Maisy Fernandez,
Feb 26, 2009
When the cast for The Celebrity Apprentice 2, which premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. on NBC, was announced, we felt pretty meh about it. A few notable and current names are on board -- Joan Rivers, for instance -- but in most cases, the program can easily be called Long Lost Celebrities Are Out Of Work And Need Exposure. But that's kind of a long title, so we'll forgive NBC for trying to make it more user-friendly.
Anyway, we realize people like Angelina Jolie and Sean Penn have bigger fish to fry than to appear on this show. But isn't there a happy medium somewhere? That's why we've come up with 10 stars we'd like to see on Celebrity Apprentice.
1. Rosie O'Donnell
Yeah, yeah, we know about her history with host Donald Trump. But being a successful businesswoman depends on one's ability to broker deals with people, even if you hate their guts. Rosie's an accomplished actress and talk show host, but she's also showed some entrepreneurial fortitude in writing, starring in and co-producing the Lifetime movie America (which premieres at 9 p.m., Saturday on the network). Also, her participation on this show, years after her huge public blowout with The Donald, would make it infinitely interesting.
2. Kanye West
While immensely talented, this man is known for throwing a fit when he doesn't win every music award for which he's nominated. His tantrums would make for some good television, but the process also might teach him some much-needed humility as well.
3. Paula Abdul
With the addition of Kara DioGuardi to American Idol, there has been speculation that crazy Paula might be out of a job soon. If she won, perhaps they could give her a real job, instead of donating money to her charity? Just sayin'.
4. Tina Fey
She's smart enough to win and creative enough to give an interesting twist to challenges. Plus, a sharp mind and quick wit certainly go a long way when dealing with people. Also, with 30 Rock she's already in bed with NBC. Certainly they could lend her to another show for a bit.
5. Spencer Pratt
We hate to acknowledge that this prickly layabout is even a celebrity, but he's higher on the fame food chain than current Apprentice contestants like poker player Annie Duke or Playboy Playmate Brande Roderick. We nominate him because he's able to sell his b.s. to his fiancée, Heidi Montag, all day and night. But does he have enough motivation, pull and persuasion skills to come out on top? Either way, we'd love to actually see this guy work for once.
6. Michael Phelps
You know, we're really tired of hearing about the horror of this incredible Olympic athlete taking a couple of bong hits. (Sheesh -- he just won 8 Olympic gold medals! Give the guy a break.) So, we'd love to see him redeem his public reputation on this show, so that his recent scandal could quietly be swept under the rug.
7. Kiefer Sutherland
Kiefer has said in interviews that filming 24 is ridiculously stressful. But on the show, he's charged with solving problems in record time and coming up with alternatives when Plan A goes awry. Let's see how much the actor has learned from his character.
8. Tim Gunn
Honestly, this choice is for my own personal satisfaction. If Project Runway remains in limbo forever, how will I get my Tim Gunn fix? Surely, he knows how these reality contests operate. He could make it work.
9. Whoopi Goldberg
Before she was famous, Whoopi worked as bricklayer and at a funeral parlor, so she's had "real jobs" before. Besides adding a level head and comic relief to the contest, Whoopi is a confident improv genius, making her adaptable to any speed bump that comes her way. Her laid-back personality practically ensures she won't come unglued and make an ass of herself. That's nice to see in celebrities sometimes.
10. Bridget Marquardt
No celeb reality show is complete without a woman who's graced the pages of Playboy. Of The Girls Next Door, Bridget is the one who also boasts a brain behind her giggly exterior. She's got a bachelor's degree in public relations, a master's in communications and is working on another master's degree in broadcast journalism. Plus, she loves horror movies, so seeing Trump's hair in person shouldn't phase her one bit.
