“The Apprentice” peaked sometime during the premiere episode in 2004, and it’s been in rapid decline ever since.
That very first episode of Donald Trump’s reality show -- a competition to allegedly win a job at his company -- boiled down the business world to the most intriguing basics: Setting up a lemonade stand. It was pretty entertaining to watch big-egoed MBAs, lawyers and aspiring real-estate moguls scramble around Manhattan trying to discover the simplest secret of capitalism.
Actually, what was funny was that these would-be business barons couldn’t figure out how to make and sell lemonade. Brilliant!
But that was it. The show quickly devolved into a typical clash of petty personalities. The Donald eventually replaced amusingly gruff sidekicks George and Carolyn with his gravy-training kids. Worst of all, the challenges became limp excuses for product placements and paid plugs. Think of a new sales campaign for Pepsi! Think of a new sales campaign for Burger King! Think of a new sales campaign for Crest!
I know -- how about Think of a new reality show for NBC?
But The Donald is back. The new attempt to revitalize his show is “Celebrity Apprentice” -- same format, but this time the competitors are so-called stars. The only problem is, with this possible exception of Gene Simmons, the competitors aren’t stars. Not even close.
(Simmons, by the way, was the only person who appeared to be having fun during last night’s premiere episode. I think he’s the only one who’s in on the whole “celebrity” joke.)
Nevermind the competition -- the show’s as boring as ever. Instead, I present my breakdown of the almost-famous competitors:
“Celebrity”
Claim to Fame
Celebrity?
Trace Adkins
Country music singer
Never heard of him
Carol Alt
Model/actress
Never heard of her
Stephen Baldwin
Baldwin Brother
C-List by birth
Nadia Comaneci
Olympic gymnast
Former fringe sports stars are D-List at best
Tiffany Fallon
Playboy Playmate
She’s not even on Hef’s lame reality show
Jennie Finch
Olympic softball player
Cute, but D-List
Nely Galán
Former Telemundo executive
C’mon -- you’re kidding, right?
Marilu Henner
Actress
B-List
Lennox Lewis
Heavyweight boxer
At least I’ve heard of him
Piers Morgan
"America's Got Talent" judge
You cannot become a celebrity solely by appearing on another reality show
Omarosa
"The Apprentice" contestant
You especially can’t become a celebrity by re-appearing on the same reality show
Tito Ortiz
Ultimate Fighting Champion
I don’t know him, but I guess UFC is popular
Vincent Pastore
Actor
Interesting, but even great character actors are B-List at best
Gene Simmons
Kiss tongue-wagger
Yes! Top rockers are always A-List