MAIN Pop Culture Reality TV Celebrity Apprentice

As fans of The Apprentice can tell you - this was a strange, new format.

In every episode of the past six seasons, Donald Trump could always be counted upon to put unknown MBA's through their paces as they jockeyed for a stellar position in the Trump empire.

In the all new Celebrity Apprentice which premiered on January 3, 2008 at 9PM ET, we saw some familiar faces (a la Dancing with the Stars) and some that left us scratching our heads over how they ever qualified. Instead of hungry yuppies wanting to make their mark, this time it was celebrities who've already jumped the shark and wanted another 15 minutes in the limelight.

The 14 celebrities included a perennial also-ran (and little brother to actor Alec Baldwin), Stephen Baldwin who will be joined by Sopranos star Vincent Pastore, aging rocker Gene Simmons from Kiss, country music star Trace Adkins, and Marilu Henner, best-known from endless reruns of the 70's sitcom “Taxi” on late-night television.

Long-time fans were also instantly familiar with Omarosa, the contestant who managed to insult just about everybody during the premier season of The Apprentice in 2004, and who returned for back for more in Celebrity Apprentice.

Other names you may have recognized - or not - included Nely Galan, former entertainment president of the Telemundo network, model & actress Carol Alt, former Olympic gymnastics star Nadia Comaneci, Olympic softball gold medalist Jennie Finch, boxing champ Lennox Lewis, Ultimate Fighting Champion Tito Ortiz, Playboy Playmate Tiffany Fallon and wait for it ... the WINNER, “America’s Got Talent” judge Piers Morgan.

While viewers weren't treated to the usual cold sweats, back-stabbing maneuvers and "oh no he didn't" moments of seasons past, they could count on a certain amount of drama as 14 celebrities duked it out under the direction of The Donald.

Set in New York, contestants were given business-oriented projects to vie for the ultimate $250,000 prize and the title of top Celebrity Apprentice.

Rejoining daddy Trump in the boardroom were his children, Ivanka and Donald Jr., who had input each week into the final decision of Who Stays and Who Gets Fired.

Around the Web, check out related spoilers and rumors, picture galleries, video clips and recent updates on past and future seasons of Celebrity Apprentice ....

The Celebrity Apprentice - The official site with celebrity profiles & pictures, video clips, background info & fun facts, online trivia game.

Donald Trump Returns to NBC with Celebrity Apprentice - The official network news release with complete information on the show's format, star profiles, photo galleries.

Celebrity Apprentice - BuddyTV.com's profile of the new format with pictures and profiles of the Trump family and all 14 contestants, related visitor comments.

TV Squad - Celebrity Apprentice - The latest posts from the Celebrity Apprentice universe with reviews, news & rumors.

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