Blagojevich makes TV rounds as impeachment trial set to begin

CNN) -- Impeachment proceedings against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich are scheduled to begin Monday in the state Senate, but the embattled governor is expected to skip the trial and instead appear on several television programs.Blagojevich is facing federal corruption allegations, including trying to trade or sell the Senate seat that became vacant after Barack Obama was elected president.

The second-term Democratic governor has denied wrongdoing.

In his first live prime-time interview, Blagojevich will appear Monday on CNN's "Larry King Live."

He spoke with ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday morning and appeared later on ABC's "The View."

On "Good Morning America," Blagojevich said he considered appointing Oprah Winfrey as Obama's Senate replacement. "She seemed to be someone who had helped Barack Obama in a significant way become president," he said. "She was obviously someone with a much broader bully pulpit than other senators." The governor said Winfrey was one of several candidates he had considered for the position.

Blagojevich eventually picked former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to replace Obama. Senate Democrats initially disputed seating Burris due to the cloud over Blagojevich, and Illinois' secretary of state refused to sign off on the appointment.

But Illinois' highest court validated Burris' appointment earlier this month, and Senate Democratic leaders recognized it.