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Mrs. Blago Thrives in the Jungle

Illinois viewers groan as ex-gov's wife munches tarantuala, discusses hubby

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 6, 2009 6:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – Patti Blagojevich is proving to be more popular in the Costa Rican jungle than in Illinois, the New York Times reports. Blagojevich's fellow D-list celebs on reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here voted to make the wife of disgraced ex-governor Rod Blagojevich immune from elimination by viewer vote after the first week, although many viewers in her home state aren't impressed by her antics.

"I think she should be put in prison,” said one Chicago viewer unmoved by Blagojevich's jungle feats, which have included eating a tarantula. “How about exporting some dignity to America?” Blagojevich—in between bouts of defending her husband and bashing old enemies—has emerged as an unlikely "mom" figure on the show, helping counsel upset contestants and settle disputes.

[Images (2)]

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Patti Blagojevich is taking part in NBC's reality TV jungle challenge "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" (NBC)

Then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti leave a downtown office building in Chicago in December last year. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, file)

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Patti Blagojevich flounders in a jungle river on "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" (FNCBlogger)

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Mrs. Blago Thrives in the Jungle