55 replies to this topic

[TWoP Gadget]

The wife of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and daughter of a Chicago alderman, Patti is a licensed real estate broker and appraiser who owns her own real estate company. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in economics.

[Snark Shark]

I may be sick.

Uh. No wait. No "may" about it.

[soymilk]

The best part is that she likely will have no idea who most of the other "celebrities" are, and this naivete will lead her to becoming one of Janice's first meals.

[Snark Shark]

I bet she will bond with Sanjaya!

Okay, probably not. But it would be FUNNY!

Really, with the likes of Janice and Frangela there, can this woman expect to be treated all that well? (Not that I really care...)

I suppose Stephen Baldwin could go either way with her. He's an ass, but he could go all religo and come out with the "Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone" type behavior in regards to her, which of course for him is really just an excuse for him to war with someone ELSE. On the other hand, Mrs. Blago was apparently fired from her job working for a fundamentalist fundraising job for, well... pretty obvious reasons and little Stevie might dislike her for that (for the record, those tapes of Blago feature Mrs. Blago prominently on them--she knew exactly what he was doing and is heard cursing a blue streak, just like her husband in several of them).

[oddballgeek]

The best part is that she likely will have no idea who most of the other "celebrities" are

Cause people are going to know who [i]she[/] is?

[Snark Shark]

Cause people are going to know who [i]she[/] is?

Actually anyone who reads a newspaper knows who she is. That doesn't make her a celebrity, but it DOES make her "famous". Or maybe "infamous".

[mooncreek]

It made him famous. She's just lucky he has an unusual last name so she could get on this show.

Since she's only on this to clear her husband, I wonder if she had second thoughts when hearing Spencer would vote him for President?

[Muwarr90]

I kept hoping they'd reveal the "celebrities" charities. I assume Patti is playing for everybody's favorite charity, The "Rod Blagojevich Legal Defense Fund", Helping down on their luck corrupt politicians with surreal hair for the past 6 months.

[blackwing]

No kidding. She gets her $80,000 for doing the show, but what charity is she playing for? Since when have the Blagojeviches done anything unless there was a personal motivation involved?

From the episode thread:

to hear her (Patty B) campaign speech on how all the kids in Illinois have health care.

I laughed when Patti B was talking about the health care plan for kids, because she's just so delusional and puts a positive spin on everything Milorad did. From the way she talks, Captain Hairbrush is the champion of all poor kids everywhere. Here's some background on Patti's esteemed husband to provide some context for her comments....

He did introduce some initiative that called for Illinois to provide health care for all children, regardless of income or immigration status. (This is probably one of the reasons why Illinois has one of highest illegal alien populations in the country, but that's a topic for a message board elsewhere on the internet...). The program basically is health insurance for lower and middle class children and the premiums are kind of based on a "pay what you can afford" system.

So yes, this is probably one of the only good things that Captain Hairbrush did while in office. I do think she can cite this as a positive for him, but what about everything else? She didn't seem to mention the fact that he tried to introduce universal healthcare (for all ages) in Illinois and would pay for it with the largest tax increase in state history. When it became apparent it was not going to pass, he told his supporters to vote against it and then tried to save face by saying that he felt good about it.

She also failed to mention how after this glorious defeat, he subsequently tried to enact universal healthcare for lower and middle class families by bypassing the legislature and trying to use an executive order. The legislature blocked it because there was no discussion of how this was going to be paid for.

It sickens me that Patti is trying to use this stupid show to garner sympathy for her poor husband, who apparently is a victim of a huge conspiracy. That said, if I continue to tune in, I am primarily watching this show only for her and to see what stupid things keep coming out of her mouth.

[ThatGrrl]

I kept hoping they'd reveal the "celebrities" charities. I assume Patti is playing for everybody's favorite charity, The "Rod Blagojevich Legal Defense Fund", Helping down on their luck corrupt politicians with surreal hair for the past 6 months.

Here are the charities. Naturally, she's playing for the Children's Cancer Center. Because the Blago's are all about the children.

[Muwarr90]

I just read in the Chicago Tribune that the Childrens Cancer Center was not the original choice for her charity. She had originally wanted the money to go to Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, but Bear Necessities refused the offer.

