(Image source: NBC)
BY LAUREN ZIMA
The cast for the fifth season of Celebrity Apprentice has been revealed. With 18 members, it’s the biggest cast ever. Donald Trump revealed his new hires Wednesday on Today.
To name just a few, they include Clay Aiken, ‘Real Housewife’ Teresa Giudice, Lou Ferrigno, Victoria Gotti, Arsenio Hall, Lisa Lampanelli, George Takei, and Cheryl Tiegs.
A writer for The Stir says she isn’t a reality fan, but this ensemble has even her hooked.
“...this season’s cast lineup ... is a twisted bit of marketing genius ... producers clearly went all out in their efforts to pull together an eyebrow-raising collection of semi-recognizable names ... I’m actually considering setting my TiVo to start recording.”
And The New York Times says NBC needs that viewership, and is counting on The Apprentice.
“The show … is part of a revived prime-time schedule for NBC that is much more dependent on reality shows. The network is hoping to find a way out of what has been a persistently woeful ratings period … That will mean 8 of the 19 hours NBC schedules with original programs … will be filled with reality shows.”
And a writer for TIME notes the Donald picked an interesting day to break the news -- the day after the Iowa caucuses, putting him at-the-ready to discuss the results.
“...it probably does not hurt NBC that Trump will soon benefit, and probably encourage, another round of speculation that he will run for President as an independent—which he will not, of course, but if history is a guide he will wait until after the season finale to say so.”
The show premieres February 12th.
 |  |  |  |
