Dennis Rodman was interviewed by Chris Wallace on ABC's
"PrimeTime Live" last evening. Rodman discussed his latest
incident in which he kicked cameraman Eugene Amos and
commented on the subsequent 11-game suspension from the NBA
with the condition that he undergo counseling. Rodman, on
if he needs counseling: "If I need counseling, my God, wow.
If they want me to see a counselor, I'll go see him. We'll
play cards. ... What can I tell him? There's nothing I can
tell the guy. What? I need help? I'm a sick individual?"
Asked if he could convince NBA Commissioner David Stern that
no such incident would happen again, Rodman said, "I cannot
say that," and added if an incident did occur, "it just
means I had a bad day." Asked to respond to Stern's
punishment: "Don't treat me like a kid. I'm not your son
and you're not my father. That's the first thing we need to
get straight." On if he would control his antics for the
league: "Then they won't get Dennis Rodman. I don't get
paid $9 million just to go out there and look good. It's
entertainment. I've got to give you the total package. If
I can't do that, I'm worthless." Asked why he settled with
Amos: "It would have been more of a headache for me to drag
this out like the O.J. Simpson trial." On his reputation
being damaged by the controversy: "My reputation, which
wasn't good in the first place, is just getting dragged all
in quicksand for no reason" ("PrimeTime Live," ABC, 1/22).
AFTERWARD, RODMAN BLAMES THE MEDIA: In unaired remarks
released by ABC, Rodman blamed the media for the latest
controversy, according to Phil Rosenthal of the CHICAGO SUN-
TIMES. Rodman: "I blame the narrow-minded, shallow people
in the world. I mean the papers, the media. That's who I
blame. ... I did something that looked like it's bad. But
on the other hand, it's harmless" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/23).
GIVE ME A HEAD OF HAIR: Rodman, unveiling a new blond
look: "I thought I'd dye it so people wouldn't recognize me"
("PrimeTime Live," ABC, 1/22).
FINAL THOUGHTS: In Chicago, Steve Rosenbloom on the
interview: "Do you think ABC paid Rodman, oh, about $200,000
for the interview?" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/23). Also in
Chicago, Terry Armour notes "there has been speculation"
that Bulls coach Phil Jackson "was admonished by the NBA for
comments he made after Rodman kicked Amos." Jackson was
"skeptical" of Amos' injury (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/23).
ET TU, GQ? Rodman is featured in GQ by Scott Raab with
the header, "Dennis Rodman, In The Pink." The sub-head:
"Two years at the center of the celebrity vortex haven't
changed the Worm. Not at all. He's still the sweet,
passive, befuddled guy he's been all along" (GQ, 2/97).