"With so much press going on about the governor, we want to be cautious," said Bear Necessities spokeswoman Courtney Krupa, in explaining why it declined the offer. "We want to be a respectable organization and not hurt any of the people that support us and that we work with."

In other words "We don't want money from people who tried to screw a Childrens hospital!"

[oh shizzle]

In other words "We don't want money from people who tried to screw a Childrens hospital!"

Wow! You have to be a pretty horrible person for a non-profit organization to turn down free money that you raised for them.

[JakeyIsSusan]

I'm not at all putting aside her present scandals, but I do get a kick out of watching Patti. Amidst all of these larger-than-life celebrities, she seems the most akin to a "normal" person being put out there. Like your mom, only if your dad was a disgraced political figure with a terrible haircut.

[Snark Shark]

I'm not at all putting aside her present scandals, but I do get a kick out of watching Patti. Amidst all of these larger-than-life celebrities, she seems the most akin to a "normal" person being put out there. Like your mom, only if your dad was a disgraced political figure with a terrible haircut.

Even still, didn't it give you a moment of viscous satisfaction to see her caught in rapids, shuttling away at high speeds with her arms waving in desperation?

Really, of all things though that made me suspicious of how "put on"/faked this show may be. That was a perfect device to both give viewers vicarious satisfaction at seeing their scandal lady punished, and yet also the start of a road to making people feel sorry for her. And as fast as she was floating away, it was also suspicious that we were told that one of her fellow celebrities was near enough to retrieve her. The speed she APPEARED to be going? That made no sense whatsoever.

[Muwarr90]

I assume Patti's story about the "crazy old aunt" who ran against Rod was a dig at Judy Barr Topinka? Cracks like that will boost the ratings in Illinois as all of the state's politicians tune in to see if they are being ragged on by Mrs. Unindicted Co-conspirator.

[evilandproud]

I assume Patti's story about the "crazy old aunt" who ran against Rod was a dig at Judy Barr Topinka

I immediately thought the same thing and then laughed very loudly. I really wanted to hate Patti but she is one of my favorites on this show. I am glad that the guys chose to grant her immunity because I think she would have gone home. I think she can garner enough support if she stays on for another week to make a good run at winning the whole thing.

[TV Divaqueen]

Wonder when Mrs. Former First Lady will bring up that her goofy husband also gave Free public transportation rides to Seniors. Again he did this via Executive Order, with no way to pay for it, and my favorite part is that there are no income guidelines in it. So the millionaire 60+ man or woman riding the "L" to work in the morning, doesn't have to pay, but the single working mom, taking her 3 kids to school in the morning does have to pay.

[backformore]

And then she can mention that free health insurance to all Illinois kids would work better if the state actually paid the providers (doctors, clinics) who take the insurance card that he gave away so freely. You can't just provide insurance, it has to be backed up with money to pay those bills.

Here's an interview that might interest people: The "crazy old aunt" replies

She brings up the Public transportation to seniors issue as well. Blago was popular when he was giving away services, but who is paying for all those services?

[Mischievious]

As a resident of Chicagoland, I feel like I should not like Patti at all, but she is one of my favorites on the show. I think it is because on the show she hasn't done anything repulsive, acted horrible, complained and has been game for everything thrown at her, at least from what we've seen.

She and Torrie are my favorite ladies left on.

Edited by Mischievious, Jun 7, 2009 @ 11:52 AM.

[pennben]

I think it is because she hasn't done anything repulsive, acted horrible, complained and has been game for everything thrown at her, at least from what we've seen.

I assume you are talking about her performance on the show....not in real life. If I'm mistaken, please allow me the chance to rebut your presumptions.

[TWoP Roxy]

Seeing as how we're all posting on the show forums, let's assume that and move on, thanks.

[Baba Yaga]

I'm surprised no one has menioned Blago's appearance on Larry King, in which he whined that Patti took this gig to "put food on the table." He said the celebrities are paid a fee and that the first charity of their choice did not want to be associated with Patti on the show and politely refused their support.

I actually like her low-key, no-diva, no-drama trip. Good for her.

