TV with MeeVee

Afternoon Links As We Await The Most Awesome Night Of TV This Season

Let's see, a kickass "Survivor" - unless you prefer "Ugly Betty" or "My Name Is Earl" and "Scrubs" - followed by the first "The Office" since Jim showed us the engagement ring, followed by "30 Rock" - unless you prefer "Grey's Anatomy" or "CSI" - followed by the return of "Lost." All new for the launch of May sweeps! And that's not even mentioning "Without a Trace" or "Smallville" and the return of "Supernatural." Scripted television is back, baybee! On a night like this, that strike seems a distant memory. But we have a few hours to kill first. So here are a couple things to read...

• Roger Friedman says Jimmy Fallon will take over for Conan when Conan takes over for Jay. (Fox News)
• TV Squad says he's talking through his hat. (TV Squad)
• Friedman, by the way, also has some "Weeds" dish that fans won't want to hear, way down in the same column. (Fox News)
• Kathy says she picked the wrong Dunder-Mifflin week to go on vacation. (GMMR)
• An NBC source says, uh, don't worry about seeing O.J. on "The Apprentice." (TMZ.com)
• Another look at the sag in ratings post-strike. (Hollywood Reporter)
• We forgot to link to this yesterday when it was still sorta news, but Showtime has signed "The Tudors" (right) for season three. (AP)

O.J. Simpson On "The Apprentice?" Over My Dead...Oh, Wait.

Science-fiction writers and satirists have for many years made sport of the possibilities for game shows to cross every line of decency into literally fatal attractions like "Death Race 2000" or "The Running Man." Now, at least according to TMZ.com, the scenario stands a chance of coming true in a strange way. The celeb blog says that O.J. Simpson has reached out to the producers of "The Apprentice" to express his desire to appear on the program. Another pathetic attempt by the psycho to resuscitate his reputation. But it's Donald Trump's show, people, so...anything is possible. TMZ notes there's a lot of backstabbing on the show. Well, he'd take that to the next level. You have to hope NBC would at least have the decency to put a stop to this. But these days even that might be too much to expect. And then Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman would be, what, collateral damage in the Nielsen ratings race?

Morning Reading: Writers Strike, "Eli Stone," "Jericho" And More

• TiFaux has joined the strike-centric Adopt A Writer project, but also has the best criticism of it in the headline for this item: "TV Writers and TV Bloggers: Holding Hands, Riding on Unicorns."
• ABC has added a disclaimer to its controversial premiere of "Eli Stone." (TV Guide)
• Photo spoilers for the season premiere of "Jericho." (Televisionista)
• Bob Newhart will stand in for his late TV spouse, Suzanne Pleshette, where her star on the Walk of Fame is dedicated. (TV Squad)
• Another sign of the apocalypse: "Celebrity Apprentice" gets a second season. but where oh where will they find someone as creepy as Gene Simmons (right)? (TV Squad)
• Screen Actors Guilding begins to prepare for its negotiations with the producers. (LA Times)
• "Idol" and "House" kick ass in Tuesday ratings. Duh. (TV Decoder)
• Another studio strikes a side deal with the writers. (Scribe Vibe)
• Self-aggrandizing douchebag Dr. Phil says he "regrets" the Britney mess, but, uh, he didn't violate anyone's trust, and he only did what he did to "stop speculation." (AP)
• On the bright side, "Montel" is history. (H'wood reporter via Reuters)
• Breaking "24" news: Chloe is pregnant! Well, not Chloe, but the actress who plays her. (E!)

Tonight "Celebrity Apprentice" Brings Together Trump, Simmons, Big Pussy

Tonight at 9, NBC rolls out Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice," in which the silly, cutthroat business games are played by celebs including Gene Simmons of KISS, Marilu Henner of "Taxi," boxer Lennox Lewis and Vincent "Big Pussy" Pastore of "The Sopranos." Trump, Simmons and Henner got on the phone recently to talk about it, and here's some of what they said...

Question: I’m wondering if this gang is able to live life and kick ass in life better than the others?

Donald Trump: Well I’ll tell you what really surprised me ... I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting. These are people that are successful people, celebrities, some unbelievably successful like Gene and, you know, his record, it’s been amazing what he’s done over the years. And we’ve really had an amazing crop of people.  And I didn’t know whether or not they were going to take it that seriously. I didn’t know whether or not they were going to be as competitive as kids getting out of Harvard and Yale, and Wharton, and all the different schools who, you know, were fighting for their lives.

It turned out to be, I think, the best Apprentice we’ve done and that includes Apprentice Number One which actually became, for many weeks, the number one show on television. I think this is even better. And the level of - I don’t want to use the word viciousness, but I will…

Marilu Henner: You can use that word.

