Rod Blagojevich takes on Elvis, unemployment, last remaining shred of dignity

No one takes karaoke more seriously than EW.com. And being an entertainment site, not a political one, we’re going to judge former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s recent public performance of Elvis’ “Treat Me Nice” — apparently a paid appearance for a video production company — strictly on its technical merits. Take a look:

First off, Blago, to paraphrase the great Randy Jackson: For me, for you, not a great song choice, dude. It was out of your register. (Some karaoke machines have pitch adjustment; look into it, Rod.) Worse, it was not a crowd-pleaser. If you want to go Elvis — and I recommend avoiding the true greats when you can, as you’ll always suffer by comparison — I’d go “A Little Less Conversation” or “Jailhouse Rock” (both irresistably upbeat, and less vocally challenging). But why not something a little more self-aware, resonant with your, um, situation? Two good ones from our own list of go-tos: Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” — people love when dudes sing a traditionally female song, and that would show a little fighting spirit — or Green Day’s “Basket Case,” hip, easy-to-sing, and not too close to home. (That second verse might be a little on the nose for Spitzer, for instance, but there aren’t a lot of songs about selling the vacated senatorial seats of newly elected African-American presidents.) But, hey, definite props for working the crowd, turning up the collar, and incorporating a Fabio impersonator.

What do you think, PopWatchers? How’d the former Gov do? What song would you pick for him instead?