Johngy Meets Fury

As I have written before, I loved the first version of the American Gladiators and I enjoy the new version, too. I would never pass on a chance to meet any of the Gladiators.
At a Hollywood Collectors Show last year, I had the pleasure of meeting 3 of the Gladiators. The first one I saw and met was Fury, Jamie Reed Kovac.
Kovac is a structural engineer from New York. She is a national level figure competitor in the NPC and was featured as 'Fury' on tv's American Gladiators.
Kovac seemed to have a good time at the HCS. She eagerly posed for photos with her fellow Gladiators (Mayhem and Venom) and with her fans (which also included some of the other celebs there.

Jamie Reed Kovac and me in Rosemont, IL-Spring 2008.

Phoenix in Chicago

Jennifer Widerstrom was a track and field star at the University of Kansas. She excelled in the hammer throw. Phoenix is a star on American Gladiators. She excels in hammering contestants.
Everyone knows my fascination with the American Gladiators goes back to the days of Zap, Nitro and Gemini. Sure some of the events were a bit hokey and the announcers a bit over the top (remember Todd Christensen?), but I still watched it every week. Even now, when I come across it on ESPN Classic, I end up watching the rest of the show.
I met Phoenix at the Wizard World convention. Fortunately, she did not have any pugil sticks, so I was safe. Even without any weapons, she still looked like she could put a hurtin' on most people. Wisely, I did not annoy her.
I didn't get much time to talk to Phoenix, because she was quite busy. Apparently I am not the only fan of American Gladiators. I also did not get the chance to compare biceps (I probably would have lost anyway).

Jennifer Widerstom and me in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2008.

Beth Horn is A Today's Chicago Woman

I was doing some interviews at the Wizard World in Chicago when I came across Venom (aka Beth Horn) from American Gladiators. I stopped by and briefly interviewed Horn.

Along with her gig on American Gladiators, Horn is a personal trainer, an author and an actress. Horn recently had finished filming her part in Fancypants, a movie currently in post-production. Roddy Piper is also in that movie.
I also learned that Horn was a local girl. Horn was born in Chicago and graduated from Resurrection High School on the northwest side. We talked a bit about her favorite Chicago spots.

We even joked about her appearing on the cover of Today's Chicago Woman in the future. Hopefully one day my crew will be distributing TCW's emblazoned with Horn's face! The only thing better would be if I was the writer for the accompanying article. Are you listening TCW?

Beth Horn and me in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2008.

Mayhem, Fury, Venom and ...Johngy?

I loved watching American Gladiators when I was younger. Sure, some of the events were a bit cheesy, but the show was great. That's why I was excited when NBC brought back the American Gladiators last year.
This incarnation is hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali. The sets are sleeker and the production is slicker, but the action is just as entertaining. This set of Gladiators is just as colorful as the first set years ago.
I had the pleasure of meeting Gladiators Mayhem (William Romeo), Fury (Jamie Reed) and Venom (Beth Horn) at a Hollywood Collectors Show. They were all very personable and seemed happy to be there. Horn is a native Chicagoan; so we had a few extra things to discuss.
Mayhem joked about me being a Gladiator. Now that would be cool, although I think I'd need a better character name. I don't think Johngy would instill fear in any of the competitors.

Mayhem, Fury, Venom and me in Rosemont, IL-Spring 2008.