The Blago Infamy Factory Expands

On April 23rd, I declared as the "Best Idea of the Week" an Illinois' court's denial of Rod Blagojevich's participation in an upcoming reality show, "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" Citing reasons such as his pending criminal charges and the fact that he is not a celebrity, I felt Blago did not deserve to use his impeachment as a launching pad to TV stardom and monetary reward.

Well, the Chicago Sun-Times reports today:

In another bizarre chapter of Illinois political history, the wife of onetime governor Rod Blagojevich is likely to finalize a deal this week to appear in a reality TV show.

"It appears she's going to do it," said Sheldon Sorosky, attorney for Rod Blagojevich.

Patti Blagojevich will appear as a contestant on the reality TV show "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" according to an attorney for her husband, Ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Sorosky said Patti Blagojevich plans to fly to Los Angeles this week to finalize a deal to appear on the new NBC prime time TV show: "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" There's no indication what NBC has offered to pay Mrs. Blagojevich, but her husband's onetime deal called for up to $123,000.

NBC executives sought to woo Patti Blagojevich onto the show almost immediately after U.S. District Judge James Zagel last month blocked the former governor from being a contestant.

The show will be filmed in Costa Rica. Because of the federal charges against Rod Blagojevich, he needed approval to leave the country.

Meanwhile, Sam Adam Jr., onetime lawyer for R&B star R. Kelly, formally filed his intent with the court to act as the ex-governor's lawyer.

"I'm ready to go," he said Monday.

I'm really not a fan of the advancement of despicable people due to their despicable actions. "Profane Patti" is even less of a celebrity than her husband, for starters, but NBC's hasty move to replace the ex-governor with one of his (life) partners in crime is nauseating. Surely there are other fame-hungry, D-list attention seekers who would be willing to compete for cash in Costa Rica. Give Ann Coulter a call. I hear Manny Ramirez has some time to spare. Pluck out one of the Jackson 5 or one of the Brady Bunch....anyone but ousted politicians and/or their spouses.

An even better idea for NBC: fill the Costa Rican jungle with Americans who were recently laid off from their jobs. Let THEM compete for cash.