The New Celebrity Apprentice: Season 1

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The Apprentice

Now Playing: The Apprentice

Season Details & Credits

NBC | Season Premiere Date: January 8, 2004

Starring: David Gould, Omarosa, Sam Solovey

Summary: The Apprentice is the ultimate job interview, where sixteen Americans (eighteen in seasons two through six, fourteen in seasons seven and nine) compete in a series of rigorous business tasks, many of which include prominent Fortune 500 companies and require street smarts and intelligence to conquer, in order to show Donald Trump, the boss,The Apprentice is the ultimate job interview, where sixteen Americans (eighteen in seasons two through six, fourteen in seasons seven and nine) compete in a series of rigorous business tasks, many of which include prominent Fortune 500 companies and require street smarts and intelligence to conquer, in order to show Donald Trump, the boss, that they are the best candidate for his companies. In each episode, the losing team is sent to the boardroom, where Trump and his associates, Carolyn Kepcher and George Ross, and later, his children, Donald Trump, Jr., and Ivanka Trump, judge the job applicants on their performance in the task. One person is fired and sent home. Who will succeed? Who will fail? And who will be The Apprentice?

The ninth season of The Apprentice is the third celebrity edition. Fourteen celebrities will compete for the title of the third Celebrity Apprentice and the grand prize of $250,000 for the charity of the choice. The season is already rife with big personalities and lots of drama, and though it's early, many tough competitors have emerged.

The eighth season of The Apprentice was yet another celebrity edition. Sixteen celebrities competed for the title of the second Celebrity Apprentice and the grand prize of $250,000 for the charity of their choice. The cast was more interesting than the previous batch of celebrities, and the drama was a lot more intense. However, Trump started making less credible decisions in his firings, and the episodes were soon more about the drama among the celebrities than it was about the actual tasks. In the end, comedienne Joan Rivers faced off against professional poker player Annie Duke in the show's second all-female final two, and despite the majority opinion that Duke's performance throughout the season had been better overall, Trump ended the season on a sour note with the controversial decision to name Rivers as the second Celebrity Apprentice.

The seventh season of The Apprentice saw the show returning to New York City. And this time, instead of real people being the candidates, celebrities were. Fourteen celebrities vied for the title of the first-ever Celebrity Apprentice, including a returning Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth from the first season. Among the changes were both teams facing the boardroom following the task to hear what each team did right and wrong, in case that team ended up in the boardroom. The season certainly wasn't without its share of drama, and it showed some pretty smart celebrity candidates. In the end, America's Got Talent judge Piers Morgan and country singer Trace Adkins faced off in the final two, and Morgan took the title of first-ever Celebrity Apprentice, taking $250,000 for the charity of his choice along with him.

The sixth season of The Apprentice saw the show leave New York City and move to an all-new location: Los Angeles, California! Here, Carolyn Kepcher and George Ross were gone and replaced as viceroys by Donald Trump's children, Donald, Jr., and Ivanka. While the candidates, among whom were the show's first Asian-American man, the first Jamaican woman, a cervical cancer survivor, and not one, but two openly gay men, were interesting, the season pulled the show's lowest ratings ever, with too much focus on Trump and his brands, as well as Los Angeles pop culture, and not enough on the candidates and the tasks. Also, Trump's logic behind his firing decisions made less and less sense. In the end, Stefani Schaeffer, James Sun, Nicole D'Ambrosio, and Frank Lombardi all faced off in the show's first-ever final four finale that saw Stefani and James ending up as the final two, and Stefani walking away as the sixth Apprentice (and the second female Apprentice, to boot).

The fifth season of The Apprentice started with something new: the first Project Managers were chosen by Trump, and they got to pick their own teams. Also, exemptions were wiped clean from the rules. The season started out with promise, with four international candidates from Canada, Cuba, Great Britain, and Russia, but lost steam as the more interesting, colorful candidates, including three of the four international ones, quickly bit the dust and were fired earlier than the blander, less interesting ones. The show ended up with what's been considered to be its worst final two ever, and in the end, the final international candidate, Sean Yazbeck, claimed victory over Lee Bienstock, the youngest candidate to ever make it to the final two, and won the title of the fifth Apprentice, as well as the honor of being the first winner to not be a native-born American.

The fourth season of The Apprentice returned to the basics -- the same men vs. women format and winning Project Managers winning exemption -- but this time, with a twist. The winning Project Managers would only receive exemption from Trump if the team cast a majority vote to okay it. The season, which featured the first-ever openly gay contestant and first-ever Russian immigrant, easily shaped up to be one of the best seasons of the show, with an interesting cast, exciting tasks, and even the show's first-ever quadruple-firing! In the end, Dr. Randal Pinkett faced off with Rebecca Jarvis in the final two and won his rightful title as the fourth Apprentice and the first African-American winner. However, the finale was marred by his refusing Trump's offer to hire Rebecca, as well, in what would've been the show's first double-hiring.

