guests are nuts. The guests she's most proud of? Fay Vincent, Pete Rose, and Mike Schmidt. Babe says that Vincent is a big fan of her radio show. Another big fan is Disney Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Michael Eisner.

During a recent visit Babe made to Disney, Eisner sent word to the Babe that he wanted to meet with her. They even discussed doing a television sitcom show based on her radio personality.

Currently, she does a television show on ESPN 2 -- the show is Babe's radio show on camera. Babe says it's stupid and a pain in the rear, but it's a good vehicle to promote her radio show.

Besides Disney talking to her about future projects, Babe says that Tri Star Pictures contacted her about Dyan Cannon playing her in another television sitcom based on "The Fabulous Sports Babe." Most people would have been flattered -- but not "Babe." Miss Fabulous herself said she thought Cannon was too old to play her.

When she is not busy talking sports, Babe likes listening to opera. Her favorite singer is Maria Callas. (Whoever said sports people don't have culture.) She also likes to collect art, including sculpture and abstract paintings.

And how does she want people to remember her when she has gone onto sports heaven?

"Just a nice girl trying to make a living" she says.

A little of this and a little of that

"Space Jam", starring Michael Jordan, slam-dunked the box-office on its debut this weekend, taking in $29.2 million -- which is almost as much as Jordan makes in annual salary from the Chicago Bulls. The live-action/animated film surprised many movie industry observers with such a strong showing. They will soon learn never to underestimate MJ. ...

Olympic gymnast Kerri Strug's book "Heart of Gold" will be hitting the book stores this week. The book is her first for children. Yes, she does talk about her Olympic vault, but more importantly reveals how she overcame fear, negativity, loneliness, perfectionism and jealousy. ... Kerri's former teammate, Dominique Dawes, is appearing in the new Prince music video "Betcha By Golly Wow" now playing on MTV. ... WBA heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will be taping a cameo appearance for UPN's "In The House." I'll keep you posted on the date the show will air.