Thursday, September 15, 2005

NBC Announces New Twist On APPRENTICE

For the first time in NBC´s APPRENTICE history, Donald Trump greets his 18 young entrepreneurs outside of Manhattan and tees up a big twist in the first 10 minutes that will give the candidates a serious run for their money (Sept. 22, 9-10 p.m. ET/PT). After dividing the teams, Trump announces a second twist -- the winning project managers will only be exempt the following week if their team members grant them that privilege.

For the first task, Trump instructs the candidates to jump into the $13 billion fitness industry and create a new fitness plus class for Bally Total Fitness. Teams choose between two gyms in demographically diverse areas, where they create and market their class. The winning team is treated to a lavish lunch with Trump at The Friar´s Club and the losing team is sent to the boardroom where the first candidate is "fired."

Trump´s loyal lieutenants George Ross and Carolyn Kepcher return for a fourth season and the original APPRENTICE, Bill Rancic, returns for several episodes filling in for Ross while he is away on business.

As previously announced, a Rhodes Scholar, NFL player and an inventor are among Trump´s "hand-picked" cast of young entrepreneurs on the fourth season of NBC´s THE APPRENTICE. "For the first time, I hand-picked an APPRENTICE cast and I´m thrilled with the results," said Trump, executive producer. "This is the most talented group we´ve ever assembled. They have it all: beauty, brains, and big bucks." Ranging in age from 22-41, these candidates boast degrees from Oxford, Wharton, MIT, and Georgetown and several of the candidates are already millionaires.