The third season of The Apprentice included a new twist: there are already two preset teams, "Book Smarts" and "Street Smarts" (Magna Corporation and Net Worth Corporation, respectively). They went head-to-head to see which team was smarter. In the end, the question was answered in the showdown of the century -- Kendra Todd, a college graduate, faced off against Tana Goertz, a high school graduate, in the show's first all-female final two. While in the end, the Book Smarts won the battle, as Kendra was given the grand prize and the title of the third Apprentice (and the first female Apprentice, to boot), the experiment of season three showed that both groups of people can be very successful.

The second season of The Apprentice pitted men and women against each other again, but with several changes. The winning Project Manager, or team leader, received an exemption the next week should his or her team lose the task. The tasks became tougher, the judging became harder, and the contestants became fiercer. By the end of the season, Kelly Perdew, though met with tough competition by Jennifer Massey, took his place with Trump on the other side of the boardroom table as the second Apprentice.

The first, and now classic, season of The Apprentice asked the age-old question: which gender is smarter? Packed with memorable contestants and mesmerizing moments, the first season was an enormous hit, garnering some of NBC's best ratings in years. By season's end, Bill Rancic was told, "You're hired!" and named the first and original Apprentice over Kwame Jackson, and all of the cast members became instant celebrities, with Donald Trump, as always, at the head of the pack.

NBC Broadcast History
January 8 & 15, 2004-- Thursday 8:30pm
January 14 & 28, 2004 through April 14, 2004 -- Wednesday 8:00pm (Repeats)
January 21, 2004 -- Wednesday 8:00pm (First Run Episode)
January 29, 2004 - Present Day -- Thursday 9:00pm
September 11, 2004 - September 25, 2004 -- Saturday 8:00pm
October 2, 2004 - October 23, 2004 -- Saturday 9:00pm (Repeats)

Special Presentations February 5 & 12, 2004 -- Thursday 8:42pm (Special Supersized Episodes)
April 17, 2004 -- Saturday 9:00pm (2 Hour Rebroadcast Season 1 Finalé)
September 9, 2004; January 20, 2005 -- Thursday 8:30pm (1 1/2 Hour Season Premieres)
September 16, 2004 -- Thursday 9:20pm (Special Supersized Episode 1 Hour & 40 Minutes)
September 29, 2004 -- Wednesday 9:00pm (Day Early)
December 1, 2004 -- Wednesday 8:00pm (Recap Special, Day Early) January 27, 2005 -- Thursday 8:30pm (Special Supersized Episode)
March 24, 2005 -- Thursday 8:30pm (Special Time)

CNBC also airs episodes of The Apprentice on a rotating schedule (when the season is current)

Global Broadcast History (Canada)
January 8 & 15, 2004 -- Thursday 8:30pm
January 14 & 28, 2004 -- Wednesday 8:00pm (Repeats)
January 21, 2004 -- Wednesday 8:00pm (First Run Episode)
January 29, 2004 - Present Day -- Thursday 9:00pm
October 2, 2004 - October 23, 2004 -- Saturday 9:00pm (Repeats

Special Presentations in Canada April 18, 2004 -- Sunday 1:06am (2 Hour Rebroadcast Season 1 Finalé)
September 9, 2004 -- Thursday 8:30pm (1 1/2 Hour Season 2 Premiere) September 16, 2004 -- Thursday 9:20pm (Special Supersized Episode 1 Hour & 40 Minutes)
September 29, 2004 -- Wednesday 9:00pm (Day Early)
December 1, 2004 -- Wednesday 8:00pm (Recap Special, Day Early)
January 20, 2005 -- Thursday 8:30pm (1 1/2 Hour Season 3 Premiere)
January 27, 2005 -- Thursday 8:30pm (Special Supersized Episode) March 24, 2005 -- Thursday 8:30pm (Special Time) The Apprentice (US Version)in Other Countries: New Zealand: 8:35 PM on TV2 Hong Kong: 8.35 PM Saturdays on TVB Pearl Latin America:9PM Wednesdays on People+Arts (a BBC-Discovery Channel) Turkey: 9PM Thursdays on CNN Turk Sweden: 10:30 PM Sundays on Kanal 5 United Kingdom: 6 PM Weekdays on BBC-2 Brazil: 9PM Wednesdays on People+Arts (a BBC-Discovery Channel). A Brazilian version, O Aprendiz airs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 PM on People+Arts and at 10:15 PM on Rede Record The Apprentice Theme Song is "For the Love of Money" by The O'Jays. The Apprentice is created by Mark Burnett, the mind behind series like Survivor, The Contender, and The Restaurant. The Apprentice has been instantly successful, garning Emmy ratings, spinoffs (the upcoming The Apprentice: Martha Stewart), copycat series, spoofs, DVD sets, and books. While only premeiring a year ago, it is regarded as a shining classic in a genre filled with junk.… Expand

