As if reviving a failed reality show isn’t hard enough, those involved with NBC’s new version of I’m Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here now have something unexpected to deal with.
The peacock network announced in April that they were bringing back I’m Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here for a limited run. The show has been running in the UK for years but a US version didn’t find much success on ABC in 2003. Contestants for this version include D-list celebrities like Melissa Rivers, Alana Stewart, Nikki Schieler Ziering, Robin Leach, Bruce Jenner, Downtown Julie Brown, Maria Conchita Alonso, Tyson Beckford, and John Melendez.
NBC’s version is scheduled to air four days a week, from June 1st until the 15th. The newest batch of “celebrities” include Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (The Hills), NBA personality John Salley, Janice Dickinson (America’s Next Top Model), Sanjaya Malakar (American Idol), Stephen Baldwin (Celebrity Apprentice), and professional wrestler Torrie Wilson.
Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was going to be part of the show but a federal judge ruled that he couldn’t go to Costa Rica for filming. “It’s way too soon. I don’t think this defendant in all honesty… fully understands the position he finds himself in,” said U.S. District Judge James Zagel. Blagojevich vowed to help support the show whether he was allowed to take part or not.
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The indicted politician may now consider himself lucky that he can’t make the trip. At least a third of the 60 worker crew who are in Costa Rica preparing for the show have come down diarrhea and vomiting after drinking some local water. As of today, none of the contestants are reported to be ill.
That disturbing news doesn’t seem to have discouraged Pratt, Montag’s husband. He released a new rap song on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show today, entitled I’m a Celebrity. The song directly plugs the couple’s upcoming appearance on the NBC show. The rap lyrics include, “Baby, I get paid… I don’t volunteer… I’m a celebrity… Get me outta here.” He also says, “Baby I watch TV… And run the Internet… Been around the world… And still I’m not finished yet.” An interesting way to get votes to sttay on the show?
If you don’t catch the show on NBC, you’ll be able to find them on MTV, home of The Hills. The cable network has made a deal to recycle the installments in a marathon run beginning Sunday, June 7th.
It might be good for ratings if some of the contestants did come down sick! Injuries work wonders for Dancing with the Stars!