He sold top business minds on a TV show that promised to save the world – and make them famous. They handed over thousands. Then reality set in: Some people just don’t like fame. Now they want their money back.
The series was called “The Apprentice,” and it was about selling business-and life-changing products to celebrities. The show was broadcast in the United States on CBS.
When it first aired on April 23, the show was supposed to last only a few hours. Instead, it lasted for more than nine. It became so popular that its ratings rocketed from a then-record low of just two million viewers to three million. That helped it win a contract to air in other countries such as South Korea.
And now that success is coming to a halt. “The Apprentice” is pulling its episode after episode in a ratings-obsessed industry. NBC is ending its contract with Trump, the network’s chief executive, after he admitted in January that some of his “talents” were below average. That was followed in February by his firing of the show’s former host, Mark Burnett, after the TV personality admitted to using his former show’s profits to pay the legal bills of an ex-wife.
The Apprentice: The TV show turned the world upside down Published 1 week ago by The Conversation On Thursday afternoon, NBC announced that the show had been cancelled. “Since its premiere in April, ‘The Apprentice’ has been one of television’s highest-rated and most-watched programs of the entire season,” NBC said in an email to staff. “While many viewers have found the show to be both entertaining and informative, we have determined that, in keeping with our commitment to the highest possible standards of quality, the show cannot be salvaged with continued participation by Mr. Trump.”
Mark Burnett, President & CEO of Mark Burnett Productions, said in a statement that CBS and Trump had lost “all patience” and that the network had acted in the best interest of both parties.
“I would like to personally thank all of the viewers who have come to appreciate what started as ‘a great idea’,” Burnett added. “I’ve worked with Mark for many years and have always been impressed by