Genre(s): Reality, Game Show

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E16. Down to the Wire (3)
Air Date: April 15, 2004
tbd
S1:E15. Down to the Wire (2)
Air Date: April 15, 2004
tbd
S1:E14. Down to the Wire (1)
Air Date: April 8, 2004

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Ken Tucker

Jun 17, 2013

Trump, with his perpetual scowl, petulantly thrust lower lip, and hoarse tirades ('I hate people to be late!'), is a surprisingly engaging -- and engaged -- host, managing to look genuinely puzzled by the contestants' bunglings, and airily refusing to remain neutral. Read full review

Phil Rosenthal

Jul 2, 2013

Compelling... While "The Apprentice" is not without its humor as the budding entrepreneurs inevitably stumble and jostle for position, this is a show that runs counter to the current trend in reality TV in which the wealthy are ridiculed. Instead, it shows the hard work and innovation required to become rich. [7 Jan 2004]

Gail Pennington

Jul 2, 2013

It's a refreshing change, though, to see competitions based on mental achievement and eliminations based on merit, not whim. [8 Jan 2004]

Matt Zoller Seitz

Jul 2, 2013

Like most Burnett productions, "The Apprentice" is half game show, half sociological experiment - a glitzy, fast-paced TV program that simultaneously manages to critique and celebrate the Western World's cutthroat obsession with success. [7 Jan 2004]

David Hinckley

Jul 2, 2013

The "Apprentice" vision of "reality" is pretty much summarized by the fact that somehow all the women are slender and attractive. [8 Jan 2004]

Jonathan Storm

Jul 2, 2013

As with most of the Peacock's "reality" TV, The Apprentice offers some amusement, but not a whole lot, to recommend it. [8 Jan 2004]

Robert Bianco

Jul 2, 2013

Burnett is reality royalty, but he seems to have fallen for a faulty premise: that anyone outside of NBC's New York offices cares enough about Trump to want to watch a group of suck-ups compete for his favors. [8 Jan 2004]

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User Score

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User Reviews

chughead

Jan 13, 2012

Its Survivor in suits! Breakthrough show that grew into a fad and desperately made comeback with celebs. Like an 80's one hit wonder has all the bubblegum pop with no poetic message. But its a contagious hit!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Seasons & Episodes

57

Series Overview
Season 15

33
- Season 15 Overview
  Air Date: January 2, 2017
Season 14

tbd
- Season 14 Overview
  Air Date: January 4, 2015
Season 13

tbd
- Season 13 Overview
  Air Date: March 3, 2013
Season 12

tbd
- Season 12 Overview
  Air Date: February 19, 2012
Season 11

63
- Season 11 Overview
  Air Date: March 6, 2011
Season 10

73
- Season 10 Overview
  Air Date: September 16, 2010
Season 9

tbd
- Season 9 Overview
  Air Date: March 14, 2010
Season 8

tbd
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: March 1, 2009
Season 7

tbd
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: January 3, 2008
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: January 7, 2007
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: February 27, 2006
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 22, 2005
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: January 20, 2005
Season 2

73
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 9, 2004
Season 1

57
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 8, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E16. Down to the Wire (3)
  Air Date: April 15, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E15. Down to the Wire (2)
  Air Date: April 15, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E14. Down to the Wire (1)
  Air Date: April 8, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E13. The Price is Height
  Air Date: April 1, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E12. Circus, Circus
  Air Date: March 25, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E11. A Look Back (1)
  Air Date: March 18, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E10. Wheeling & Dealing
  Air Date: March 11, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E9. DNA, Heads, and the Undead Kitty
  Air Date: March 4, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E8. Ice Escapades
  Air Date: February 26, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E7. Dupe-lex
  Air Date: February 19, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E6. Tit for Tat
  Air Date: February 12, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E5. Trading Places
  Air Date: February 5, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E4. Ethics, Shmethics
  Air Date: January 29, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E3. Respect
  Air Date: January 21, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E2. Sex, Lies and Altitude
  Air Date: January 15, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E1. Meet the Billionaire
  Air Date: January 8, 2004