[barkley]

If I didn't know about the reason why she's a "celebrity", I would like Patti. I think if her goal was to repair her image by doing this show, she's doing a good job.

[blackwing]

I threw up in my mouth a lot when she was talking about how Milorad is a "great man". Great at what? Swindling the people of Illinois? Trying to find ways of cashing in on "a f***ing valuable thing that you just don't give away for nothing".

I don't have much sympathy for her and her "poor me and my miserable life" speech. What happened to all the income they earned? Did they not have any savings? He earned his salary as governor, and she as a realtor received huge commissions on those real estate closings which were funnelled to her. Now she's whining that they took away her security detail? Why should the state continue to waste money on security for Captain Hair? The part where she said she has to make her kid's lunches, presumably because they can't afford to spend the $4 to buy lunch at school, was particularly hilarious. Boo hoo. I make and pack my own lunch too.

[Muwarr90]

The "poor me, I'm not rich" stuff from Patti isn't at all surprising. The criminal complaint against the "great man" she is married to makes it clear that they were in it not only for campaign cash, but to personally enrich themselves.

A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich, a Democrat, was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois' U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining:

A substantial salary for himself at a either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions;

Placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year;

Promises of campaign funds – including cash up front; and

A cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.

To them "Public Service" was all about using his position to get alot of money without actually working for it. I don't feel the slightest bit of sympathy for her. In fact everytime she throws her little pitty party I enjoy watching whatever minor discomfort this show inflicts on her even more.

[dwarf74]

Yeah, as a resident of Illinois, I can basically guarantee her husband is as crooked as they come. It's one thing both Republicans and Democrats in Illinois can agree on.

With that said, she's probably the only woman on the show who's behaved like a real person. Maybe Torrie, too.

Still, I kind of throw up in my mouth a little every time I hear what a "victim" Rod is. Seriously, the revisionism she's throwing into the public record is rather disgusting. Among other things, he was given plenty of opportunity to present a case to the state legislature. He ignored all his opportunities to do so and went on Larry King instead. His lawyer, IIRC, quit based on complaints that his client wasn't even listening to him. There's no conspiracy of "special interests" or whatnot - it's just fabricated spin.

Rod Blagojevich is a slimeball.

[onemorewatcher]

I can appreciate that Patti is trying hard in the challenges and actually being a team player when it comes to work around the camp, but every time she opens her mouth and starts on that "poor me" rant that she has all I hear is "blah blah blah blah blah." I cannot garner any sympathy for her at all. I don't understand why her family is in such dire straits. It's not like her husband had a high paying job for a long time or anything. Don't they have savings? If she really wants to win this, I think that she should quit bitching about how hard things have been for her family since it was discovered that her husband is a criminal. It's making me hate her even more than I already did.

[ITCJon]

Call me crazy, but I'm liking Patti - espcially compared to the remaining airhead model/bimbettes.

[geriberry]

I am glad that the guys chose to grant her immunity because I think she would have gone home. I think she can garner enough support if she stays on for another week to make a good run at winning the whole thing.

Come on, the producers have set this up. They wanted to keep Patti around so that the audience in Illinois would keep watching. However, the ratings have dropped dramatically in Illinois, so now they're not protecting the foul-mouthed former Mrs. Governor.

[illinidiva]

Yeah, as a resident of Illinois, I can basically guarantee her husband is as crooked as they come. It's one thing both Republicans and Democrats in Illinois can agree on.

I can count the number of uncorrupt politicians in IL on one hand. Everyone in IL is corrupt. The Blagos are just more open about their corruption than many of their colleagues. In an odd way, it is actually incredibly refreshing that they were so open and truthful about their desire to loot the state. I really cannot blame them for any of this; the whole Blago mess could have been ended if IL residents stopped voting for corrupt politicians.

As for Patti, I do admire her willingness to pitch in and be a good sport concerning the challenges, but her woe is me speeches are ridiculous. Talk about the nile not just being a river in Egypt. Her husband is a ridiculously corrupt politician who used his office to enrich himself. She should really try directing her anger toward him rather than whining to the world in general.