Blagojevich: Famous For Being Infamous
It is an odd thing we do here in America. People who get wrapped up in scandal often become elevated to celebrity status.
You know the type of people I’m talking about – those who are caught up in sex or drug scandals, criminal suspects, or some other type of social misfit who’s every move is followed by reporters. Cameras are there as they hustle in to court, show up for their community service or just try to dodge embarrassing questions about their problematic behavior.
These folks become famous for being infamous.
Lewinsky: Never Forget WHY We Know of Her
Think Kato Kaelin whose dodgy testimony at the murder trial of O.J. Simpson got him branded as “hostile” to the prosecution. Monica Lewinsky, the White House intern who engaged in sexual relations with President Clinton. Florida murder defendant Casey Anthony acquitted of murdering her 2½ year old daughter. And, now the former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich who has admitted that he was, indeed, guilty of corruption after denying it for years.
I call them the Cult of the Disgraced and the Misplaced – a cult that attracts media honchos who are eager to exploit scandal for ratings. Hardly anyone in the cult seems to be out of bounds.
Kaelin's Testimony Was Suspect
After his 15 minutes of fame at the Simpson trial the mop-haired Kaelin got a radio show and appeared on several TV programs. Monica Lewinsky was chased by all the major networks, newspapers and magazines for her first exclusive description of illicit sex in the White House. (ABC’s Barbara Walters won that race snagging what turned out to be the highest rated news broadcast ever.) NBC vigorously pursued Casey Anthony and tried to fashion a book deal for her in exchange for her first TV interview. And, Blagojevich? Well, he fit right into this cult and eagerly took the bait when TV producers came to call.
Three years ago when federal prosecutors revealed they had recordings of the Governor (nicknamed: Blago) arrogantly attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, Blagojevich came out swinging. He vehemently denied asking for money in exchange for his appointment to the seat. He also denied that he lied to the FBI and had shaken down constituents for campaign contributions. He called it all a political conspiracy and then instead of hunkering down for the fight of his life Blago took meetings with top TV bigwigs.
Blago Went Hollywood For Money - and Influence?
Not even Blagojevich’s impeachment by the Illinois State Legislature in January 2009 slowed down the offers. NBC was knocking on the door for Blago to star in the “reality” show I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!
In a petition to the court in the spring of 2009 the disgraced governor, pleading poverty, asked the judge for permission to travel to Costa Rica for the filming. The request was denied. Ultimately, his wife, Patti, took the job and was seen on one episode eating a dead tarantula.
Humiliation heaped upon humiliation, I’d say.
Patti Blagojevich Eats Tarantula
But watching his wife forced to ingest insects to pay their bills didn’t seem to give Blago pause. After hosting a radio talk show he went on to make a deal to appear on The Celebrity Apprentice hosted by Donald Trump. More recently he was hired to be the face of Wonderful Pistachios which admitted they were looking “for some buzz” to attract people to their nuts. There’s a joke in there somewhere.
But this celebration and rewarding of the scandalous baffles me. Has the concept of shame ceased to exist in America? If I was criminally indicted or caught up in a disgraceful episode playing out publicly I think I’d hibernate until it passed. Although, I suppose the lure of the money and the idea that sins can be erased if one is seen on TV is too much temptation for some.
The job of media executives is to get ratings and apparently these kinds of shows – highlighting these kinds of people—attract viewers. Why? I’m at a loss to explain except maybe we watch the notorious to make sure we are nothing like them. Maybe we want to see them be shamed on some level.
After 3 Years of Lies Blago Admits All
When Rod Blagojevich appeared in court earlier this month for sentencing (he was found guilty of 17 corruption charges) he suddenly dropped his past denials and admitted his criminal behavior.
“I caused it all,” he said to the judge. “I was the governor and I should have known better. I am just incredibly sorry.” He was then sentenced to 14 years in prison. Blagojevich’s admission laid bare the phoniness of those who rationalized giving him a shot at the public airwaves by saying, “Well, he hasn’t been convicted of anything…”
We had all heard his voice on that recording made years earlier blatantly trying to trade his public position for personal gain. We knew the real story from the get-go.
