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Arnold Schwarzenegger is replacing Donald Trump as the host of “Celebrity Apprentice,” NBC announced on Monday.
As Gossip Cop reported, Trump’s future with the boardroom competition was thrown into jeopardy in June when he announced he was running for president. A short time later, NBC cut ties with the mogul over offensive remarks he made about Mexican immigrants. The network said “Apprentice,” which is not owned by Trump, would go on without him.
A number of names were bandied about over the summer as potential replacements, and Gossip Cop confirmed that George Lopez was a person of interest at one point. But the gig now officially belongs to Schwarzenegger. The former governor of California, Schwarzenegger has returned to his Hollywood life since leaving office. He now says in a statement, “I have always been a huge fan of ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ and the way it showcases the challenges and triumphs of business and teamwork. I am thrilled to bring my experience to the boardroom and to continue to raise millions for charity. Let’s get started.”
Executive producer Mark Burnett says, “After leaving the show to run for political office, Donald made it clear that he wanted ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ to be able to continue to raise millions of dollars annually for worthy causes, and now NBC and I have found an amazing new leader to do just that. Gov. Schwarzenegger will use his vast and highly successful business, political and media experience to drive this hit franchise to new heights.”
Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming for NBC Entertainment, further says, “We are thrilled to be opening a powerful new chapter in the story of the ‘Apprentice’ franchise.” The TV exec goes on to explain, “Arnold Schwarzenegger is the epitome of a global brand in entertainment and business, and his accomplishments in the political arena speak for themselves. It was Arnold’s personal passion for the format that Mark Burnett and Donald Trump built over the last decade, as well as his fresh take on how to take it to new heights for today’s audiences, that made him the man to hire.”
Telegdy amusingly adds, “‘The Celebrity Apprentice’… will be back!” NBC is targeting the 2016-2017 date for the new season, which will be series’ eighth, but the 15th overall for the “Apprentice” franchise. Shortly after the announcement, Schwarzenegger tweeted, “Wow. I’m blown away and honored by all your tweets. I can’t wait to bring my experience to the board room & raise millions for charity.” TELL US: What do you think of Schwarzenegger replacing Donald Trump as the “Celebrity Apprentice” host?
