Judge Bars Rod Blagojevich from Reality TV

Impeached Illinois govenor Rod Blagojevich has been denied a stint on a reality show. (AP Images)"]

Rod Blagojevich has been trying to pimp out his scandal with some serious media whoring. And now, Judge James Zagel has shot down Blagojevich's latest attempt bid for attention. Blagojevich was set to appear on the NBC show, I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! which so far, stars Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt and Sanjaya Malakar.

Filming was scheduled to begin in Costa Rica and Blagojevich was seriously needing the cash with the impending legal fees he's facing. According to a defense motion, Blagojevich could have made $123,000 if he'd appeared on the show. However, permission to leave the country was denied for the former politician with the judge saying, "I do not have confidence that things will not go astray if I modify bond conditions."

NBC released a statement: "NBC is disappointed in the court's decision today regarding Rod Blagojevich's participation on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! but excited about the casting announcement for the show this Friday. There are no plans to move the show to a location in the United States."

Blagojevich has pled not guilty to 17 charges including racketeering and extortion.