Why Are We Giving TV Shows To Criminals?
 Friday, April 17th, 2009  by Connie T.

Reality television shows that offer mindless entertainment are one thing. Giving television contracts to people who are most notorious for their crimes is quite another. You've likely heard that NBC has recruited former Governor Rod Blagojevich for an upcoming reality series called I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.

The show is set to air in the summertime, and Blagojevich - once ranked America's Least Popular Governor (pre-investigation) - is set to profit $80,000 per week on the show; that is, if a federal judge permits him to travel out of the country to Costa Rica where the Z-list "celebrities" will compete in a Survivor-esque competition, which is rumored to be starring Geraldo Rivera, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and Janice Dickinson as well (give us a break!).

And then there's Michael Vick, who is scheduled to get out of prison on July 20th after serving time for a federal felony involving illegal interstate dog fighting.

The day he's released, the cameras will be rolling, paying Vick at least $600,000 to start for an unscripted reality show about his new life as a $10/hour construction worker trying to get back into the NFL.

Much like two months ago (albeit in reverse) when MTV premiered a reality show produced by and starring Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., better known as rapper T.I. - titled "T.I.'s Road to Redemption" - documenting the days leading up to T.I.'s sentencing for felonious gun charges that put him behind bars for 1 year.

Remember the Son of Sam law, designed to prevent criminals from profiting from their crimes by, for example, selling their stories to publishers? It looks like the laws need to be updated to address an era of reality junkies.

True, in Blagojevich's case, his impeachment and pending federal charges will likely not be discussed on the show (but who knows?). Though certainly far fewer people knew who the former governor was before the scandal hit the fan.

In the other two examples, however, the shoe fits.

Why is our media intent on shelling out money to felons? Even if rehabilitation is involved, the greater pictures shows that a malicious act can be serious enough to warrant daily headlines and incessant coverage, and be transformed into publicity, paying contracts, and an hour-long entertainment show. Instead of conveying consequences, our mainstream media promotes anything for ratings, anything for a buck.


1. Tell it to the judge: Judge James B. Zagel, that is, through his secretary via e-mail here. Judge Zagel is the one who would need to grant Blagojevich permission to leave the country during his corruption trial to film a reality show in tropical paradise.

2. Contact MTV, NBC, and any other shows that are airing similar programs, and inform them of their responsibility to set a positive example for our current and future generations!

3. It kind of goes without saying, but if you disagree with it, don't watch it!

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