NBC Rehires 'The Apprentice' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-06-2007, 11:13 PM

NBC and producers of "The Apprentice" will bring Donald Trump's reality TV show back from the brink of cancellation for at least one more season, industry sources said Friday.

The sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity that NBC plans to announce a renewal at an annual summer presentation to television critics July 16, about two months after the show had appeared on the verge of primetime extinction.

There was no official word on a deal from NBC, the Trump organization or executive producer Mark Burnett, but all three parties have acknowledged in recent weeks that negotiations on a possible return of the show were continuing.

One person familiar with the negotiations said "The Apprentice" would be renewed for two more years. Another said NBC and producers were close to a deal to bring the show back for a seventh season with an option to renew it for an eighth installment.

"The Apprentice," which turned Trump into a television star and popularized his catchphrase "You're fired," was sliding in the ratings and appeared headed for oblivion when it was omitted from the 2007-08 primetime programming schedule NBC unveiled in mid-May.

Network executives refused then to rule out a possible reprieve for Trump. But the real estate tycoon seemed to seal the show's fate when he issued a statement days later saying he was "moving on" to other TV ventures.

Prospects for the show rebounded again in late May when NBC, under newly installed chief programmer Ben Silverman, asked Trump and Burnett to extend the network's option to renew the series, and they agreed to talks.

"The Apprentice" debuted in 2004 as a hit show featuring young, aggressive entrepreneurs competing in a weekly game of elimination for a real-life job in Trump's business empire.

But the series steadily declined in the ratings in successive years, losing nearly two-thirds of its original audience by the time it wrapped up its sixth installment in April.

If the current option on a renewal for a seventh season were to expire without a deal, producers would be free to shop the series to another network, and Trump has said "numerous networks" have expressed an interest in picking up the show.

The show is important for Trump's growing branding effort, which banks on the businessman's brash image to market products including water, vodka and steaks.

Trump and NBC still remain in the beauty pageant business together. The two announced in March a renewal 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.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...218e349816ddf1

Ireneparalegal · 07-06-2007, 11:14 PM

I wonder how much he paid the network?

catlover79 · 07-06-2007, 11:25 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Mr. Television · 07-06-2007, 11:34 PM

I don't understand why...that show is dead.

Melonhead00 · 07-07-2007, 02:13 PM

I thought this show was sacked long ago. All well.

TVFactFan · 07-07-2007, 02:20 PM

Move it back to Manhattan

Have Trump be a little Nicer

Air the show on Tuesdays

Get rid of the SLEEPING OUTSIDE crap if a team loses

mriggles · 07-14-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAnalyzer

Move it back to Manhattan

Have Trump be a little Nicer

Air the show on Tuesdays

Get rid of the SLEEPING OUTSIDE crap if a team loses

agreed Solomon, that sleeping outside crap dragged the show down soooooooo much last season. Im happy its coming back!!!

07-06-2007, 11:13 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	NBC Rehires 'The Apprentice' NBC and producers of "The Apprentice" will bring Donald Trump's reality TV show back from the brink of cancellation for at least one more season, industry sources said Friday. The sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity that NBC plans to announce a renewal at an annual summer presentation to television critics July 16, about two months after the show had appeared on the verge of primetime extinction. There was no official word on a deal from NBC, the Trump organization or executive producer Mark Burnett, but all three parties have acknowledged in recent weeks that negotiations on a possible return of the show were continuing. One person familiar with the negotiations said "The Apprentice" would be renewed for two more years. Another said NBC and producers were close to a deal to bring the show back for a seventh season with an option to renew it for an eighth installment. "The Apprentice," which turned Trump into a television star and popularized his catchphrase "You're fired," was sliding in the ratings and appeared headed for oblivion when it was omitted from the 2007-08 primetime programming schedule NBC unveiled in mid-May. Network executives refused then to rule out a possible reprieve for Trump. But the real estate tycoon seemed to seal the show's fate when he issued a statement days later saying he was "moving on" to other TV ventures. Prospects for the show rebounded again in late May when NBC, under newly installed chief programmer Ben Silverman, asked Trump and Burnett to extend the network's option to renew the series, and they agreed to talks. "The Apprentice" debuted in 2004 as a hit show featuring young, aggressive entrepreneurs competing in a weekly game of elimination for a real-life job in Trump's business empire. But the series steadily declined in the ratings in successive years, losing nearly two-thirds of its original audience by the time it wrapped up its sixth installment in April. If the current option on a renewal for a seventh season were to expire without a deal, producers would be free to shop the series to another network, and Trump has said "numerous networks" have expressed an interest in picking up the show. The show is important for Trump's growing branding effort, which banks on the businessman's brash image to market products including water, vodka and steaks. Trump and NBC still remain in the beauty pageant business together. The two announced in March a renewal 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. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...218e349816ddf1
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-06-2007, 11:14 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I wonder how much he paid the network?
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

07-06-2007, 11:25 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
	__________________ "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

07-06-2007, 11:34 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I don't understand why...that show is dead.
	__________________ Sonny

07-07-2007, 02:13 PM	#5
Melonhead00 #00 Teshawn Edmonds Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 09, 2004 Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA Posts: 523	I thought this show was sacked long ago. All well.
	__________________ I di bless... HAIL KING LAGASSE I!!! Gatorade is the healing of nation. adidas New Jersey Transit

07-07-2007, 02:20 PM	#6
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,069	ways to make the show better Move it back to Manhattan Have Trump be a little Nicer Air the show on Tuesdays Get rid of the SLEEPING OUTSIDE crap if a team loses