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We’re used to seeing washed-up celebrities attempt to stage comebacks by appearing on reality television. But politicians? The news that Rod Blagojevich has agreed to appear on NBC’s “I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!” — if a judge permits him to travel to Costa Rica for filming — made us wonder what other public figures could have used reality programming for career rehab.

Bernie Madoff on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”: Maybe he could make back some of the nearly $65 million he defrauded from thousands of investors.

Joan of Arc on “Survivor”: Instead of being burned at the stake, the French heroine would, well, survive.

Napoleon on “Real World”: He may have conquered Europe, but how would he have done in a house filled with self-obsessed twentysomethings?

Henry VIII on “Celebrity Fit Club”: Maybe if he had lost some of that extra poundage, he would have been in a better mood and not so quick to cut off the heads of his wives.

Bill Clinton on “Temptation Island”: We could be talking about the temptation to reap post-presidential cash. But we’re not. If we have to explain this one further, you weren’t paying attention.

William Tecumseh Sherman on “Road Rules”: Imagine what the man who marched destructively to the sea could do in the company of college kids in a Winnebago.

Sen. Joe McCarthy on “Big Brother”: Having the tables turned on the anti-Communist demagogue would be must-see-TV.

McClatchy Newspapers