Rod TV?
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to be part of “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here,” even if it’s just to promote the NBC reality series.
“What’s really appealing about this opportunity is it’s a chance to do something that’s really fun and entertaining, compared to some of the other things I gotta deal with, which frankly suck,” he told a news conference to introduce the cast of the show Friday in Pasadena, Calif. RedEye listened in.
A judge ruled last week that the indicted Blagojevich could not leave the country to film the show in Costa Rica, but NBC still wants him to be part of it. On Thursday, he filmed a promo in which he was suspended by wires and pretending to fly while a fan blew his famous hair wildly.
Blagojevich also met the full-time cast members who will travel to Costa Rica, including “The Hills” stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, as well as model and reality star Janice Dickinson, former “American Idol” competitor Sanjaya Malakar, actor Stephen Baldwin, former NBA star John Salley and wrestler Torrie Wilson. Three more cast members and the host will be named next week, NBC said. The show debuts June 1.
The digit
17: Number of years since Jay Leno last missed a taping of the “Tonight Show,” according to Reuters. The talk show host checked into a hospital on Thursday for an undisclosed illness.
THE VELVET ROPE
Clarkson in the heartland
Kelly Clarkson is coming to Springfield. She’ll perform at the Illinois State Fair in August, the State Journal-Register of Springfield reports. Clarkson will be paid $175,000 for her appearance, according to a notice posted by the state Department of Agriculture. The state fair runs Aug. 14-23.
It’s complicated
Are LiLo and SamRo on speaking terms? Lindsay Lohan was spotted near former gal pal Samantha Ronson’s Hollywood Hills home on Thursday, according to reports citing paparazzi photos. Ronson also reportedly changed her relationship status on Facebook to “It’s complicated” Thursday. Drama!
Bad Bass
Ed Westwick (right) swears he’s not like his TV alter ego, “Gossip Girl” bad boy Chuck Bass. Bass tells Interview magazine he’s “just not that scandalous,” but he does have tattoos — six, in fact. As for the latest he’s ever returned home from a night out in New York, where the show is filmed? “Probably like three days later,” he said, laughing.
Beyonce in the hot seat
Jay-Z apparently has a fan in Larry King.
The TV host shared this Thursday night (saying Jay-Z is “a terrific performer”) when Beyonce appeared on his show to promote her latest movie, “Obsessed.” King asked Beyonce about Rihanna (Beyonce said the younger singer is “doing a lot better.”) and Michelle Obama (“She’s so chic.”), among other subjects.
A whole new Boyle
Who are you calling frumpy? Susan Boyle, the “Britain’s Got Talent” sensation who had said she wasn’t looking into getting a makeover, showed off a chic new look Friday, complete with a new hairdo — tamed and dyed brown — stylish leather jacket and a trendy scarf, according to photos from The Associated Press (above).
