Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Sure, ousted Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich was the big talk of NBC's press day last week when he showed up to promote the upcoming "I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" That is, even though it turned out he can't do the show because a judge barred him from traveling to Costa Rica for shooting while he's facing corruption charges — including the allegation he tried to sell President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate Seat.

But that doesn't mean Blagojevich was the only celeb on the scene.

Contestant Janice Dickinson, who's never been one to keep her opinions to herself, told us, "I'm confused. I don't get it," when asked why he was there. It certainly didn't help boost the egos of the other contestants — Stephen Baldwin, John Salley, Torrie Wilson, and Sanjaya Malakar — considering none of the reporters had questions for anyone other than Blagojevich.

"I suppose it's good press for the show, and I think the NBC executives know what they're doing, but obviously we paled in his shadow, and nobody wanted to hear what my thoughts were on Prop. 8 or Sanjaya's new hair technique. They wanted to know what's going on in the public eye right now. My question is, 'Is he going to sell his spot on TV?'" Ah, now that's the Janice we know and love!

Dickinson, who mingled at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena with the rest of NBC's stars, also exclusively revealed to our column that she will not be returning to her show "Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency." "My show was not picked up for the fifth season on Oxygen. Thank God because now I'm able to do this show, and there are other opportunities, which we can't talk about, but as soon as the show's over, hang on to your hats for more Janice!" Oh, we plan on it!

THE BIG SCREEN SCENE: Stephen Root is anxiously awaiting word on the release date of "Unthinkable," the film he recently wrapped starring Samuel L. Jackson. "It's a perfect time for this movie. I hope they get it out sooner rather than later," he notes. "Unthinkable" is about torture.

According to Root, "Michael Sheen is absolutely amazing as the torturee. He gives an incredible performance."

Root was among the celebrities on hand for the Prism Awards the other night at the Beverly Hills Hotel. His "King of the Hill" series was honored at the event — in which industry members are recognized for depicting substance abuse and/or mental illness issues in accurate, awareness-raising ways. He admits it's been an adjustment saying farewell to the long-running animated show. "It's more than strange, because it's like losing a family after being with everybody for 13 years. We've seen kids grow up and families come together," he notes.

The ever-busy character actor is currently on the big screen in "The Soloist" with Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx. He also has George Clooney's December release "Men Who Stare at Goats"— in which he plays a "New Age" soldier attempting to utilize paranormal powers against the enemy.

ALSO: Hector Elizondo was at the Prism Awards — he's glad to support accurate, non-exploitive depictions of addiction and mental illness, he told us — and mentioned the fact he's in talks about starring in another series. However, with the disappointment of the first-class "Cane" still rather fresh, "I'm not looking to get back on the horse right away," he admitted. He's been having a ball playing shrink to Tony Shalhoub's "Monk" and performing his recurring part on "Grey's Anatomy" — two high-quality shows, he points out. He's planning to do Arthur Miller's "The Price" on Broadway in the fall. And there are a couple of Garry Marshall films in their nascent stages that will no doubt give him more to do. As you may be aware, Hector always appears in Garry's films; he's his good luck actor.

CELEB SEEN: Kim Kardashian of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" fame got quite a bit of attention the other night when she arrived at the hot New York City club M2 in a small black Honda with seven people squeezed inside. "Even a taxi would have been classier," sniffed the doorman as the group spilled out. Others partying in the club that night included Deon Sanders, Keyshawn Johnson and model Chanel Iman.

With reports by Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.