The New Celebrity Apprentice


The New Celebrity Apprentice is the eighth and final installment of the reality game show The Celebrity Apprentice. It aired from January 2 to February 13, 2017. The winner of this season was Matt Iseman.
The season marked the debut of Arnold Schwarzenegger—actor and former Governor of California, as host. The show's former host, current United States President Donald Trump, stated he opted to leave "out of respect" while he was focusing on his presidential campaign. NBC had also begun to cut ties with Trump following controversial remarks he made upon the start of his campaign in 2015. Trump remained as an executive producer through the show's production company, MGM Television.
NBC announced the 16 contestants, as well as advisors Warren Buffett, Tyra Banks, Steve Ballmer, Jessica Alba and Patrick M. Knapp Schwarzenegger on January 28, 2016. On December 1, 2016, six more advisors were announced. Those advisers are former The Apprentice winner Leeza Gibbons, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, Extra co-host Tracey Edmonds, The Biggest Loser host Bob Harper, YouTube star iJustine, and "Moola" CEO Gemma Godfrey. This season was filmed in Los Angeles.
Along with the change of host and location, the catch phrase that accompanied a candidate's termination was changed from "You're fired" to "You're terminated", a reference to one of Schwarzenegger's most famous film roles. Also, instead of sending contestants away in a taxi cab or limousine, Schwarzenegger sends them away with a helicopter, telling them to "get to the chopper", a reference to the film Predator.
On March 3, 2017, Schwarzenegger announced he would leave the show after one season since he did not like the "baggage" attached to the show caused by Trump. On August 3, 2017 NBC announced the show had been cancelled.

Candidates

The cast was announced on January 28, 2016.
CelebrityBackgroundOriginal teamAgeHometownCharityResultRaised
Matt IsemanAmerican Ninja Warrior HostArete45Denver, ColoradoArthritis Foundation16
$923,329
Boy GeorgeGrammy Award-Winning SingerArete55London, EnglandSafe Kids Worldwide15
$545,925
Brooke Burke-CharvetTV HostPrima45Tucson, ArizonaOperation Smile14
$100,000
Laila AliRetired Boxing ChampionPrima39Miami, FloridaWomen's Sports Foundation13
$50,000
Lisa LeslieOlympic Gold MedalistPrima44Inglewood, CaliforniaSemper Fi Fund12
$75,000
Carson KressleyTV HostArete47Orefield, PennsylvaniaTrue Colors Fund11
$25,000
Ricky WilliamsESPN Analyst/Former NFL StarArete39San Diego, CaliforniaDr. John E. Upledger Foundation10
Porsha WilliamsReal Housewife of AtlantaPrima35Decatur, Georgia09
Chael SonnenMMA FighterArete39West Linn, OregonHire Heroes USA08
Vince NeilMotley Crue Lead SingerArete55Glendora, CaliforniaLou Ruvo Center for Brain Health by Keep Memory Alive07
$769,280
Jon LovitzComedianArete59Tarzana, CaliforniaSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital06
$50,000
Kyle RichardsReal Housewife of Beverly HillsPrima48Beverly Hills, CaliforniaChildren's Hospital Los Angeles05
$25,000
Reality TV IconPrima29Marlboro, New YorkNorth Shore Animal League America04
Eric DickersonFormer NFL Running BackArete56Sealy, TexasYoung Warriors03
Carnie WilsonMusicianPrima48Bel Air, CaliforniaThe Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America02
Carrie KeaganTalk Show HostPrima36Amherst, New YorkThe Humane Society of the United States01

Weekly results

Episodes

Reception

The season received an overwhelmingly negative response and President Donald Trump mocked Arnold Schwarzenegger multiple times regarding the season's low ratings, saying he was a poor fit for the show and was not a good host compared to himself. Katz Television Group's Bill Carroll stated, "Arnold Schwarzenegger was fine, but it was a different dynamic. The Apprentice in the United States was Trump. From the opening credits—the Trump helicopter, the Trump plane, Trump buildings, it was so identified with Trump and his personality that it's difficult to recast."