On Sunday, World Series of Poker bracelet winner Annie Duke will square off against talk show host Joan Rivers in the finale of Season 2 of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. According to NBC Universal, the popular reality series has been renewed for Season 3.
The final episode of Season 2, which airs on Sunday night at 8:00pm ET and runs for three hours, will feature Duke and Rivers hosting VIP parties and private auctions prior to a New York City production of the Cirque du Soleil show Wintuk. The current installment of the reality franchise began back on March 1st and occupied a two hour time slot on Sunday nights. Over the course of the 10 weeks since then, the show was truncated to an hour just once, making room for the extended premiere of NBC’s new drama Southland, which was created by the personalities behind E.R.
Celebrity Apprentice Season 3 will mark the ninth overall edition of the show. The first six seasons, one of which was set in Los Angeles, ended with candidates being hired to manage projects for real estate mogul Donald Trump. Bill Rancic won the show’s original installment, which premiered back in 2004. He was hired to develop Trump Tower Chicago, which makes its home on the pristine Chicago River in the city’s bustling downtown. Kelly Perdew was the second apprentice hired by Trump. Perdew directed development of Trump Place in New York City. Kendra Todd became the first female apprentice during Season 3 and assisted with the construction of a mansion in Palm Beach, California. Randal Pinkett won Apprentice’s fourth installment and worked with Trump Entertainment, while Sean Yazbeck assisted in the building of Trump Soho after winning Season 5. The final Apprentice candidate hired was Stefanie Schaeffer.
During each episode, teams are charged with a task that typically centers on a major corporate sponsor. Companies that have had their products touted during the second season of Celebrity Apprentice include Zappos.com, ACN, Loews Hotels, All detergent, Lifelock, Schwan’s, and Right Guard deodorant. Eight men and eight women were cast for the show’s second season, its eighth overall.
Last time out, America’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan survived an onslaught of personal attacks by fellow contestant Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth to defeat country music star Trace Adkins in the finals of Celebrity Apprentice Season 1. Morgan has appeared on several episodes during the current Celebrity Apprentice and most recently advised Trump who the final two contestants should be. As a result, West Coast Choppers CEO Jesse James and Playboy Playmate of the Year Brande Roderick were fired during last week’s show, setting up the showdown between Duke and Rivers on Sunday. Other celebrities who competed last season included supermodel Carol Alt, boxer Lennox Lewis, Mixed Martial Arts fighter Tito Ortiz, “Sopranos” star Vincent Pastore, and actor Stephen Baldwin. The latter two appeared during the Loews challenge this year.
According to a press release by NBC Universal announcing the return of Celebrity Apprentice for its third season, the current installment is averaging a 3.5 rating and a 9 share among adults 18-49. Overall, it is attracting 8.6 million viewers. Trump commented about his Apprentice franchise, “Its Emmy nominations and great success have translated into a wonderful experience. Working with Mark Burnett has been terrific and I am greatly honored that NBC has renewed us for yet another season, our ninth.” During the half-hour time block prior to the 11:00pm ET local news, NBC claims that Celebrity Apprentice has bested regular competition for six straight weeks among adults 25-54.
The Celebrity Apprentice’s producer, Mark Burnett, is also behind such reality hits as CBS’ Survivor and Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? Celebrity Apprentice Season 3 will air in Spring of 2010.
I will not watch. What a sorry individual Trump is. Chastise Jesse for calling Rodman “stupid.” Yet let the sorry individuals of Dumber and Dumber (Rivers and Rivers) get away with their crap. What sorry individuals they are. How bout it Trump-what was the real truth about what sorry Rivers did to get dismmissed by the consulting company? Keep it next year. I wont get sucked again.
It is absolutely disgraceful that Joan Rivers won Celebrity Apprentice 2. After verbally abusing almost everyone and virtually blackmailing Trump (fire my daughter and I quit) it is disturbing that she won. What is most disturbing is that Ivanka called Joan a roll model. Excuse me? Calling someone a Nazi is a roll model? Calling supporters of a competitor the ‘mafia’ is a roll model? If I was Annie I would be sitting down with a lawyer immediately! I thought last season of the show was good but this season was obviously all about the ratings and nothing else. That’s fine and good but as a teacher I can tell you that rewarding bad behaviour is wrong and I for one will not be watching season 3.
What a disappointment to see Joan Rivers win this season. She was rude, overbearing, and nasty not only to Duke but to others on the show. I consider this a cop out for Trump. Don Jr. had it right I would never have her or her crybaby daughter work for me. Give me somebody who works, reads people and see the end results and goes for it. Sorry Annie, but I will watch you anytime I can. I really thought that Brande did a good job and I am sorry to Chloe that Trump who GIVES MISS AMERICA’S SECOND CHANCES did not even consider giving her a chance. Way to go Jesse James – stayed true all the way throug.
To use a poker analogy: three of a kind beats a pair. Joan won three of the criteria in the final task; Annie won only two. This is why Joan ‘trumped’ Annie. If Annie had won three out of five, she would have deserved to win. Simple as that.
“4. TruthTeller Says:
May 11th, 2009 at 5:26 am
To use a poker analogy: three of a kind beats a pair. Joan won three of the criteria in the final task; Annie won only two. This is why Joan ‘trumped’ Annie. If Annie had won three out of five, she would have deserved to win. Simple as that.”
Okay, but how did Joan Rivers “Trump” Jesse James. His input won more Tasks, he stood by his morals, and didn’t personal insult anyone. and even tried to help when he saw Denis Rodman going down a bad path. If he wasn’t unfairly fire just to boost ratings. He would have won the finally. Need I Even bring up the fact Joan Rivers QUIT. And as we all heard Trump say countless times “I HATE QUITTERS”. If it was anyone Else to walk off they wouldn’t be aloud to come back. You know what I hate, Favoritism, and this season was full of it I mean come on how many times dose Clint Black have to be cause a lose to be fired.
OMG…I am so glad to hear people’s opinions on Joan Rivers. She was so Tastless and even Trump did not stand by what he says matters to him. Yes, He always does say he hates quitters…..but he closed his eyes to that, he always says its about money-Annie raised more…….he closed his eyes that. Jesse did give the Most on all the tasks but that was not seen by Trump. I dont think Jesse could communicate well though….not when he had to speak for himself. That was unfortunate. I do think Jesse should have lined up Sandra to help him though….KWIM?
AND how about how he treat Khloe???? She won tasks and is trying to be a role model…..he berated her….how dare he!
I hate to say that I would watch season 3 only to see the celebs….Not “The Donald”.
I wasn’t expecting a 3rd season of Celebrity Apprentice as season 2 has lost a lot of my interest in the show, you gotta admit season 2009 was very dull.
However, I am still excited to know another season is coming up. The show itself is very good, many elements could easily draw you in, but I think it is about the individual competitors in essence, people in 2008 were extremely dynamic, especially the winner Piers Morgan and runner up Trace Adkins.
I have good expectations for the new season and I will for sure watch the show, but perhaps I might not watch till the end if it starts to get boring.