(dual post in Legal/Political)
Article in the Twin Falls, ID paper:
Sweatin' with Rosie ... Four Mini-Cassia women go on national TV with 'Chub Club' Olympics
By Steve Crump
Times-News writer
RUPERT -- Understand that Holly Goodman is a big fan of Rosie O'Donnell, and only a moderate fan of workouts.
But when the chubby actress announced 11 months ago that she was forming a nationwide club to help viewers of her daytime talk show to lead healthier lifestyles, Goodman figured that organizing a local ''Chub Club'' chapter wasn't a bad idea.
''I asked my mom, my sister and my friend, Angela, if they'd be interested, and they said, 'Why not?''' said Goodman, 27. ''So we called ourselves the Couch Potatoes -- you know, because we're from Idaho.''
Then Rosie sweetened the deal.
She announced that she'd bring Chub Clubs from all over the country to New York City in November for ''The Rosie O'Games.'' Goodman got the news three days before Halloween that the Couch Potatoes would be Idaho's representatives.
So along with 177 other Chub Clubbers from throughout the country, Goodman, her friend, Angela Tallant, 28; Holly's mom Patricia Knoblauch, 48; and Holly's younger sister Sarah, 18, flew to the Big Apple for the taping the ''The Rosie O'Games'' on Nov. 4.
''They treated us so well,'' Patricia Knoblauch said. ''They even had a stretch limo to carry us around. Instead of acting casually, like this was something that happened to us all the time, we got all excited and took pictures of each other.''
What actually happens on ''The Rosie O'Games,'' which will air on Dec. 1, is a closely held secret.
''I can't talk about the show,'' Patricia said.
''All I can say is that all of those Chub Clubs were in the studio for the taping,'' Goodman said. ''I have no idea whether we'll even appear in the version that goes on the air.''
The Chub Club is not exactly the Marine Corps: O'Donnell sends out a newsletter with exercise and fitness tips for members.
''The first goal for Chub Club members was to participate in a 5K walk or run in the spring of 1999,'' said Beth Goldman, a publicist for O'Donnell. ''The newsletter is a monthly publication with recipes, stories and encouraging tips from other members.''
''The idea is to keep each other motivated,'' said Goodman, who added that she'd lost 25 pounds after her baby was born.
''I'd work out anyway,'' Patricia said. ''But it's good to have somebody else to work out with.''
Although O'Donnell wined and dined them in New York, the Couch Potatoes insist they didn't do lasting damage to their fitness regimen.
''I didn't think I'd like New York,'' Patricia said. ''I was wrong. We went to Broadway and the Statue of Liberty and saw the runners practicing for the New York Marathon. It was great fun.''
Meanwhile, the Couch Potatoes have resumed their workouts -- and are waiting to see whether they're among the faces who will appear in the ''Rosie O' Games.''
''She's such a friendly, genuine person,'' Goodman said of O'Donnell. ''She didn't act like a celebrity at all.''
But did Rosie join in the games?
''Can't tell you that,'' Goodman said. ''Watch the show.''
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Too bad mental exercises aren't part of her workout plan. Clearly that area needs the greatest improvement. And an Immodium/Pepto cocktail for her anal-cranial diversion (diarrhea of the mouth, constipation of the mind.)
- - - Don