Nation Robbed of Blago Reality Show

Right around the year 2000, the American dream of a home, a family, and a white picket fence died and was replaced by the American dream of a scandal, nationwide notoriety, and a television reality show. Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich stayed true to his American dream when he got thrown out of office for being a villainously corrupt politician. He dutifully appeared on all the news shows, as well as some non-newsy talk shows, and even landed a book deal and a guest spot on a radio station.

He was performing nothing more than his patriotic duty by attempting to appear on a reality TV show -- the esteemed NBC program "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!"

But a federal judge crushed his dreams by denying him permission to go to Costa Rica, where the show will be taped.

Blagojevich made it clear that he only wanted to do the program in order to support his children, not because he wanted to spend a few weeks in a sunny Central American country with a gaggle of other Z-listers.

"It's not my first choice, but it's a living," he told reporters. He could have earned a big ol' sack of cash -- up to $123,000 if he didn't get kicked off the show.

Now he has been denied the right to make a living by some judge, who wants him to stick around to "read the government's evidence" against him in his upcoming court case.

The loss is both Blagojevich's and the nation's: lost income for him, lost joy and learning for the rest of us, and lost dreams for all.

Sara K. Smith writes for NBC and Wonkette.