The Celebrity Apprentice is back with a cast more akin to It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World than Barnum and Bailey's three-ring circus. Actually, Season 4 of the star-studded reality romp plays more like a hybrid of the two with a pinch of Rocky Horror Picture Show thrown in for good measure.
Following in the career-enhancing footsteps of such reality fare as Dancing With the Stars and American Idol, this season boasts more than its share of name celebrities. There's Oscar Winner Marlee Matlin (complete with her own sign language interpreter), Oscar nominee Gary Busey, Grammy winners Dionne Warwick and Meat Loaf, former teen idol David Cassidy, and supermodel Niki Taylor. Add Playboy centerfold Hope Dworaczyk, country crooner John Rich, rapper Lil Jon, author and baseball slugger Jose Canseco, Michael Jackson's sister LaToya Jackson, former host of The View and current attorney Star Jones, reality housewife Nene Leakes, Harry Hamlin spouse Lisa Rinna, Survivor heavyweight and tax evader Richard Hatch, and Sugar Ray vocalist Mark McGrath to the mix for a season chock full of star power.
The higher star wattage may have something to do with celebrities such as Bret Michaels, Piers Morgan, Joan and Melissa Rivers, Curtis Stone, Holly Robinson Peete, and Sharon Osborne enjoying upticks in their careers, all of whom appeared in seasons past. I'm just happy to see so many familiar faces on a show I have followed since its debut.
Sunday night's installment opened with a recap of the week before. The men and women were divided into two teams, Team Backbone and Team A.S.A.P., respectively. After the men lost the selling pizzas task, David Cassidy got the boot for rubbing Project Manager (PM) Richard Hatch the wrong way. He also wimped-out in the boardroom. Jose made no bones about wanting to punch Richard in the face, but refrained from making a scene in front of The Donald. Meanwhile, having raised over $169,000 — the most money ever raised on a first challenge — A.S.A.P. PM Star had the honor of transfering the gargantuan sum to her favorite charity, The American Heart Association.
The two teams briefly trash talked in the waiting room, then regrouped for their next task. Each received orders to create and write a children's book to be performed for four and five-year-olds. Judging the task would be children's book publisher Margery Cuyler and children's book author and former contestant Holly Robinson Peete.
Article comments
1 - BGinAZ
The remainder of girl's team had better sharpen their claws before the next task. The only way to survive is to keep your back against the wall and strike before you have time to think about it.
I'm waiting for Marlee Matlin to get ahold of Star and Dionne. She can lash it out with the best of 'em and I think she will, really soon.
Star Jones - What ever made you think you are a Queen? A drag queen, maybe! (No offense to drag queens meant). I felt your cruelty towards Lisa Rinna was based on pure jealousy. Who do you think you are to treat people so bad? You should be ashamed of yourself.
Dionne Warwick - What a disappointment! I've listened to your music for as long as I can remember and then to hear that same voice lash out at Marlee Matlin like she had a contagious disease. Those kids were totally fascinated watching Marlee on stage signing the words to the book. They were mezmarized. You should have listened to her idea and you might have won the task!
2 - Cheryl
I was stunned at Star and Dionne's behavior. I felt badly for Star after The View fiasco but now I see they probably had their fill of her BS. Dionne was obnoxious and condescending. I'm done with both of these bi-otches.
3 - Heather S.
I can't believe Star and Dionne....low class losers each one!
4 - Barb S
I agree - Star and Dionne are very condescending, liars, and do not deserve to be on any TV show. I used to be a fan of Dionne's but will never listen to her music again. And on the other side I was never a big fan of Lisa but now I am - she is a good person, gracious and she was railroaded by all the black women on the show.
5 - CherylT
I agree that the women's team has some vipers in the pit, but don't discount the struggle for the men. I sure hope Marlee will hold her own now that Lisa is gone. Those women are a tough bunch.
6 - Linda S
I too am very disappointed in Dion and Star. I was very surprised to see that side of Dion. It's like Lisa said they just didn't show any kindness at all. They were very mean-spirited. I hate to see that but this show does tend to bring you the real personality and not what you thought the celebrity was. The real person comes out on this show and it is very disheartening to see how mean people actually are. I hope Star and Dion tear each other apart on the upcoming shows.
7 - CJ
I agree with all the above. I would like to know why Mr. Trump thought only Star and Dionne's opinions were the most important because the only other opinions given (which were few) were offered and not asked for. It was almost like everyone was afraid of Star and Dionne and were intimidated .