‘Celebrity Apprentice’ to Return for 2016-2017 Season With New Host

Fans may remember that the latest Celebrity Apprentice renewal was announced by Donald Trump last winter during the finale where Leeza Gibbons beat out Geraldo Rivera for the big win. But when asked if Trump might return to “The Apprentice“, the show he hosted for 14 seasons, Greenblatt was defiant: “Absolutely not”.

“I don’t think somebody who is running for president, and might possibly be the next leader of the free world, would be completely banned from any activities at NBC”, he conceded. I honesty don’t know what else he might want to do business with us.

The network formally cut ties with Trump after Donald’s controversial remarks during his announcement speech. “I assured him that we will continue to cover this campaign with fairness & balance”, Ailes said in a statement.The network announced shortly after that Trump would be appearing on two of its shows on Tuesday, including a lengthy interview with Sean Hannity. Trump was also pressed earlier in the day by CNN host Chris Cuomo on his lack of specific policy proposals since declaring his presidential run. “He does that”, said Greenblatt. “[Trump] does that… Whether you agree with what he says, he says it without any kind of filter”. Both pageants had aired on NBC for the previous 11 years. In July, Trump told ET that he’s confident NBC will take him back.

NBC is putting a pin in Celebrity Apprentice. The show was renewed in February. News the network isn’t ready to name any people in contention for the position, celebrities such as Amal Clooney have allegedly been thrown out there.

“He is a lovely guy. There were no controversies”, said Greenblatt. “At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values”, the network said in a statement at the time.

However, NBC’s top brass shut down any chance of Trump returning as the host of the reality series down the road. “It was a congenial, really great relationship”.