Hooray for Hollywood: The True Story of an Original GLOW Girl - From Ring to Real Life: The Heartfelt Journey of Jeanne Basone

My book reviews are typically posted on Thursdays. However, considering the significance of this book—Hooray For Hollywood by the GLOW girl Hollywood, Jeanne Basone—I've decided to make an exception. This isn't just a book review; it's also part of my Saturday GLOWcase blog series, where I highlight personalities connected to my all-time favorite show, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). This dual-purpose post celebrates Jeanne's amazing new release and honors the enduring legacy of GLOW.

If you were into Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) back in the day, you definitely remember Hollywood, Jeanne Basone. She wasn’t just a pretty face—Hollywood was the very first to be cast as a GLOW girl and became one of the show’s most iconic villains. With her glamorous street girl persona and killer moves, she knew how to bring drama and excitement to the ring. Her character had the glitz of the Sunset Strip with an edge of menace that made her so intriguing to watch.

Hollywood Jeanne Basone, in Hollywood

In the ring, Hollywood was fierce. She brought a blend of charisma and athleticism to her villainous role, always keeping the audience on their toes. Her high-energy matches against the good girls were legendary, packed with intense action and loads of attitude. From the pilot episode to the unexpected final episode, Hollywood cemented her status as a top competitor and a formidable opponent.

But Jeanne's book, Hooray for Hollywood: The True Story of an Original GLOW Girl, released December 25, 2024, is so much more than just a recount of her wrestling days. It's a heartfelt and raw journey through her entire life. Jeanne dives deep into her childhood, the traumatic events she's endured, her loves and losses, her family, and growing up. She even shares her travels and her long term relationship with her incredible boyfriend, musician Ryan Spencer Cook. This book truly covers it all and gives you a genuine look into the person behind Hollywood.

This isn't just Jeanne's story—it's the story of her friends, colleagues, and family. Her perspective is inclusive and almost every detail is written from the heart, with love, no matter how painful or traumatic. As a long-time fan and friend of Jeanne, I was deeply moved by how she shared not just her life, but the lives of her friends and fans—including myself! Jeanne's ability to weave these personal anecdotes into her story makes it so relatable and touching. It's a beautiful reminder of how powerful friendships can be and the impact we can have on each other's lives.

What really stands out in this book are the memories and stories from Jeanne's friends and family. There's content written by her sisters Julie and Joelle, GLOW's head writer Steve Blance, actor Douglas Dunning (aka Sir Miles Headlock of GLOW), rock music photographer Michael Strider, and fans like William Taylor, Kim Krieger, Mike Rand, Shawn Campbell, Manny Briano, Andrew Zeranick, and myself. This collective memoir makes the book feel like a shared journey. The segments about our own friendship and history as fans were especially touching. Jeanne’s storytelling is engaging and heartfelt, making it impossible to put the book down.

The photos in the book are truly spectacular, with an amazing shot taken in the Dominican Republic by my partner, Terry. These images add so much depth to the stories, bringing the memories to life in vivid detail. It's like you’re right there, experiencing everything alongside Jeanne and her friends.

A spread from GLOW Magazine feature Hollywood

After GLOW, Hollywood didn’t just disappear. Jeanne kept wrestling on the indie circuit and dabbled in acting, stunt work, and modeling. She’s appeared in Playboy, Married with Children, Liar Liar, and countless other movies, TV shows, and magazines. Jeanne's versatility and talent have made her a multifaceted performer, showcasing her skills beyond the wrestling ring. One of her most iconic projects was playing Jane in the video game Plumbers Don't Wear Ties. Her legacy as one of GLOW’s top bad girls lives on, especially with the resurgence of interest in GLOW thanks to the Netflix series. Jeanne's journey from a glamorous villain in the ring to a multifaceted performer is a testament to her talent and determination.

Jeanne bravely addresses the bullying incidents involving certain ladies of GLOW as well as their fans, both towards Jeanne and her fans. Her candidness in setting the record straight is empowering and enlightening. Jeanne's honesty and courage in speaking out about these issues are truly inspiring. Hollywood may have been a bad girl in the ring, but she's a very good girl outside of it. Her book is not just a memoir but a powerful statement against bullying and overcoming adversity, showing that even in the face of challenges, one can rise above and make a positive impact. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the strength to stand up against unfair treatment and adversity.

Terry and I with Jeanne, on a cruise 2018

Today, Jeanne's got her hands in a lot of fires, in addition to her her own comic books and now her memoir Hooray For Hollywood, she still wrestles and makes soap for her company Hollywood Botanika. If you loved Hollywood, be sure to look her up on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and her Etsy Store https://www.etsy.com/shop/GLOWHollywoodMerch. You might also catch her at fan conventions for wrestling, comic books, and her yearly appearance at the CAC in Las Vegas. Anyone who's ever met her can attest that Hollywood is one of the most fan-friendly wrestlers you could ever meet.

Jeanne also includes beautiful tributes to the GLOW girls who have passed away, such as Matilda the Hun, Tara the Southern Belle, Sally the Farmer's Daughter, Star, Mountain Fiji, Angel, Pepper, Aunt Kitty, Big Bad Mama, Babe the Farmer's Daughter and several others. These tributes are a heartfelt and touching homage to her fellow wrestlers, preserving their legacy and the impact they had on the wrestling world.