Blago must serve almost a dozen years before becoming eligible for parole. Let’s hope by then we’ve all come to our senses and decide that TV programs featuring disturbed, addicted or criminal players are a simply not acceptable. Maybe by then TV executives will stop rewarding the least deserving among us.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Great story, Diane! I absolutely with what you say here. My biggest fear is that some of those mentioned here will, most likely, wind up with their own reality shows.
Great article! It is so weird. I often think of these people, and the notoriety they achieve when the “good guys” go unnoticed. Here are a few more villains in one vein or another: Kobe Bryant. Tim McVeigh.
Tom Edwards.
Remember Columbine? Which victims’ names do you remember?
If you didn’t read about it every day here in Colorado where I live, I’ll bet you remember the names Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris.
So for goodness sake, these are the children who died at Columbine High: Danny Rohrbaugh, Cassie Bernal, Steve Kurnow, Corey DePooter, Kellie Fleming, Matt Kechter, Dave Sanders, Daniel Mauser, Isaiah Shoels, Rachel Scott, John Tomlin, Kyle Velasquez,
Lauren Townsend. And yes…I had to look most of them up.
Facebook Friend Christa Maria writes:
” ?…I would say that we subconsciously wish to divert what is going on in our own lives and focus on {e.g., misfits, addicts, criminals, etc.) public scandal. If we are none of the above mentioned, it makes US feel a tad better…”
Facebook Reader Henshi Gorodetsky writes:
“Appeals to our “baser nature”….and we get to look like angels in comparison as well…And would anyone watch GNN- a good new network..I think not. Journalism is all about sensationalism and ratings.”
Facebook Friend Eric Vaughan writes:
“When you think about it, those stories are advertisements, often political. OJ Simpson is a spokesperson for those who are against black people (and how they usually vote.) Rod Blagovich and Monica Lewinsky are spokespeople decrying the values of the Democratic Party. Casey Anthony uses her negative star power to call for the destruction of the Bill of Rights. Would I pay any of these people to teach a class? No. Do I enjoy Inside Edition? Yes. If I had never read a book after high school, unfortunately those stories would be my guides. That’s where it gets ugly.”
Facebook Friend Bill Voinovich writes:
“Personally, I don’t care to watch the news when it comes to giving all those crumbs ANY coverage….They should publicize it when they’re arrested, when the trial starts, and give them lots of coverage when they go to PRISON, but, unfortunately, probably 80% of all those clowns pretty much get off scot-free………..”
Facebook Friend Fred Mizzi writes:
“…Or house arrest.”
Carol: Why would Kobe Bryant be on that list? I don’t think he has done anything that bad to warrant him being on this list of people. For the most part, he is a quite successful and recognized athlete, who does a lot of charity work with the homeless and children on the side.
Many are fascinated with maladjusted people. It sells, pure and simple. So it’s little wonder what the impetus for enabling these folks turns out to be and they’re grateful for the attention. I can’t believe anyone would give Newt Gingrich the time of day. There’s exceptions of course, OJ Simpson being the most prominent but as you pointed out, the folks at the periphery get some attention and bucks thrown their way.
The solution is simple, give them none or make their name synonymous with ridicule or disgrace . Whether it’s practical is another matter. There are always folks out there trying to make a quick buck on this as much as there will always be people who will supply the money. It’s not just the TV executives, it’s many others in the media. But someone has to instill the right values in people to prevent this from being profitable. That means giving fair time to the other side.
Facebook Friend Dawn Moran Machroli Searle writes:
“I avoid watching news programs except for GOP Debates. The news in general is too depressing. I’d rather learn about our next presidential candidates so I’ll feel comfortable in choosing one.”
The celebrity status reached by the infamous can only be obtained through excessive media coverage. Nancy Grace turned Casey Anthony into a national figure, otherwise she would be notable only in her immediate community. Same with Scott Peterson, Drew Peterson and other unknowns who become known only because of media coverage. The O J Simpsons and Rod Blagojevich types who already have a level of exposure are perhaps destined for excessive media coverage, but the others should go through their trials and then be destined for obscurity certainly not fame and then their chances of cashing in on the hurt they have caused others will be extremely minimized.
Jeff Liddell, I completely agree with you, I dont think anyone can explain it better than you just did.