The future of U.S. Olympic gymnast Kerri Strug in TV and
movies is examined by Kristen Baldwin of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
under the header, "Kerri Struggles." Strug "has to surmount the
high (pitched) obstacle in the way of her TV career," especially
her voice. Arnold Sand, of L.A.-based Sports Marketing &
Entertainment, said Strug's voice "would be annoying after more
than an hour, or a half hour, or 15 minutes." Strug's agent,
Leigh Steinberg: "I've been trying not to make her feel self-
conscious, but I think we'll have her take voice lessons." Strug
is taping upcoming episodes of "America's Funniest Home Videos,"
discussing possible sitcom appearances, has a six-figure
endorsement deal for nutritional products and "may do a TV
movie." Steinberg says he "could see a sitcom in her future" (EW,
10/18 issue).
ON THE ROAD: Strug's "break" with other members of the U.S.
Olympic Team, who are participating in the John Hancock World
Gymnastics Championships, is profiled by Wayne Coffey of the N.Y.
DAILY NEWS. The Hancock Tour signed Shannon Miller, Dominique
Moceanu and Dominique Dawes early in the year, but not Strug, who
has since signed with rival, World Gold Gymnastics Tour, where
she receives about $20,000 per show. David D'Allessandro, Senior
VP for John Hancock: "It was shortsighted and perhaps stupid not
to wrap up the whole team early. For $50,000 or $100,000 (per
athlete), it could've been done" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/13).