Trump: You know what I’m saying, Marilu. I mean, the level of the spirit and viciousness even was just unbelievable. And I realized - at first I didn’t understand why and then I realized that each one of these folks have a big reputation to protect and a big brand to protect, whether it’s Marilu or Gene, or Lennox Lewis, or Tito Ortiz who as you know is a great fighter also. And, you know, it’s - it was amazing. There was no game playing. There was no fooling around. There was no laziness. There was just a degree that I would never have thought possible.

Morning reading

Hollywood is easing into the holiday vacation season, but perhaps because of the many uncertainties associated with the writers strike, the news keeps a-comin'.

• Explaining schedule changes for the debuts of "Celebrity Apprentice" and "Cashmere Mafia." (TV Decoder)
• Fans think Tila Tequila blew her chance at happiness by playing it straight. (Buddy TV)
• "The Dead Zone" is. And so are the "4400." (TV Guide and Hollywood Reporter)
• The guy suing David Chase for some "Sopranos" cash got whacked by the jury. Which is a good thing because TV bloggers are getting low on mob metaphors for the case. (E! Online)

"Celebrity Apprentice" Pushed Back A Week

No word on why - they didn't mention it on the phone Monday - but the debut of Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" has been pushed back a week, to Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. We know you'll want to mark your calendars, change your plans, etc.

Donald Trump, Gene Simmons And Marilu Henner Talk "Celebrity Apprentice"

Words cannot describe how strange and hilarious it is to be on the phone with Donald Trump and Marilu Henner and ... wait for it! ... Gene Simmons of KISS! All three got on a conference call with reporters today to talk about "Celebrity Apprentice," which bows Jan. 3 on NBC unless global warming causes certain egos to expand uncontrollably until they explode. Which does not really seem all that far away.

Besides Simmons and "Taxi" actress Henner, the rest of the cast of 14 celebs playing for their favorite charities includes Trace Adkins, Lennox Lewis, Nadia Comaneci, Omarosa and Vincent Pastore of "The Sopranos."

With the celebs, "I wasn't really sure what I was getting," admitted Trump, who never sounds unsure of anything. "I didn't know whether or not they were going to take it that seriously, whether they'd be as competitive as the kids coming out of Wharton and Harvard Business School who are fighting for their lives."

But they were, he said. "I don't know if I want to use the word 'viciousness,' but I will," he said as the other two laughed. "The level of spirit and of viciousness, even, was just unbelievable."

The show has been shot except for the live-if-we-can-work-out-the-logistics finale, Trump said, and we will see a couple of "unbelievable feuds" between celebrities. He promised shows full of "love and hate."

"There was hate," confirmed Simmons.

MeeVee Video Top 5: Clash of the Choirs, Celebrity Apprentice, and more

Can you say snubbed? In a tumultuous year for shows with the whole writer's strike debacle, some shows are even further getting screwed.  This time in the awards category. The Golden Globe nominations are out and shows like The Sopranos, The Office, and Lost got the royal paddle to the behind. O well, life goes on.

Here is a random assortment of this week's Video Top 5. Meet the sopranos in Patti LaBelle's choir from "Clash of the Choirs." And unlike our Jersey gangsters, they're only lethal with their voices.

With celebs like Jenny Finch, Gene Simmons, and Steven Baldwin, this season's "Celebrity Apprentice" definitely should be interesting. Catch some upcoming drama on the Apprentice's new season.

Guest soccer star David Beckham appears on this week's "Snoop Dogg's Fatherhood." He's gonna "Snoop it like Beckham."

Also check out clips from ABC Family's "25 Days of Christmas."

Finally, we have more Happy Tree Friends. This week, catch the Kringles (Part 2) for our YouTube Clip of the Week. Happy Holidays!

NBC Releases Apprentice-Free Lineup, Entire World Cries

NBC has released its 2007-2008 primetime lineup, which features five new dramas and a variety of fresh new reality programs but no Apprentice.

So, does this mean self-made millionaire trust-fund baby Donald Trump will be going back to his normal day job?  And by that I mean calling every celebrity within earshot a fat, ugly, poor loser?  Not necessarily, said a harbinger of bad news.

Although The Apprentice is excluded on NBC’s announcement, it doesn’t imply that the Donald Trump’s show will be coming to an end. "We haven't made a decision [yet]," NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly has told reporters in a press conference. "Donald [Trump] still wants to do it, [The Apprentice executive producer] Mark [Burnett] wants to do it."

Get the full story at BuddyTV >>

Apprentice's Kristine Lefebvre to Expose Naughty Bits

Although Kristine Lefebvre, former participant on the reality show The Apprentice, was eliminated on April 8, she remains in the limelight with her spanking new hype. "The Schmoozer" has landed a gig with Playboy, gracing the pages of the popular magazine’s June 2007 issue.

