NEWS ARTICLES AND PRE PROMOTION

[Marilyn]

This Sunday marks the season premiere of The Celebrity Apprentice, the long-running reality competition now in its fifth season for which washed-up celebrities engage in menial tasks to both impress host Donald Trump and reignite whatever small amount of fame they once possessed. And per usual, this season’s cast is stacked with “talent.” Who better to watch trying to impress an egotistical old man than the likes of Clay Aiken, Dee Snider, Aresenio Hall, and Debbie Gibson? So to prepare you for what is sure to be an incredible season, we’ve broken down this year’s contestants and how we think they’ll fare.

SNIP


Clay Aiken
Age: 33

Claim To Fame: The doe-eyed North Carolina-native welled America’s hearts with his beatific balladry on Season Two of American Idol. (He ultimately took second-place to Southern big-boy Ruben Studdard). Aiken has since released six full-length albums, performed on Broadway and after coming out as openly gay in 2008, has become an outspoken activist for gay rights.

What To Expect: Don't let the fact that he sings like a mermaid misguide you; if preview clips are any indication, this ginger-topped crooner's got some bite behind that boyish charm. How he matches up with The Donald, however, might be a different story.


By Dan Hyman

ROLLING STONE

[Marilyn]

General Information:


DATE: February 19-May 27, 2012

NETWORK: NBC

DESCRIPTION:Celebrity contestants compete in business-oriented tasks around New York City to raise money for their favorite charities. The official "Celebrity Apprentice" will win a $250,000 bonus to donate.

Tasks will be judged in the boardroom by executive producer-host Trump and his advisers, including, once again, his children/colleagues Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr.

RATINGS:
02/19 Episode 1: 2.6/7(18-49), 4.7/7 HH, 7.4 million
02/26 Episode 2: 1.8/4(18-49), 3.1/5 HH 5.0M (against the Oscar telecast)
03/04 Episode 3: 2.4/6(18-49), 4.1/7 HH, 6.7M
03/11 Episode 4: 2.0/5(18-49), 3.9/7HH 6.5M
03/18 Episode 5: 1.9/5(18-49), ?.?HH, 5.8 M
03/25 Episode 6: 1.8/5(18-49), 3.8/6 HH, 6.1M
04/01 Episode 7: 1.8/5(18-49), 3.8/7HH, 6.0M (3 hr episode)
04/08 Episode 8: 2.1/6(18-49), 6.52M
04/15 Episode 9: 2.2 /6(18-49), 4.3/7 HH, 6.660 M

~Source: Zap2It and TVbytheNumbers

[Marilyn]

PLEASE NOTE- I BROUGHT THIS ARTICLE OVER, BUT IT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE WHEN YOU CLICK ON THE LINK:

From American Idol to kitchen hand: Clay Aiken makes a career change in Celebrity Apprentice
By Jade Watkins

Last updated at 6:18 PM on 14th February 2012

He is in the top ten earners of American Idol raking in an estimated $1.5m a year.
But Clay Aiken will make a career shift in this season's Celebrity Apprentice.

In a sneak preview for the reality competition, the 33-year-old pop rock star is seen selling sandwiches in busy Time Square as part of a challenge given to his team by Donald Trump

There is great video on this site of Clay selling sandwiches and Penn Gillette actually praising him!!

DAILY MAILl

[Marilyn]

FROM MIMI:

Wralfm just played the remaining few snippets of Clay's interview. Lynda said the interview would be up later today,so you might want to check it out.

Yesterday Clay was telling that CAPP had been after him for quite sometime,and he had told himself he would never be on  another Reality Show because he didn't like coming in second.

I missed the first snippet this morning...it was on while I was picking up Rebecca. The second though ,Clay was telling about how he was out of his comfort zone,and had to work though that. He also said that no one there knew anything about him,and he had to earn everyone's respect. He said Dee told him he had always thought he was a "pothead".
Clay said he had become friends with several of the other contestants. He & Arsinio have become good friends, he said for some reason when I'm on a reality show,me and the black guy always become friends.

YOU TUBE LINKS TO THE INTERVIEWS.

PART ONE


PART TWO

[Marilyn]

Donald Trump Announces Celebrity Apprentice Cast on Today Show

YOU TUBE LINK

CAST ANNOUNCEMENT SEASON 12

[Marilyn]

PROMO'S ON YOU TUBE

Celebrity Apprentice Promo Jan 24 2012

FOR CHARITY



This is the New Cast of the upcoming Celebrity Apprentice.
The new season premieres February 12, Sunday 9/8c.
--Who are you rooting for...
NEW CELEB APPRENTICE CAST



The Celebrity Apprentice - Sneak Peek

SNEAK PEEK