On October 5, 1999, I got to be a guest star on "Adventures with Kanga Roddy" as "tennis girl" (don’t you love my tennis outfit shown below?) on an episode that will probably be shown on TV later this year (I’ll post the date as soon as I find out).

I had auditioned for this show back in August of 1998 but never heard anything after that. Then in August of 1999 (around a year later… so don’t ever give up hope!), I got a call-back where I had to memorize a script and do a little song and dance (and I also threw in a little Tae Kwon Do black belt form for good measure!) in front of Producer Jan Hutchins (that’s him with me in picture number 1 below) and a panel of judges. Mr. Hutchins called a day or two later and even though they felt I was a little young to be a regular cast member, they wanted to use me on a few episodes anyway. Wow, even if they just wanted me to walk across the screen and smile, I’ll be there whenever they call!

Kanga Roddy was created by martial arts masters George Chung (that’s George in picture number 3) and Anthony Chan and stars Jennifer Montana as "Miss Lisa", Karen Lott as "Miss Becky" and Pat Morita as "Uncle Pat" (Uncle Pat is in picture number 5). Anyone from the Bay Area recognizes the names Montana and Lott because their husbands in real life are ex-San Francisco 49ers Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott and everyone knows Mr. Morita as either "Arnold" from "Happy Days" or "Mr. Miyagi" from the "Karate Kid" films. In Kanga Roddy, Miss Becky and Miss Lisa work at a community center and teach the kids there and help them with all their problems. But when they need a little extra help or knowledge, the kids go to Uncle Pat who helps them travel to the Land of Hi-Ya where Kanga Roddy lives. Kanga Roddy is a 7-foot tall kangaroo (see picture number 6) who is not only a martial arts expert but along with his friends (including Bantu) is able to get the kids back on the right path with music, dance and lessons of respect, discipline and friendship.

This episode (where I got to sing "I Love Tennis" with the cast) also co-starred San Francisco 49er linebacker Reggie Givens (#59) who is shown below in picture number 4. I had a great time with Reggie and he even told Jan that since I was beside him he wasn’t nervous about being on the show. I know that wasn’t true but it made me feel good… thanks, Reggie! I had such a great time on the show and Jan, Jennifer, Karen, all the other kids and all the cast, crew and production staff (especially Tracy!) were all so great to me… I hope I can be on another episode real soon.

Kanga Roddy can be seen in California on KQED out of San Francisco, KTEH out of San Jose, KRCB out of Rohnert Park, KVIE out of Sacramento, KVPT out of Fresno-Visalia, KOCE out of Los Angeles and KVCR out of San Bernardino. If you live out of state, you have to check your local listings. It’s a great show so check it out!!!

That’s it for now. For more info, you can check out their website www.kangaroddy.com.

Keep checking back and as soon as I find out more info I’ll let you know!!!

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