The TV Zone

I see that the Worm has been ejected, and no surprise there. Trumpster apparently let him go because of a tendency to - well, he doesn't come quite out and say what that tendency is precisely other than suggest that alcohol was involved.

In fact, I am told that NBC even ran a bumper following last night's show, directing viewers - should they also have a problem - to some phone number, or what have you - while Trumpster posted this brief clip on Hulu, again parenthetically explaining his reasons for said termination...

Continue reading ""Celebrity Apprentice:" The Worm Turns" »

This guy, left, or that guy, below...?

"The Celebrity Apprentice" is back this Sunday, and a tough-minded correspondent named Charlie has got me to thinking: Who IS more famous? The 2008 "CA" crew or the 2009 "CA" crew?

We're not talking super-fame here. No one has won an Oscar. Kate Winslet is not on board, for example. But...there ARE some first-rate athletes (former ones, I should add) and some good country singers, and Gold medalists, etc.

There are also some low-rent celebs.

No reason to name names.

Here's Charlie's comment on my story in tomorrow's Newsday - I didn't take it personally, or at least too much. I wrote that this year's batch is more famous than last year's batch. He took umbrage to that observation...

"Are you kidding me? Easily more famous then the 1st ? What kind of drugs are you taking? This bunch of mostly degenerate washed up bunch doesn't even come close or can even hold up a candle to the 1st! Rodman is doing any show that will have him now a days! He goes from celebrity wrestling to this? Joan Rivers and her daughter are both washed up and are still looking for 5 minutes of fame. Dice has been washed up for yrs and his gimmick is so old already! A Deal or no deal model? Come on already! A poker champ? This season is gonna suck and you must be on some serious drugs to think that this group of out of the spotlight people is more famous and better then the first! '

Charlie from Duluth has inspired me to respond...So, which is more famous? The 2008 one or the 2009?

Here's a quiz. We'll go by the "household name" yardstick, which loosely translated means, when talking to your spouse or children, you ask, "have you EVER heard of this person? "

"Y" is yes; "N" is no...

2008:

Trace Adkins (N)
Stephen Baldwin (N)
Carol Alt (Y, barely, but probably N)
Marilu Henner (Y)
Vincent Pastore (N)
Lennox Lewis (N)
Nadia Comaneci (Y)
Gene Simmons (Y, barely)
Tito Ortiz (N)
Piers Morgan (N)
Tiffany Fallon (N)
Omarosa (N)
Jennie Finch (N)
Nely Galan (N)

Now, this season's, 2009:

Andrew "Dice" Clay (Y)
Clint Black (Y)
Annie Duke (N)
Tom Green (N)
Natalie Gulbis (N)
Scott Hamilton (Y)
Jesse James (Y)
Claudia Jordan (N)
Khloe Kardashian (Y)
Brian McKnight (Y)
Joan Rivers (Y)
Melissa Rivers (Y)
Brande Roderick (N)
Dennis Rodman (Y)
Herschel Walker (Y)
Tionne Watkins (Y)

Final score:

2008: 10 Nos.
2009: 5 Nos.

Anyone agree? Call Charlie. Please.

Here's one name I didn't expect to be joining "Celeb Apprentice": Herschel Walker.

And here's another "Andrew Dice Clay."

And ... so here's another suggested name for show, which just announced its new list of celebs for the second season, launching March 1: "Former-Celebrities-and-now-not-exactly-Celebrities-but-more-like-Friends-of-Donald-or-in-Between-Gigs Apprentice."

Let's see if it flies with Trumpster ...

Remember Herschel? Of course you do - that sensational college career and then he helped jump-start that long-dead USFL by joining some team called (I think) the Generals. He spurned the REAL league for the big bucks and now this, many years later. He's had a pretty solid biz career since then, and I believe "Celeb Apprentice" earnings go to charity.

Anyway, I may be wrong on this, since I try to memory-dump stuff all the time, but didn't the Trumpster have some stake in the Generals, or maybe even own the team? That may explain this...

