Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, having lost his Texas House seat after being indicted for campaign finance violations, is currently displaying his skills in cutting a rug on Dancing with the Stars. Impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was cast on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, but his judge wouldn’t let him travel to Costa Rica while out on bail awaiting trial on corruption charges. Instead, he sent his wife Patti to compete in his place.
With two indicted politicians having been cast on reality shows, I think we may be seeing the start of a trend. There are plenty of disgraced public officials available to display their skills and egos on the ever-expanding list of reality shows out there. Let’s help the casting directors out by suggesting other scandal-bound politicians who could grace our televisions on something more light-hearted than Meet the Press.
For a start, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford would be a natural for The Amazing Race, with his skills at hiking the Appalachian Trail and flying to Buenos Aires, both at the same time. Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, another expert in extra-curricular travel for extra-marital purposes could be his partner.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who resigned after surviving the Troopergate and per diem payment scandals, will undoubtedly be the first one they cast when they get around to Real Housewives of Wasilla. Her fellow Alaskan, former Senator Ted Stevens, who lost his re-election bid after his (subsequently reversed) conviction for false financial reports, could really use a spot on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, now that he doesn’t have government contractors to do his free home remodeling.
So, who else could flourish in the world of reality television after crashing in politics?
