Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2007 > July > 16 > Entry
7/16: Trump, Isaiah are baaack; Patinkin gone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Like “7th Heaven” a year ago, “The Apprentice” has made a miraculous recovery from near oblivion. When NBC announced its 2007-08 schedule to advertisers in May, “The Apprentice” was nowhere to be found after six seasons of progressively weaker ratings. (see below). Donald Trump even released a statement saying he was moving on. But when NBC’s new entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman came in, NBC’s tune changed. Today, the network announced a (gasp!) twist of stupendously groundbreaking proportions: a celebrity edition for midseason.
Yes, Trump will have teams of celebrities vie for… something. The press release wasn’t very clear what the stakes are for these famous folk, who have not been selected. I don’t quite see Danny Bonaduce or Donny Osmond overseeing Trump’ Towers Atlanta. “[C]elebrity contestants will vie for Donald Trump’s attention in what will be the highest-profile competition,” the publicists wrote vaguely. NBC did tell reporters and critics today that it will be for charity and run 13 episodes, fewer than normal to accommodate the celebrities.
Andy Dick and Pauly Shore: call your agents! Oh, and isn’t Rosie O’Donnell available? (Her rep told AP: “It will never happen in this lifetime or beyond.”)
And for a point of reference, watch Trump’s ratings fall!
Season one: 20.7 million
Season two: 16.14 mil
Season three: 13.96 mil
Season four: 11.01 mil
Season five: 9.73 mil
Season six: 7.5 mil
NBC justified bringing it back because it brings in “upscale” viewers, at least a higher percentage of them than most shows. That’s what we in the business now call the “West Wing” defense.
The show, even with “Survivor”-like twists last season in Los Angeles, just couldn’t perk up buzz or ratings. I didn’t think it was awful but the tasks all start looking the same after awhile, especially the ones shilling corporate products. I did get an amusing trinket from Renuzit(r) Super Odor Neutralizer(r), a fake bottle which has a button in which Trump utters “That stinks!” “You’re neutralized” and “You’re fired!”
Do you all think this is even remotely a good idea or should NBC just move on?
Meanwhile, over at CBS, here’s an even bigger shocker: CBS’s “Criminal Minds” lead actor Mandy Patinkin has quit. Here are the statements released by ABC studios and CBS:
ON BEHALF OF ABC STUDIOS AND CBS PARAMOUNT NETWORK TELEVISION:
Last week, Mandy Patinkin asked to be released from his role on Criminal Minds. We have honored this request, which was not in any way connected to contract renegotiations or salary issues. His departure from the series will be explained to audiences in an episode to be filmed in the near future and broadcast early next season. We thank Mandy for helping to make Criminal Minds a strong and successful series, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. A new character will be added to the series for next season.
ON BEHALF OF MANDY PATINKIN:
Due to creative differences, Mandy has asked not to return to Criminal Minds this season. Mandy would like to thank the studios and network for releasing him from the series and he wishes the cast and crew continued success in all of their endeavors and looks forward to continuing to work with the Disney and CBS companies in other capacities in the future.
Here’s some sketchy info from Hollywood Reporter.
This is a massive blow for this show, which build audience its second season and became a reliable hit among CBS’s huge stable of crime dramas. I didn’t watch the show but it had a strong following. Do you think this is a fatal blow for the show?
And Isaiah Washington quickly found new employment after being dumped by “Grey’s Anatomy.” He will be joining NBC’s “Bionic Woman” this fall.
“He’s a wonderful actor and a great performer, and he became available,” said Silverman to reporters at the Beverly Hilton today during the Television Critics Association press tour. That elicited laughter from the scribes.
A press release sent by NBC called Washington’s character “a mysterious person who is brought into the enigmatic scientific organization that is responsible for creating the bionics that turn Jaime Sommers into the ‘Bionic Woman.’ “
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Flo Jean
July 16, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Mandy was released from his contract so he could star in YENTL 2.
By Bryan
July 16, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Hey Rodney,
I like what you’re doing with the TV news. It’s always interesting to find out what’s happening behind the scenes on my favorite shows.
Keep up the good work!
By Paul A.
July 16, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Trump should get Rosie to appear on this turkey TV show. At least there would finally be something interesting on prime-time, network television.
By war eagle
July 16, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
I thought Mr. Washington would star in the BET series “I hate f*” or “the Bionic Black man”? Or Richard Pryor’s comedy sketch “Super Nagger”!
By PinkSherbert
July 16, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
I love Isaiah! I think Grey’s/ABC made a huge mistake by allowing this talented actor to be fired. BIG MISTAKE! HUGE! But I’m happy I’ll still see him on TV this fall!
By Andy
July 16, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
My guess is that Isaiah is cast to play Jaime Sommers’ alter ego… you know, the character she turns into whenever her body starts to reject the bionics. I think “angry black man” would be a way cool alter ego for a robotic white chick.
By JB
July 16, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
You go Isaiah!!! You can keep a good BMW not working too long (Black Man Working)
Jan
By Annoyed in Atlanta
July 17, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
My comment is to war eagle. Why don’t you continue the racism that you so obviously believes that Isaiah Washington displays? Way to show that you are so much more mature than he is. And I doubt that anyone with an IQ higher than 50 found your comment funny.
By Valley Girl
July 17, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
….Isaiah is so cute.
I’m glad he’s working again.
I saw the Larry King interview and wanted to call in….you go Isaiah, make that money!
By zombieboy
July 18, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Damn, I am glad Isiah is back on the tube.
Those punks of “Grey’s” better be glad he did not go off on them…..Isaiah’s got a little street in him if you know what I mean?