Rest of the list: Clint Black, Diceman, Annie Duke, the poker player, Tom Green, Natalie Gulbis, pro golfer; Scott Hamilton; Jesse James; Claudia Jordon, model for "Deal or No Deal;" Khloe Kardashian; Brian McKnight; Joan Rivers; Melissa Rivers; Brande Roderick, starlet; Dennis Rodman; Tionne Watkins (T-Boz.).

Hmmm...let's see...Which names of the 2009 crew of "Celebrity Apprentice," bowing early next year, haven't yet leaked out?

Here are two more names - Jesse James of "Monster Garage" and...Clint Black...(Question: Isn't JJ married to Sandra Bullock? Maybe she'll...)

Here's a third name...

Tom Green.

Tom Green?

Yes, Tom Green.

Now, you're thinking. Why would Tom Green do this? (Or maybe you're thinking - who is Tom Green...) There must be many many reasons, all of them financial. But here's a small world alert. Did you know that TG was on the early iteration of "America's Got Talent" couple years ago and (of course you know that) Piers Morgan won the first season of "Celeb Apprentice?"

I dug up Green's performance on that edition - hey, I can google with the best of 'em - and let's just say it was one hot appearance...

Uh - someone who's as famous as me won "Celebrity Apprentice" last night.

Which is another way of saying - someone you never heard of won "Celebrity Apprentice" last night.

I'd like to tell you who it was, but - being that he's so non-famous - I can't quite recall who it is.

Good God, why didn't Trumpster ask Britney to be in "Celebrity Apprentice?" If she'd won, then I'd remember the name - AND be able to run a bunch of pictures, of the kind of before/after variety (like maybe Britney with make-up, or Brit without.)

If someone from Long Island won, I'd have worked all night to write the story for today's "wood" (the front page.) But I don't think this Celebrity Apprentice has ever even been to Long Island; not sure he's even HEARD of it. (Note to self: Ask him in conference call later.)

OK, his name is Piers Morgan. He's a great guy, and raised over $500,000 for his chosen charity, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Anyway, I like Piers - or I should say, I'm jealous of Piers; he's a former journalist who's made quite a career for himself hosting reality game shows for his buddy Simon Cowell (note to self: Ask Piers during conference call how to get in touch with Simon, to find out how Newsday TV writer might get lucrative job as host of "America's Got Talent.")

Piers, a Brit, has been in a lot of shows, mostly on the other side of the Pond. My favorite titles: "You Can't Fire Me, I'm Famous," "Comic Relief: The Apprentice," "The Dame Edna Treatment," "Death of Celebrity" and "The Importance of Being Famous."

Alas, these last two lasted only one episode.

But I'd pay bucks for a look at "The Dame Edna Treatment."

So here's to you, Piers. You deserved to win last night. I only wish you were a celebrity. (Note to self: Ask Trumpster during conference call to please beg Britney Spears to join next season's edition of "Celebrity Apprentice." )

(Above: no, Britney Spears did not win "Celebrity Apprentice," but as you can see, she takes better pictures than the guy, left, who did.)

One more reason to look forward to 2008:

“The Apprentice” will be back... Or should we say the show’s latest incarnation, “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which debuts Jan. 3 at 9 p.m.

The “celebs” just announced by NBC include: Trace Adkins, Carol Alt, Stephen Baldwin, Nadia Comaneci, Tiffany Fallon, Jennie Finch, Nely Galan, Marilu Henner, Lennox Lewis, Piers Morgan, Omarosa, Tito Ortiz, Vincent Pastore, and Gene Simmons.

They’ll all face off for charity, by the way.

Is that the whiff of desperation coming off the Donald’s well-coiffed head?

Details about the new season of “The Apprentice” were released today by NBC. It’s desperation enough that the show is gonna be set in LA this time (not exactly the Trumpster’s home turf), and reason enough for true-blue New Yorkers to tune out.

But what really grabbed our attention was the “twist” that the winning team will get to spend the night in a “luxurious” mansion (that’s NBC’s description; as opposed to an unfurnished mansion, we’re guessing) while the sad-sack losers will have to camp out in the backyard and use outdoor showers and portable toilets. It’s supposed to motivate the team to do better next week. Sounds to me more like “Survivor: Beverly Hills.”

Was it only three years ago that this was the show everybody was buzzing about?

The fun starts Jan. 7.