Blagojevich Reality Show In Costa Rican Jungle: Blago Wants To Appear On "I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!"

CHICAGO — In the span of a few months, Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY'-uh-vich) could trade the Illinois governor's office for the Costa Rican jungle.

NBC says it wants Blagojevich, who pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering and fraud charges Tuesday, to appear on its upcoming show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!"

A network statement says 10 celebrities will be dropped into the Costa Rican jungle "to face challenges designed to test their skills in adapting to the wilderness."

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

The ousted governor's bond does not allow him to leave the United States.

An attorney close to his legal defense says Blagojevich is seeking permission from a judge to leave the country to appear on the show.

The lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan was confidential, says Blagojevich could tape the show in June if given permission.

Comments

[omobob]

11:18 AM on 04/16/2009

Rob, Rob, Rob of the Jungle. Guilty as he can be. Watch out for that treeeeee. Rob, Rob, Rob of the Jungle.

[katekid]

08:16 AM on 04/16/2009

Is Costa Rica a nonextradition country?
Not that it would be a bad thing.

[mmaza]

03:48 AM on 04/16/2009

He should really go into comedy.He's a hoot.

[enoughalready13]

10:02 PM on 04/15/2009

1. He is not a celebrity, unless you consider Bozo the Clown one ...

2. He will easily be confused with the monkeys and the apes, or maybe they will befriend him? He does have a lot of hair to groom through ...

[toocoldout]

09:40 PM on 04/15/2009

I LOVE him. I'd watch any show he's on.

[TopsyTurvey]

08:43 PM on 04/15/2009

Is he fleeing the jungle because the trees are also seeking to impeach him?

[gcallaghan]

01:19 PM on 04/15/2009

Can this be his getaway plan? If so, I give him really high style marks for creativity but really low technical marks because he'll be followed everywhere by a camera crew.

[thephenomenologist]

12:16 PM on 04/15/2009

he is not a celebrity. he is a criminal. does nbc believe that rewarding criminal behavior with a tv show is entertaining. as a chicagoan, i don't find it the least bit entertaining. i find it insulting and disgusting.

[lvdragonlady]

11:32 AM on 04/15/2009

What a waste of air space?

[jtmoney]

11:05 AM on 04/15/2009

doesn't seem to be too worried about his upcoming case does he? i'd be more worried about going to prison than doing some stupid show that nobody will watch anyway, personally.

[TotobiAyokoh23]

11:00 AM on 04/15/2009

I think he prefers to be a dessert for a red-eyed python to languishing in an American jail! Good choice, anyway.

[cocolola]

10:56 AM on 04/15/2009

That show bombed in the US a few years back. Why bring it back now? On the other hand, if the Octomom can have a reality show, why not Blag? Everyone is out to make an easy buck.

[jordan3189]

10:46 AM on 04/15/2009

The pride of the democrats.

[me again]

10:59 AM on 04/15/2009

With less than pithy commentary like this, why do you bother writing on this blog? Would suggest you write elsewhere. But if you want to cast stones......we can start listing prides of the GOP ....., Tom Delay, Mark Foley, Larry Craig, Alberto Gonzales.....shall we continue????? It's a really long list................

[biskitdaddy]

11:38 AM on 04/15/2009

Methinks if you want to post a complete list you might have to set up a separate website!!!!!!! It's waaaaay to long to post here!

[pamelagoodenough]

07:43 PM on 04/15/2009

Hey Jordan,
Don't you have a date at a tea party?

They are waiting for you down the street. I hear they are yelling at tea bags someone dumped on a lawn.

Or maybe you just miss GWBush. boo hoo

[Bystander]

10:46 AM on 04/15/2009

I'm in favor of maintaining this crook's profile in the media...good object lesson for Americans that are tired of politics and politicians as usual. Then salt this guy away in prison for a long time.

[PatA]

10:17 AM on 04/15/2009

I hear Anacondas retching.

[Ozohead]

01:50 AM on 04/16/2009

LOL