Lefebvre, a 37-year old native of Frankfurt, Germany, presently handles sports and entertainment licensing at a renowned law firm.

Get the rest of Kristine's story at Buddy TV>>

Pirate Master: CBS, Mark Burnett to Make Pirates Uncool

In the beginning, pirates were cool. Then, Jerry Bruckheimer made three movies about them. And they were still cool, sort of.

Now, Survivor / The Apprentice / Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader producer Mark Burnett is turning pirates into a reality show. Will they retain their sea cred?

Pirate Master will premiere Thursday, May 31 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Australian actor Cameron Daddo will host. Pirate Master will send 16 modern-day pirates on a high seas adventure where they will live as buccaneers and travel around the Caribbean island of Dominica in search of hidden treasure that will total $1 million.

Get the rest of the Pirate Master story at The TV Remote>>

Weekend Picks: April 20-22

Wife, Mom, Bounty Hunter -- Series Premiere
Kicking butt and taking names! This brand-new series features the daily life of a female bounty hunter named Sandra. In this debut episode, Miss Femme Fatale checks on a "skip," then heads back home for her daughter's birthday party. You know, the usual.

The Apprentice -- Series Finale
Find out which of the four crafty business peeps wins the coveted apprenticeship with Donald Trump, as the show whisks off to the famous Hollywood Bowl. Which lucky soul will hear the words "You're hired?"

The Simpsons -- Marge Gamer
Marge goes online for the first time, and becomes obsessed with a role-playing game that Bart and many of their neighbors are playing. Meanwhile, Lisa develops her own obsession -- for soccer -- and Homer becomes a referee.

The Sopranos -- Remember When
Tony and Paulie take a trip south to escape some potentially sticky situations in New Jersey. Junior recovers part of his old self during a poker game. Expect lots of attitude and near misses.

MeeVee Video Top 5: Lost, Pussycat Doll Search, Trump and Snoop

Not since the wild combo of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley has Hollywood been so "Hollyweird." Snoop Dogg makes an unlikely appearance in Donald Trump's clean-cut, white-collar world on The Apprentice. Although, when you think about it, Snoop and The Donald share a common bond: They're both all about the Benjamins. Perhaps a variety show could be in store for this rare pair?

This week, Video Top 5 also highlights Lost, Robin Hood, the Pussycat Dolls' new reality show, and MTV's online world called Virtual Hills. As an added bonus, MeeVee fans can check out President Bush in a "brain battle" against Prime Minister Tony Blair. In this well-edited spoof on the former hit game show The Weakest Link, viewers will witness one of the most intense conflicts between the US and Great Britain since the Revolutionary War.

The Apprentice: No Hablo Español

The Apprentice
Title: "Episode Six"
First Aired: 2/18/07
Aimee may have skated by with a dismal performance as project manager last week on The Apprentice, but it only takes an episode or two for Donald Trump to smell a rat. Miss Aimee’s been ousted, and Team Kinetic has a new lease on this backstabbing game. Arrow, however, is back in the mansion, which means there’s plenty of space for Tim and Nicole to keep up their canoodling.

The Apprentice: Honey, You're Just Too Soft

The Apprentice
Title: "To Bee or Not to Bee"
First Aired: 2/11/07

How on earth did a nice, quiet beach boy find himself on The Apprentice?  Whatever the reason for this heinous snafu, the nice guy got the boot. Not exactly last place, but close enough.

The Apprentice: Let's Play Chicken

The Apprentice
Title: Episode 4
First Aired: 1/28/07

It’s Episode Four in the Trump takedown, and Team Kinetic has shown no signs of faltering. A couple of squeaky wheels have already been ceremoniously fired, and the stakes just keep getting higher. This week’s challenge focused on a few crazy chickens, and the team that clucked the loudest received the keys to the castle. These are no small victories.

Jan. 8: Dog Parties with Carrot Top, Katharine McPhee is Over It

*Dog the Bounty Hunter parties down with Carrot Top [Glitterati]
*Fiancé feeds shrinking Grey's Anatomy star [The Hollywood Gossip]
*Katharine McPhee is over it [Popbytes]
*Roughin' it Real World-style  [Pop Culture Junkies]
*Apprentice wannabe has a hot hubby [TMZ]

 

Trump, Vieira, O’Donnell Continue To Argue Like Children

The fallout from Donald Trump’s fiery interview with Meredith Vieira on NBC’s Today continues just 24 hours after the dustup. Trump appeared on the morning show yesterday with daughter Ivanka, apparently hoping to promote The Apprentice. Then, when Vieira brought up Trump's ongoing public feud with Rosie O’Donnell, things got ugly. The Donald blasted Meredith for bringing up the feud, and Vieira fired right back, saying Trump was guilty of “fueling the fire.”

