I saw Tonya Harding on a talk show a few weeks ago (pure accident--I was channel-surfing on a slow night) and she was whining to the host about people thinking she was not a nice person and calling her "trailer trash" and that sort of thing. Sitting there with her blond hair and her waif-like look, she was kinda cute, and I felt a touch of sympathy for her.

Then I heard about the "Celebrity Boxing" thing, and I figured "When it comes to trying to change her image, it looks like the Bimbo of the Silver Blades has a bit of a problem determining what is and what is not good PR."

Then, with the same kind of motivation one has for watching anything that one knows is going to be downright sordid, I watched the match. Considering the nature of the contestants, it was about what I expected. And then!! Early on, Paula wilts and decides she's had enough. The match is over. She's standing there, her hands down at her sides having a word with the referee, when Sweet Little Tonya walks up and pops her one! The first thing that came into my mind was--"trailer trash!" Poor little waif. She was certainly standing behind the door when good taste was passed out.

Votes for future bouts:-- How about Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp?

Don Firth