Oct 9, 2009 1:51 pm US/Central
Blagojevich To Appear On 'The Apprentice?'
Producers Won't Confirm Reports
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich attends a press conference for "I"m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!" at the Langham Hotel on April 24, 2009, in Pasadena, Calif.
Charley Gallay/Getty Images
Deposed Gov. Rod Blagojevich was locked out of "I'm a Celebrity… Get Me out of Here!" because his passport was revoked, but it looks like he's going to get a shot at a reality show after all.
Blagojevich could be pitting his infamous mop of hair against Donald Trump's much scoffed-at coif.
The ousted Illinois governor will make an appearance on Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice" on NBC, said a person close to Blagojevich's team who was briefed on the plan. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because it hadn't been officially announced, said Blagojevich would be paid for his appearance but the amount was undisclosed.
"NBC doesn't comment on casting until there's an official announcement to be made," NBC spokeswoman Amanda Ruisi said Friday.
The entire slate of contestants won't be announced until early next year.
Blagojevich had been offered a spot on "I'm a Celebrity… Get Me out of Here!" last spring, but
U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel ruled that he could not travel to Costa Rica for the taping of the program.
Blagojevich was ordered to surrender his passport when he was hit with federal corruption charges, so he had to ask Zagel for permission to leave the country. Zagel deemed Blagojevich a flight risk and said no.
The former governor's wife, Patti Blagojevich, went instead. She gained notoriety for eating a tarantula and protesting that her husband was being treated unfairly by federal authorities.
The ninth season of "The Celebrity Apprentice" is scheduled to air in spring 2010. The network has said production was expected to begin in the fall, when 16 celebrities meet and compete in business-oriented challenges. All but one will eventually hear Trump tell them, "You're fired!"
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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