I don’t know who’s whispering advice about publicity to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but they better stop it. Now. It might be a year befoe we know whether or not the politican committed truly criminal acts, but there’s one thing we can conclude right now: He’s guilty of being a horrible talk-show guest. A week of media appearances in odd places, including “The View” and “The Rachel Maddow Show,” climaxed with a long chat on “The Late Show With David Letterman,” where he attempted to both ingratiate himself to the host and try to top him. Both were utter failures. Letterman seemed so perplexed by the appearance that he could barely get off a good line. He just sat there flabbergasted for three or four segments while Blagojevich continued to act like he was a movie star who was popping by to promote a movie.

Of course, Blaggo isn’t the first public figure to try to change their tarnished image by appearing on a “non-news” talk show. Here’s five examples I came up with. Add you own!

Lester Maddox on “The Dick Cavett Show” (Dec. 18, 1970): The former Georgia governor made headlines when he walked off this episode during a conversation about segregation. He returned a few nights later and, as a joke, Cavett did the walking this time. Maddox then led the band in a version of “I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do.” The musical world might have cringed, but the original moment did inspire the great Randy Newman tune, “Rednecks.”

Hugh Grant on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (July 10, 1995): The high-water mark for on-air apologies. After being caught with a prostitute, the then red-hot actor could have waited on the sidelines for a year. Instead, he stammered and sweet-talked his way back into the public’s hearts by explaining “what the hell he was thinking.” The appearance gave Leno his first significant ratings win against Letterman - and he never looked back. 

Monica Lewinsky on “The Tom Green Show” (Feb. 14, 2000): You would think that after her affair with Bill Clinton, the former intern would try to put the past behind her and do anything to avoid attention. Ah, but you’re forgetting how powerful the allure of the spotlight can be. That’s the only way I can explain why Lewinsky started dating offbeat comic Green and appearing on his show, culminating in a visit to his parents in Canada. In comparison, the stained dress was less embarassing.

Michael Richards on “The Late Show With David Letterman” (Nov. 20, 2006): The audience didn’t know whether to titter, applaud or gasp when the former “Seinfeld” cutup made an apology via satellite, a few days after his tirade at a comedy club.. “Stop laughing,” said Jerry Seinfeld, who was by Letterman’s side. “It’s not funny.” No, it wasn’t funny. Wasn’t poignant, either. Richards’ image still hasn’t recovered. Maybe he should have sung, “I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do.”

Alec Baldwin on “The View” (April 27, 2007): Baldwin took a lot of criticism for his ranting phone message to his tween daughter. His pain showed in an awkward, maudlin, deadly serious appearance with the gals in which he pretty said he was going to quit “30 Rock.” The ultra-serious approach seems to have worked. He’s won mega awards since and will once again host “SNL” later this month.

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