Weekend Picks: Jan. 5-7

Masters of Horror -- Valerie on the Stairs
Mick Garris wrote and directed this adaptation of Clive Barker's original screenplay about a writer whose new muse is a troubled -- and possibly evil -- ghost. Christopher Lloyd stars.

Grease: You're the One That I Want
Just what the world needs -- another Sandy and Danny singing about Summer Nights! In the premiere of this new reality series, hopeful singers/actors take their shots at the lead roles in the new Broadway production of Grease.

The Apprentice -- To Have and Have Not
The Donald returns with for a sixth season with eighteen new ass-kissers -- I mean, candidates -- who will compete for a coveted position with the man himself. This time, the action takes place in sunny Los Angeles, which allows the losing team to spend a great deal of time outside. Yep, they have to live in tents.

The Apprentice: Los Angeles -- Trump Keeps it in the Family

The Apprentice: Los Angeles begins Sunday, January 7, on NBC.

Enough with the Trump Towers and cutthroat NYC attitudes -- this season, The Apprentice is moving to the charmed and sparkling beaches of Los Angeles. But before you assume our man Trump has gone all sandy-soft, know one thing: It doesn’t get any more brutal than this.

Jan. 4: The Donald Goes Nuts, Plug is Pulled on Megan Mullally

*The sun is setting on The O.C. [GMMR]
*Lost star splits from hubby of six months [Glitterati]
*Heroes have their day with Jay Leno [Pop Culture Junkies]
*Apprentice contest will let viewer shadow winner [Reality Blurred]
*The Donald goes nuts on Today Show [TMZ]
*NBC pulls the plug on Megan Mullally show [Past Deadline]

 

Jan. 3: Mischa Barton is Bummed, Babwa Sides With Rosie, Trump Kids Concerned About Credibility

*Getting to know The Knights of Prosperity [GMMR]
*C-list celebs join forces for Armed & Famous [Reality Blogs]
*BET taps The Wire for basic cable premiere [The Futon Critic]
*Mischa Barton is bummed [Popsugar]
*Trump kids initially avoided Apprentice over "credibility" concerns [Reality Blurred]
*Babwa sides with Rosie over The Donald [TMZ]

 

Dec. 26: The Donald Sues Again, Tim Gunn Tops Reality Whores List, Oprah Lives In Sin

*The Donald threatens to sue -- again [Glitterati]
*Shocks in store on next episode of Lost [BuzzSugar]
*Project Runway's Tim Gunn tops "Reality Whore" list [Reality Blurred]
*Oprah gives living in sin a try [A Socialite's Life]
*James Brown leaves his mark on television [TVGasm]

Nov. 30: Eva Longoria Engaged, 50 Cent Bashes Oprah, Carrie Underwood Defends Faith Hill

*Barney and Marshall sing for Megan Mullally [GMMR]
*The Jericho mystery continues online [The Futon Critic]
*Carrie Underwood defends Faith Hill [ICPIN]
*Eva Longoria is engaged [TMZ]
*The Apprentice is moving to Sundays [Reality Blurred]
*50 Cent bashes Oprah Winfrey [The Hollywood Gossip]

 

Glitterati Gossip: Trump To Carolyn Kepcher: "You're Fired!"

Holy Mother of all that is The Apprentice:

The Donald has fired Carolyn Kepcher. According to the NY Post, an insider said that Trump thought Carolyn was becoming a "prima donna" and figured she was more focused on becoming some sort of television star rather than doing her job. Someone has been quoted as saying, "Being on 'The Apprentice' went to her head. She was no longer focused on business. She was giving speeches for $25,000 and doing endorsements."

Get the full story on Glitterati Gossip...

Review: The Apprentice Season Finale

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new Apprentice.

In the part-live, part-recap episode, the suspense was ratcheted up as we followed the dueling duo through their final tasks, and ultimately their final boardroom. Both were assigned the de rigueur task of running a charity event. Lee, along with his Gold Rush gang of Pepi (?!), Roxanne and Lenny, were put in charge of organizing a celebrity hockey game and Pontiac auction, which invoked such blockbuster star power as Jason Priestly (forced to wander the halls of a hockey arena with no escort) and a Baldwin (whom I believe to have been Stephen, although one can never be too sure with that rogue gang of brothers). Sean and his Synergy crew put on a Barenaked Ladies concert (who very happily opened their set with-- what else--  One Week) and, yup, you guessed it, a Pontiac auction… gotta love the shameless product plugging. More after the jump

That’s Ivanka…with a ‘k’!

Yes, it’s true, the Donald’s daughter, Ivankya Trump – a 24-year-old former model and Vice-President of real estate development at the Trump Organization (emphasis added!) –  will be appearing on The Apprentice over the next five weeks. Hmmm, hires daughter...with no experience...in real estate...to help fire...aspiring business tycoons.