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[Pochacco]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/02/02/news/newsmakers/martha_apprentice/index.htm?cnn=yes

Martha Stewart to host new 'Apprentice'
NBC plans to broadcast an additional version of the hit reality show featuring the domestic diva.
February 2, 2005: 6:56 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - NBC said Tuesday it would broadcast an additional version of the hit reality show "The Apprentice" featuring Martha Stewart as host.

The new edition will be titled "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart," the peacock network said. Donald Trump, the host of the original "Apprentice" and creator Mark Burnett will serve as Executive Producers of both series.

"The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" will retain the general format of the original series including weekly eliminations, but the format of the show will be tailored to Stewart's personality and brand identity, according to the network.

The tasks will be centered around Stewart's areas of expertise: media, home renovation, entertaining, design, merchandising, technology and style.

"I am thrilled to be able to offer my good friend Martha the opportunity to join me in the success of 'The Apprentice,'" Trump said in a statement. "I hope she has as much fun as I do with this venture."

Stewart is currently serving a 5-month sentence at a federal correction facility in Alderson, W. Va., for obstructing justice during a government investigation of her 2001 sale of ImClone stock.

She is due to be released from federal prison March 4th.

I wonder what the challenges will be, what the winner will get, and what her "You're Fired!" equivalent line will be...."It's a good thing....GO TO JAIL NO PASS GO!" ?

 

[belgurdo]

...and another "reality" series has been run into the ground. Find something new, NBC

 

[BigJonsson]

...and another "reality" series has been run into the ground. Find something new, NBC

NBC is desperate

 

[Mugen]

This is a cool idea. Trump has run the Apprentice idea to the ground and Martha will put it back on top. I say bring it.

 

[Doth Togo]

This is a cool idea. Trump has run the Apprentice idea to the ground and Martha will put it back on top. I say bring it.

I'm open to it if they can pull it off well. Martha, season 1 alone, could be interesting, especially if they go into her jail theme.

 

[kumanoki]

This is a cool idea. Trump has run the Apprentice idea to the ground and Martha will put it back on top. I say bring it.

I dunno. Martha has nothing to offset the WASPy, uptight, and ultimately irritating personality she has. Trump, on the other hand, has a natural charisma. I agree that Trump has worn out his welcome, but Martha Stewart? Does she just want the whole world to hate her or something?

They'll have to make light of her terse irritation at people who don't do things exactly her way, otherwise it'll be painful to watch.

 

[Kobun Heat]

kumanoki: maybe five months in the slammer has done her some good?

...nah

 

[MIMIC]

Martha Stewart: Daniel, you neglected your responsibilities, you totally abandoned your team mates, and you put this show to shame.

Daniel, you're going to prison.

 

[Mugen]

I dunno. Martha has nothing to offset the WASPy, uptight, and ultimately irritating personality she has. Trump, on the other hand, has a natural charisma. I agree that Trump has worn out his welcome, but Martha Stewart? Does she just want the whole world to hate her or something?

They'll have to make light of her terse irritation at people who don't do things exactly her way, otherwise it'll be painful to watch.

Well, people don't watch apprentice for the 'host'. But since the 2nd season, Trump for some reason decided to make it 'his' show and because of it, the quality of the show suffered. What's so great about Apprentice is the great competition between the teams in terms of business AND most importantly its anti-Survivor elimination terms. The hosts then primary duty is to see through the contestants and pick out which the host thinks is the most unfit. But since season 2 Trump has totally made it more like Survivor by deciding to fire people basing on what the other contestants think (Survivor vote-off style) AND firing people solely based to boost ratings (ie. Bradford from Season 2).

If Martha does what the Apprentice host is supposed to do and not put on a 'show' like Trump did then it's all for the better. Her personality will only be a draw for viewers to see how she's going to fire contestants or react to the contestant's reasons for losing or whatever. I think with her, it will bring new life to the series.

 

[kumanoki]

Martha: "Donna, you're a backstabber. You'll do anything to get to the top of the heap. You've betrayed your team, lied to your bosses, and changed course at the last minute, merely to reach your own goals. You remind me of me when I was your age. You can stay."

 

[Incognito]

martha was nothing but a prized scapegoat for the governement, anyway. meanwhile, the fucks who destroyed the lives of thousands at enron and worldcom are still out and about.

 

[Shinobi]

Agreed...that's something they could easily play up.

NBC is desperate

Indeed...NBC might be falling behind Fox in the ratings battle, something that none of the original three networks have ever done before. And NBC got their ass shut out of the top ten in late January (their highest rated show was The Apprentice at 14th). It's not a good time for the peacock.

Meanwhile Martha Inc (or whatever her company is called) has seen her stock climb back up almost to the peak level it had reached some three years ago, which is funny as fuck considering she's been in jail the last few months. Obviously people expect her to come out of this smelling like a rose, at least initially. She just to be careful about not overexposing herself initially...as long as she does that, she'll be far better off then she was before she went to jail. :lol

 

[Kobun Heat]

She just to be careful about not overexposing herself initially

Which she clearly has failed at.

 

[Matlock]

For the love of christ, when you're on the show--don't drop the soap.

 

[Shinobi]

Which she clearly has failed at.

:lol I mean after she leaves jail.

 

[BigJonsson]

NBC doesn't have Seinfeld or Friends to anchor them anymore

The other networks all have far better shows now

 

[border]

Scrubs is the only good network sitcom left. As long as NBC doesn't give it the axe (and they might, considering that they now have enough episodes for syndication) they will be fine with me. Anyone know how it's doing in the ratings?

 

[Kobun Heat]

:lol I mean after she leaves jail.

So do I. "Keeping a low profile" and "starring in a major TV show" are mutually exclusive.

 

[Shinobi]

So do I. "Keeping a low profile" and "starring in a major TV show" are mutually exclusive.

I didn't tell her to keep a low profile though, and with the stock going through the roof on the strength of the TV opportunities she has because of jail, it'd be foolish of her not to. But she can't shoot her load and do like, half dozen shows at once, or I imagine she'll lose that mystique fast.

 

[Doth Togo]

http://www.nypost.com/commentary/39792.htm

Well written. Am changing my mind about the show.

 

[Shinobi]

Accurate and funny. That it was written in the New York Post makes it even funnier. :lol

 

[Smiles and Cries]

Who sprung that bitch from Jail?

Goddam