Legal News

Blagojevich Wants Face Off With Ozzy Osbourne

By Nathan Koppel

Reality TV has perhaps hit a new cultural high point ─ or low point, depending on your perspective.

Indicted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich made a bid this week to join the annals of D-list celebrity infamy, along with such luminaries as Gene Simmons, Dennis Rodman, and the former front man for Black Sabbath.

The Chicago Tribune reported Wed. that Blago, who was indicted this month on corruption charges, asked Chicago federal judge James Zagel to modify his bail so that he could travel to Costa Rica to take part in the reality show, "I'm a Celebrity . . . Get me Out of Here!"

The judge denied the request, calling it a "bad idea."

But Blago is undeterred, the Trib reports today. His spokesman says offers keep coming in and that the governor will continue to consider documentary-style shows like "The Osbornes," as well as competitive shows like "I'm a Celebrity."

"Whatever type of opportunity arises, we will consider," publicist Glenn Selig told the Trib. "We're not crossing anything off the list."

The former gov told judge Zagel earlier this week that he is financially strapped and needs the money to provide for his family and to pay for his defense. He stood to make as much as $123,000 from "I'm a Celebrity," the Trib reports today.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on April 23, 2009 (boomark / email).