Mrs. Blagojevich to Appear on TV Reality Show

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was removed from office in January after plotting to sell or exchange President Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat, wasn't permitted to appear on a TV reality show in Costa Rica. However, his wife chose to replace him instead.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Blagojevich was barred by a federal judge from starring on the NBC program, I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here, because it would send him out of America. Nevertheless, wife Patti took up the offer from the network and has since traveled to L.A. earlier this week, stated the family's publicist, Glenn Selig.

Mrs. Blagojevich, who left to be a part of a promotional photo shoot, arrived in New York with her husband to make an appearance on the Today show, Thursday. She said she aspires to prove her persona is different than that of the sailor-swearing woman portrayed in federal wiretaps.

"I don't think those characterizations were fair at all," she said.

Prosecutors filed a lawsuit in the past, which said she was taped while chatting on the phone using fowl language recommending that newspaper Tribune Co. "just fire" editors who were not supportive of her spouse.

"I think that people who know me know the truth behind those comments," she said.

Mr. Blagojevich, who was also convicted of "using the muscle of the governor's office to squeeze companies with state business for campaign contributions," as stated by the Hollywood Reporter, still maintains his innocence.