You can purchase Hooray for Hollywood: The True Story of an Original GLOW Girl by Jeanne Basone (ISBN# 9798218566524) from various online retailers, including:

Amazon: Amazon.com

Jeanne’s official website: JeanneBasone.com

Jeanne's etsy shop: etsy.com/shop/GLOWHollywoodMerch

Hooray for Hollywood: The True Story of an Original GLOW Girl is a must-read for anyone who loves a good, candid, and truthful biography, 1980's pop culture, and professional wrestling—especially ladies wrestling. Jeanne Basone has truly outdone herself with this remarkable work, creating a book that is both entertaining and deeply moving. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for an inspiring and captivating read.

Yours truly enjoying Hooray for Hollywood!

Each Saturday, I post a blog entry featuring memories of a Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling personality, including the wrestlers, crew, management, as well as fans who loved the show as kids and into adulthood.

If you would like to purchase episodes of GLOW on DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS, check out eBay for deals on NEW and media.

Saturday Wrestling Spotlight: Tulsa’s Triumph: The Legacy of Jody Haselbarth in GLOW and Beyond

This week's GLOWING Saturday Spotlight is all about Tulsa, played by Jody Haselbarth. This blog entry was a special collaboration with Jody Haselbarth. A big THANK YOU to Tulsa! Not only did she help co-write this piece, but she also shared some fantastic photos from her rodeo days. Enjoy the trip down memory lane!

Jody as Tulsa

This week's GLOWING Saturday Spotlight is all about Tulsa, played by Jody Haselbarth. Tulsa joined GLOW in the third season and stayed until the show's end, standing out with her cowgirl persona, charming Southern accent, and a whole lot of spunk. Initially seen as a replacement for Dallas from previous seasons, Tulsa carved out her own niche as the Yellow Rose of GLOW. She was one of the "country" girls, alongside Babe and Sally the Farmer's Daughters, but she truly stood on her own, especially with her authentic Texan accent. Tulsa wasn't just another pretty face; she was fearless in the ring, from surviving Beastie shoving raw meat prepped with the potty brush in her mouth during a match to Hollywood performing an iconic flying scissor takedown on her, which can be seen in the opening credits during the season 3 and 4 episodes of GLOW. Her impeccable timing and delivery during skits, as well as her fun raps, made her an even more memorable character. Tulsa connected with the audience, winning their hearts whether she was trash-talking her opponents or performing high-flying moves.

When Matt Cimber was considering her character, Jody told him that all she knew how to be was a cowgirl and that since Dallas left, GLOW needed another one. He actually listened, something he rarely did. Jody was a real rodeo cowgirl; barrel racing, break-away calf roping, and goat tying. She even rode bulls and bareback broncs in all-girl rodeos. Jody said she was horrified that Matt gave her the name Tulsa because it is north of the Red River and because she is a native Texan. Later, her momma told her that she lived in Oklahoma when she was a little girl, so that made everything alright. I loved hearing her say that because my own mom was from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and lived many years in Texas. In her words, "Our sweet mommas are both OK and TX, what a great combination!" Her ring entrance with a lasso became iconic, and though her fans would have loved to see her use it in the ring, she was a clean fighter who earned her victories fairly. She embodied the spirit of a true rodeo cowgirl because she WAS one. Although she wasn’t allowed to use her lasso in the ring (it was considered a weapon), she wouldn’t rope a person anyway since it is a real calf rope that she used in break-away calf roping. She made an exception for Beastie because she considered her livestock.

After the television series was canceled, Jody Haselbarth continued to wrestle as Tulsa independently and was lucky enough to work around the world, wrestling in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Jordan, Panama, England, Japan, and several tours to Hawaii with other ladies of GLOW such as Hollywood, Lightning, Mt. Fiji, Dementia, Tiffany, Dallas, Beastie, and a few others. Officially, Jody made one final televised GLOW appearance as Tulsa, wrestling Hollywood during the 1993 GLOW pay-per-view event. But that wasn't the last we saw of Jody. She went on to become a much sought-after stunt performer, known for her work in movies like Transformers: Age of Extinction, Arlington Road, and Idiocracy. She's also appeared in other popular films and TV shows, proving her versatility and dedication to her craft. Some of her best stunts were in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as Renee Zellweger’s stunt double and Matthew McConaughey set her on fire. Jody's work has earned her recognition and respect among her peers in the entertainment industry. She's an absolute sweetheart and super fan-friendly, a rare quality among the "Good Girls" from GLOW. Jody is active on Facebook, and along with many of the other ladies of the original GLOW series, she proudly carries the torch, dedicated to preserving the legacy of Tulsa and GLOW for the fans.

Tulsa’s legacy in GLOW is a testament to the impact Jody had on fans and the world of women’s wrestling. Whether you're a long-time fan or discovering GLOW for the first time, Tulsa’s matches are definitely worth revisiting. They capture the essence of what made GLOW such a groundbreaking and entertaining show.

If you would like to purchase episodes of GLOW on DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS, check out eBay for deals on NEW and media.