We’re used to seeing washed-up celebrities attempt to stage comebacks by appearing on reality television. But politicians?
The news that Rod Blagojevich has agreed to appear on NBC’s “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!” — if a judge permits him to travel to Costa Rica for filming — made us wonder what other public figures could have used reality programming for career rehab.
Bernie Madoff on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” — Maybe he could make back some of the nearly $65 billion he defrauded from thousands of investors (this sentence as published has been corrected in this text).
Joan of Arc on “Survivor” — Instead of being burned at the stake, the French heroine would, well, survive.
Napoleon on “Real World” — He may have conquered Europe, but how would he have done in a house filled with self-obsessed twentysomethings?
Henry VIII on “Celebrity Fit Club” — Maybe if he had lost some of that extra poundage, he would have been in a better mood and not so quick to cut off the heads of his wives.
Bill Clinton on “Temptation Island.” We could be talking about the temptation to reap post-presidential cash. But we’re not. If we have to explain this one further, you weren’t paying attention.
William Tecumseh Sherman on “Road Rules.” Imagine what the man who marched destructively to the sea could do in the company of college kids in a Winnebago.
Sen. Joe McCarthy on “Big Brother” — Having the tables turned on the anti-communist demagogue would be must-see-TV.
