NBC Snags Blagojevich For Reality TV Show

(AP)  In the span of a few months, ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich could trade the governor's office for the Costa Rican jungle.

Blagojevich, who pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering and fraud charges Tuesday, will be a participant in the new show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" pending court approval, NBC said Tuesday in a statement.

Ten celebrities will be dropped into the jungle "to face challenges designed to test their skills in adapting to the wilderness," the network said.

But Blagojevich's legal problems could end the venture before it begins.

His bond does not allow him to leave the United States and Judge James B. Zagel would have to modify it for him to appear on the show.

Blagojevich is seeking permission from Zagel to leave the country for the show, an attorney close to his legal defense said Tuesday. He could tape the show in June if Zagel approves the travel, said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky declined to confirm the story. Publicists Glenn Selig and Justin Herndon did not immediately return messages from The Associated Press.

Blagojevich has become accustomed to television cameras. As his impeachment trial got under way in Springfield, he launched a media blitz, rushing from one TV studio to another in New York to proclaim his innocence. He likened himself to the hero of a Frank Capra movie and to a cowboy in the hands of a Wild West lynch mob on shows including "The View," "Larry King Live" and "Late Show" with David Letterman.

Blagojevich seemed to bask in the adulation, signing autographs and posing with onlookers as he left TV studios. During interviews, Blagojevich repeatedly said he had done nothing wrong and blasted the impeachment trial as unfair.

His unwillingness to stay quiet cost him the help of his former lead attorney, Edward M. Genson, who announced in January he was withdrawing from the case and suggested Blagojevich wouldn't listen to him.

The 52-year-old is charged with schemed to sell or trade President Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat. He is also charged with planning to squeeze money from companies seeking state business and plotting to use the financial muscle of the governor's office to pressure the Chicago Tribune to fire editorial writers who had called for his impeachment.

Federal spokesman Randall Samborn said he had no comment on the reality show idea.

[newslink]

NBC must be deserate for rating's. Who would want to watch a crimmal loose in a Jungle. This is the problem with American Television. These Networks will stoop to any level. And bring people that commit crimes, drugs and liars in homes. I will not watch this so called show.

[inketolstoy]

Blagovich and reality in the same sentence. That is a nice change.

[clowry1611]

nbc will play this cr@p, but cancel Friday Night Lights last year??? of course when the satellite company picks it up it takes off and NOW nbc wants to air the second half of the season. I got an idea for you exec's: call it "simply retarded" and just let a film crew follow yourselves around for a day in the week of an nbc executive

[goaliedad56]

Is NBC that desperate for ratings that they have to bring a liar / cheat / fraud / political hack on board as entertainment?.....And then try to sell to the public as quality entertainment? Just what have you been smoking and drinking? There has to be a few better qualified has-beens than Blogo-man. Come on NBS executive "leadership", get your head out of your corporate buttz! Posted by govtguy at 8:03 AM : Apr 15, 2009

What do you expect from a network that brings you Keith Olbermann and Rachal Maddow? Enough said!!

[tomanyt]

"I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here"...I thought that was off the air.

[dagrandma]

Wow, how impressive! In order to become a star of or contestant on a reality television show, one has to be a complete whack job. No wonder I'm a nobody.

[govtguy]

Is NBC that desperate for ratings that they have to bring a liar / cheat / fraud / political hack on board as entertainment?.....And then try to sell to the public as quality entertainment? Just what have you been smoking and drinking? There has to be a few better qualified has-beens than Blogo-man. Come on NBS executive "leadership", get your head out of your corporate buttz!

[Renegade.Rivers]

I for one will never watch the crook on TV. The only hope would be if Blagojevich was to be found in the middle of a desperate situation surrounded by monkeys, or jaguars, that might be intriguing to watch, as he desperately tried to talk his way out of the situation.

[Questionews]

I can see why CBS put this story out. It makes NBC look like desperate morons. And I tend to agree.