The Celebrity Apprentice (2004 – 2017)

The Apprentice burst onto NBC in early 2004, instantly captivating audiences with its high-stakes business competition. This debut season – now available on DVD – introduced viewers to sixteen ambitious candidates vying for a coveted apprenticeship with Donald Trump. From the start, *The Apprentice* proved to be a ratings phenomenon. It consistently landed within the Nielsen top ten, averaging over 20 million weekly viewers and establishing itself as one of the year's most talked-about programs. The season culminated in a thrilling finale that drew an estimated 28 million viewers – enough to dethrone even a fresh episode of *CSI* and claim the #1 spot for the week. Undeniably, *The Apprentice* Season One was the breakout hit of 2004.

Back for a fourth installment, *The Apprentice* returned to NBC Thursday nights in September 2005, once again spearheaded by executive producer and host Donald Trump. While still delivering a sizable audience – averaging over 11 million viewers each week – this season marked a shift for the popular competition series. Notably, *The Apprentice 4* didn't crack the Nielsen Top 20 ratings, settling in at number 38, signaling an evolving landscape for reality television viewership.

Get ready for a fresh take on *The Celebrity Apprentice*, returning for its seventh season with a high-stakes competition to impress Donald Trump and earn the title of "Best Business Brain." Inspired by the beloved charity special, *Comic Relief Does The Apprentice*, this installment aims to reignite the series’ energy, with the victor generously donating their winnings to a cause they care about. The show makes a triumphant return to New York City – after a Los Angeles detour – and features stunning abstract artwork by Seattle artist Maeve Harris throughout. Premiering January 3rd, 2008, on NBC at 9:00 PM, this season shakes up the format; instead of residing in Trump Tower, the celebrity candidates call the luxurious Trump International Hotel and Tower home. While traditional rewards are absent (aside from a $20,000 bonus for the winning project manager and proceeds for charity), the pressure remains intense – and the dreaded firing still looms. Ultimately, it was *America’s Got Talent* judge Piers Morgan who emerged victorious over country star Trace Adkins in the final showdown—a particularly amusing twist considering he was famously the only celebrity to be fired during the original British version of the show!

Get ready for a fresh batch of stars battling it out – *The Celebrity Apprentice* is back! Season three, marking the ninth installment of this high-stakes reality competition, arrived on NBC in March 2010 and delivered a thrilling ride until its two-hour finale on May 23rd. This time around, viewers watched as familiar faces competed to raise money for charity – specifically, the Hollyrod Foundation and the American Diabetes Association, with exclusive auction items including signed memorabilia and photos from cast members like Bret Michaels. And speaking of Bret Michaels, the Poison frontman and *Rock of Love* alum ultimately took home the coveted title! In a surprising twist, Michaels later returned for an all-star edition, becoming the only previous winner to participate – and was famously the first one eliminated, finishing in 14th place after struggling to meet fundraising goals.

Get ready for a fresh batch of starry ambition! *The Celebrity Apprentice* is back for its seventh season, bringing a new group of famous faces into the boardroom to compete for charity dollars. After a hiatus, NBC confirmed in 2013 that production would begin the following spring, paving the way for this exciting return in 2014.