Blago’s wife takes his place on reality TV show

A judge may have forbidden Rod Blagojevich from leaving the country to appear on a reality TV show, but he couldn’t keep the whole family down. Patti Blagojevich will now step in for her husband on “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!”

Mrs. Blagojevich told the Today Show that she’ll film the show in Costa Rica in order to help support her family.

“First and foremost, we would like to keep our commitment to NBC,” she said this morning. “In this terrible economic time, I feel it’s necessary to go to work and support my family.”

She added that she hopes to alter the perception of her as a foul-mouthed accomplice to her husband’s alleged crime, a characterization that emerged from her appearance on government wiretaps of her husband.

“I think people that know me know the truth behind those comments,” she said. “I do look forward to this show as being an opportunity for people to see what I’m really like.”

But the indicted governor threw in a twist of his own, hinting he may still play some role in the series.

“There may be some surprises in store for you,” he said. “I’m not sure what role NBC might have in mind for me.”