Television News

Celebs to Compete on Revived 'Apprentice'

NBC Also Announces Jerry Seinfeld's Return to Thursday Night

Posted: 2007-07-16 17:44:34

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (July 16) - Check your publicist at the boardroom door - NBC is inviting celebrities to try to wow Donald Trump in the next version of "The Apprentice."

And while it would make for a marquee matchup, don't expect Rosie O'Donnell to be among them.

Getty Images

Rosie O'Donnell has declined Donald Trump's invitation to join the cast of 'The Apprentice.'

"It will never happen in this lifetime or beyond," said Cindi Berger, O'Donnell's spokeswoman.

The network announced Monday that the game show will be back in the middle of next season with the celebrity twist, the winner donating proceeds to charity instead of going to work for The Donald.

NBC had canceled "The Apprentice" due to low ratings when it announced its next season schedule in May. But the network hired Ben Silverman as its new entertainment chief shortly thereafter, and he called on Trump and executive producer Mark Burnett to revive the show.

No contestants were named in NBC's announcement. The network said it was looking for people with entreprenurial abilities in the areas of sports, entertainment and fashion.

Which, of course, raised the question of O'Donnell, Trump's nemesis, maybe getting involved.

Photo Gallery: TV's Picks of the Week

NBC/ABC

Hollywood's been buzzing with the possibility of a writers' strike, but how will it affect you? Read our primer on what the writers' strike means for TV fans.

1 of 15

"It would be great to have Rosie on `The Apprentice,"' Silverman said at a morning Television Critics Association news conference. "Donald personally told me to extend an invitation to her."

NBC entertainment co-chairman Marc Graboff echoed Silverman's comment, saying "we'd love her" to be on the show.

O'Donnell's spokeswoman, however, quickly put a freeze on the idea. She did confirm, though, that the former talk host and "The View" panelist was in talks with NBC about other projects.

NBC also announced Monday that it would be getting into some mind games for another series. It has signed a deal with magician Criss Angel and Uri Geller for a competition where they will search for the next great mentalist.

What Is the Deal With Star Cameos?

Also, Jerry Seinfeld is returning to NBC next season - if only briefly. The network said Seinfeld would appear as a guest on the Oct. 4 season opener of "30 Rock," coming back to his Thursday-night turf.

"I was thrilled to be asked to guest star on NBC's hit comedy '30 Rock,"' Seinfeld said. "I think it's going to be so refreshing for me to be playing myself in a show that has nothing to do with neurotic, dysfunctional New York characters."

NBC also announced Monday that it has signed a series deal with producer Norman Lear of "All in the Family Fame." The show will be a one-hour drama-comedy about the battle of the sexes and will be set on Wall Street. The network is "circling" a-list actors and actresses for the show, Silverman said.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2007-07-16 16:37:05

Read Related Blogs and Articles

Must Read?

54 %

46 %

0 VOTES

Recent Comments

Post Your Own

1 - 10 of 314

314 comments

gandgreptiles 02:53:19 PM Jul 19 2007

Report This!

It is amazing we have nothing better to do than read and write comments about people who have no part in our own lives .. Everyone take care of yourself your family and your friends. This stuff only makes these "celebrities" more money Why don't they give some money or help to single parents write about us...
Hell it took me 11 and 1/2 yrs to fianally recieve a $65.08 check for child support and thats what the goverment needs to look at more closely.. Could go on but, why no one listens ...We care more about movie stars or celebrities than we do about what mistakes our govermnent makes..Wonder how much money this will make me??

dewcros 08:50:43 PM Jul 18 2007

Report This!

hukkabee said:::
The only people who don't like Rosie are Republicans because she's not a George Bush FAn.

OH yeah,, that HAS to be the right answer!! Another stupid idiot... Get a clue,, democrats probably don't WANT morons like you on their side...

dewcros 08:43:07 PM Jul 18 2007

Report This!

HEY kennegord9

just wondering..... what are "respodents" you stupid idiot??? Why would the democrats even want YOU on their side??? And Rosie wouldn't know the truth if it jumped up and bit her in the *(%^#$!!!!

kennegord9 01:06:32 PM Jul 17 2007

the comments from most of the respodents must be from republicans.they are all hateful responces.love you rosie keep telling the truth.

imawomanalive 11:39:46 PM Jul 17 2007

Report This!

DonaleD Trump is NOT

shamrock2u 11:29:47 PM Jul 17 2007

Report This!

If I never saw that fat, ugly, queer's pig faced, pig body and pig life style again it would be the high light of my life. Your partner Rosie, really loves you it's not that she's after money. Can anyone imagine putting your tongue down Rosie's throat, she'd eat it.Your kids that you bought are living in a house of sin, you're going to hell. Rosie, you are with a woman because there isn't a man on earth that would have anything to do with you not even for money. Money only goes so far.
To Donald Trump: you knocked the pig down now finisher her off. Buy her house out from under her, flatten it and build a hotel. Then when she goes to buy something else, buy it out from under her. Do this until the only place she can go is the pig sty at Old McDonalds farm.

medicinelady1213 04:33:11 PM Jul 17 2007

Report This!

THAT WOULD REALLY BE A NASTY MATCG!!!

lolitabite 04:04:00 PM Jul 17 2007

Report This!

life is all about success? these folks need to get in touch with their souls. . . . somehow I get the feeling they will die, never knowing the true meaning of life and happiness.....SO SAD.

jaimgirlie 03:51:15 PM Jul 17 2007

Report This!

I love donald trump and can't stand rosie... but come on now, do you honestly think that donald trump would extend his hand to rosie and invite her to be on his show as a way to make peace with her her?? Yeah right! Its all about high rating for donald and NBC!
but much as i think rosie is a fat slob, bitch... i can understand why she wouldnt go on the his show.... i mean would you want to be bossed around by your enemy on national tv and all the while he would be the one making all the money?! i know i wouldn't!

kgeorge475 03:46:38 PM Jul 17 2007

Report This!

did anyone ever think they are working together on this and it is all for publicity? Ah that is an idea that would give ratings to both of their shows and they are just wink at each other