'Martha Stewart, you're hired'
2005-02-03 11:37
New York - The masterminds behind The Apprentice - Donald Trump and Mark Burnett - and NBC announced on Wednesday that Stewart will host The Apprentice: Martha Stewart.
"Mark and I have always admired her," Trump said. "She's a very brave woman. She's built a multimillion-dollar empire. It was an easy decision. We think this will be an absolutely tremendous success."
Stewart's take on Apprentice should be distinct, Burnett said. "Martha has her own empire, which has a different look and feel," he said.
Juggling work and prison
Since Stewart is not allowed to conduct business while in prison, Burnett made it clear his deal with Stewart was completed before the domestic mogul entered prison - although he has made monthly visits to her.
The filming of her Apprentice could begin as early as March when Stewart goes from prison to house arrest. Under her probation, she will be allowed to work outside of her home, which Burnett said may include shooting the show.
Wednesday's announcement means Stewart will have two shows. She will revive her daily homemaking show next September.
Trump, who will stay in the boardroom for Apprentice seasons four and five, is ready to guide Stewart to success.
"With Branson and Cuban (who attempted to emulate the Apprentice), I wanted them to fail," said Trump. "Fortunately, they did. Martha and I are teammates."
And will Stewart recite Trump's infamous phrase "you're fired" before eliminating contestants?
"She's probably going to use a different expression," said Trump.
Her show will be filmed in either New York or Connecticut, where the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc empire is located. Sixteen to 18 contestants will vie for a one-year job with her company and a $250 000 (about R1.5m) paycheck.
Stewart was convicted last year of lying about why she unloaded shares of ImClone Systems Inc. stock in 2001, just before the price plunged. Stewart began serving her five-month sentence in October, and is scheduled for release in early March from a West Virginia prison.
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- AP