Donald Trump to NBC: "You can't fire me, I quit" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 05-18-2007, 08:46 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Donald Trump, whose low-rated reality show "The Apprentice" was left off the new prime-time schedule unveiled this week by NBC, says the network can't fire him -- he quits.

The real estate mogul issued a statement on Friday saying he has informed the U.S. television network he is "moving on from 'The Apprentice' to a major new TV venture," though he declined to elaborate.

There was no immediate comment from NBC.

But his announcement appeared to end any lingering doubt that "The Apprentice," which turned the self-styled tycoon into a television star and popularized the catch phrase, "You're fired," would be banished from NBC's airwaves next season.

The corporate-themed reality show, which aired in dozens of countries around the world, featured young, aggressive entrepreneurs in a weekly game of elimination as they competed for a real-life job in Trump's business empire.

"The Apprentice" debuted as a hit in 2004, averaging nearly 21 million viewers and ranking as the top-rated new U.S. TV show its first season. But the series dropped steadily in the ratings in successive years, losing nearly two-thirds of its original audience by the time it wrapped up its sixth installment last month.

The show's future was cast into further doubt on Monday when the network announced a 2007-08 programming lineup that made no mention of Trump. But NBC executives refused then to absolutely rule out a reprieve once rival networks ABC, CBS and Fox had laid out their schedules for next season.

The statement from Trump's organization seemed to spell a definitive end to the series.

"It looks like viewers will have to wait to see what Mr. Trump plans for the future," the statement said. "But if Mr. Trump's past TV success is any indication of the future, then one can anticipate that millions of 'Apprentice' fans will be migrating to his new venture."

Trump and NBC still remain in the beauty pageant business together. The two announced in March a renewed deal to keep annual broadcasts of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which Trump co-owns, on the General Electric Co.-controlled network through 2010.

The best decision NBC has made in YEARS!!

Ireneparalegal · 05-18-2007, 08:55 PM

whoooooooooo Hoooooooooooo...thank The Lord!

Dr. Thong · 05-18-2007, 09:00 PM

DONALD TRUMP (looking into mirror): You're fired.

Ireneparalegal · 05-18-2007, 09:03 PM

^^^^^That looks like Rosie O'Donnell with a blonde wig.

EmoJoe · 05-18-2007, 09:10 PM

It's About Time !!

Brent88 · 05-18-2007, 09:22 PM

Thank God! Good luck finding another network to air your sorry pathetic show.

TJL · 05-18-2007, 10:06 PM

Trump is the best. He refuses to except defeat when something he does turns bad. In his mind Apprentice was the most popular show in Prime Time.

He's one of a kind!

TVFactFan · 05-18-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

Trump is the best. He refuses to except defeat when something he does turns bad. In his mind Apprentice was the most popular show in Prime Time.

He's one of a kind!

Why woud NBC cancel a Top rated show?-

catlover79 · 05-18-2007, 11:09 PM

To "The Donald", denial is a river in Egypt. He has all the money in the world but can't seem to buy a clue.

Ireneparalegal · 05-18-2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAnalyzer

Why woud NBC cancel a Top rated show?-

TVFactFan · 05-18-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I just can't figure it out, when was the last time a number 1 show was YANKED

Pavan · 05-19-2007, 12:00 AM

It is not a number one show.

TVFactFan · 05-19-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

It is not a number one show.

Can you to the Sports Board please, i have a thread waiting for you, your Membership in the SitcomsOnline Sports Club is in Jeopardy

Dr. Thong · 05-19-2007, 09:22 AM

Ratings dropped and the night the show aired was changed. That's usually the first sign of trouble with a show.

The show ran its course. Get over it, Donald. It's not like you don't have gazillions of dollars and other projects to occupy your time.

Trump's ego got hurt. And that ego is even bigger than his fortune.

05-18-2007, 08:46 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Donald Trump to NBC: "You can't fire me, I quit" LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Donald Trump, whose low-rated reality show "The Apprentice" was left off the new prime-time schedule unveiled this week by NBC, says the network can't fire him -- he quits. The real estate mogul issued a statement on Friday saying he has informed the U.S. television network he is "moving on from 'The Apprentice' to a major new TV venture," though he declined to elaborate. There was no immediate comment from NBC. But his announcement appeared to end any lingering doubt that "The Apprentice," which turned the self-styled tycoon into a television star and popularized the catch phrase, "You're fired," would be banished from NBC's airwaves next season. The corporate-themed reality show, which aired in dozens of countries around the world, featured young, aggressive entrepreneurs in a weekly game of elimination as they competed for a real-life job in Trump's business empire. "The Apprentice" debuted as a hit in 2004, averaging nearly 21 million viewers and ranking as the top-rated new U.S. TV show its first season. But the series dropped steadily in the ratings in successive years, losing nearly two-thirds of its original audience by the time it wrapped up its sixth installment last month. The show's future was cast into further doubt on Monday when the network announced a 2007-08 programming lineup that made no mention of Trump. But NBC executives refused then to absolutely rule out a reprieve once rival networks ABC, CBS and Fox had laid out their schedules for next season. The statement from Trump's organization seemed to spell a definitive end to the series. "It looks like viewers will have to wait to see what Mr. Trump plans for the future," the statement said. "But if Mr. Trump's past TV success is any indication of the future, then one can anticipate that millions of 'Apprentice' fans will be migrating to his new venture." Trump and NBC still remain in the beauty pageant business together. The two announced in March a renewed deal to keep annual broadcasts of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which Trump co-owns, on the General Electric Co.-controlled network through 2010. The best decision NBC has made in YEARS!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-18-2007, 08:55 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	whoooooooooo Hoooooooooooo...thank The Lord!
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

05-18-2007, 09:00 PM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	DONALD TRUMP (looking into mirror): You're fired.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

05-18-2007, 09:10 PM	#5
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	It's About Time !!
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

05-18-2007, 09:22 PM	#6
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Thank God! Good luck finding another network to air your sorry pathetic show.
	__________________ Brent

05-18-2007, 09:03 PM	#4
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	^^^^^That looks like Rosie O'Donnell with a blonde wig.

05-18-2007, 10:06 PM	#7
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Trump is the best. He refuses to except defeat when something he does turns bad. In his mind Apprentice was the most popular show in Prime Time. He's one of a kind!
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

05-18-2007, 11:09 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	To "The Donald", denial is a river in Egypt. He has all the money in the world but can't seem to buy a clue.

05-19-2007, 12:00 AM	#12
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	It is not a number one show.
	__________________ SitcomsOnline.com News Blog -- The best news out there! SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews -- We are #1 in reviews!

05-19-2007, 09:22 AM	#14
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Ratings dropped and the night the show aired was changed. That's usually the first sign of trouble with a show. The show ran its course. Get over it, Donald. It's not like you don't have gazillions of dollars and other projects to occupy your time. Trump's ego got hurt. And that ego is even bigger than his fortune.