TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Omarosa Returns To Trump's 'Apprentice'

ADVERTISEMENT

By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2007

Donald Trump will crack the whip over 14 people who have some claim to fame when ''Celebrity Apprentice'' debuts Jan. 3 on NBC.

In some cases, the term "celebrity" is being very loosely applied here. The cast includes a woman who is famous for failing on Trump's other ''Apprentice'' shows, the mean-tempered Omarosa.

Her full name is Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, but people know her as Omarosa. Since being on ''The Apprentice'' in 2004, she has made a career out of being a former reality show star. She has been on ''Fear Factor,'' ''The Surreal Life,'' ''The Battle of the Reality Stars'' and ''The All-Star Reality Reunion.''

Also in the group are actor Stephen Baldwin (the ugly Baldwin brother); Vincent Pastore (aka ''Big Pussy'' from ''The Sopranos''; rocker Gene Simmons of Kiss; and Marilu Henner, who may be best remembered for ''Taxi'' although she has had other roles, including playing Burt Reynolds' wife on ''Evening Shade.''

The rest are about as famous as the casts of ''Surreal Life'': Nely Galan, former entertainment president of Telemundo; actress-model Carol Alt; country music star Trace Adkins; Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Nadia Comaneci; Playboy Playmate of the Year Tiffany Fallon; Olympic softball gold medalist Jennie Finch; heavyweight boxing champ Lennox Lewis; ''America's Got Talent'' judge Piers Morgan and mixed martial arts star Tito Ortiz.

The blustery Trump will divide them into teams and give them challenges similar to the ones on previous ''Apprentice'' shows.

Instead of a job with Trump, the winner will get $250,000 donated to a favorite charity.

TURNING A PAIGE: Actress-host Paige Davis will return to TLC's ''Trading Spaces'' when a new season begins in January.

Davis was host when the home remodeling show was a hit. It has skidded downward in the ratings since she left in 2005.

Davis left after a couple of minor flaps that may have cost her the job. She had appeared on the cover of TV Guide wearing nothing but strips of wallpaper, and she was photographed showing a lot of skin during a charity fundraiser.

Davis had perkily hosted the show, which features neighbors swapping homes and redecorating a room, since 2001.

She has also appeared on Broadway in the musicals ''Beauty and the Beast'' and ''Chicago.''

''BIG BROTHER'' CASTING: With no end in sight for the writers' strike, the networks are cranking out those reality shows. CBS reportedly is considering a February start for ''Big Brother,'' which usually airs in the summer.

A casting call is under way with a stop Dec. 8 in Tampa, one of 17 cities where talent scouts will be seeking players for ''Big Brother 9.''

The casting is from noon to 3 p.m. at Dubliner Irish Pub, 2307 W. Azeele St. Go to cbs.com for details.

If you watch the show, you know it involves a group of strangers who share a house that has cameras on 24/7. It's a three-month ordeal, with houseguests voting people out every week. The last houseguest wins a prize.

OPRAH'S FAVORITE THINGS: Oprah Winfrey discovers the joys of Macon, Ga., on today's special installment of ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' at 4 p.m. on WFLA, Channel 8.

She surprises an audience of 300 in Macon with her 2007 list of ''Oprah's Favorite Things.'' Those lucky folks get some of the goodies.

Winfrey calls the residents of Macon ''just about the most gracious, hospitable folks I've ever come across.'' She also notes that 45 percent of the viewers in Macon who are watching TV at 4 p.m. are watching her show.

On Friday's episode, Winfrey visits select locations around Macon, including a popular restaurant, clothing boutique and hot dog stand. (Could it be the famed Nu-Way Weiners?)

She also surprises local residents by knocking on doors and paying unannounced visits.

Viewers can find the list of ''Oprah's Favorite Things'' immediately after Tuesday's broadcast at Oprah.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT