NBC sees 'Apprentice' inspiring in 'difficult job market' ... and other notes

Recognizing the need to employ everyday people is greater than second-tier celebrities, NBC on Wednesday announced plans to revive the original version of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice."

The timing and language of NBC's announcement suggests that the success of CBS' recently renewed mid-season hit "Undercover Boss" in tapping into the mood of the nation's workers in these tough times played a role in the "Apprentice" call.

"We’ve got to do something about the economy and this is a terrific way to provide jobs as well as business lessons along the way," Trump said in the announcement."NBC, (executive producer) Mark Burnett and I hope this economic downturn can begin a turnaround, and we’ll do our best with ‘The Apprentice’ to see that it starts happening.  I’m proud to be putting people back to work, and to positively change the psychology of America.”

Whether a TV game show on a struggling network can accomplish this, in between sponsor tie-ins and the contestant bickering and melodramas that always seem to develop over the series' run, is anyone's guess.

The traditional "Apprentice," which debuted six years ago but has been off NBC since 2007, has been penciled in for the network's fall schedule with 14 contestants affected by the economic downturn vying for a position under Trump and all the national exposure the series can provide during its run and beyond.

"Celebrity Apprentice," which replaced the original with its introduction in 2008, would then return at midseason. Its latest iteration returned last weekend with a group of competitors that included disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

" 'The Apprentice' is a proven brand, and we believe its return is more relevant than ever since it will provide new hope for many Americans struggling in this difficult job market," Paul Telegdy,executive vice president of alternative programming for NBC and Universal Media Studios, said in a statement. "Donald is going to be even more involved as he offers fantastic opportunities for the American worker, while the search for a quality job will resonate with contemporary viewers."

Prospective contestants -- from new college graduates to those older than 40 hit hard by the economy -- are invited to attend still-to-be-scheduled regional casting calls or by e-mail atcastingnbcapprentice@gmail.com.  Applicants are expected to explain how the recession has affected them and why they should be the next "Apprentice," along with including their name, address and job history.

“Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, millions of Americans have accepted jobs they don’t like and millions of Americans are about to leave school looking for a job," Burnett said in the announcement. "This year’s ‘Apprentice’ will feature a cast selected from these three areas.  And even though only one will win the prize, all other contestants will get Donald Trump’s personal advice to help them find their dream jobs.”

Previous editions of "The Apprentice" have helped boost the profile of several participants, although less for their work in Trump's organization than in other TV work. These include first-cycle winner Bill Rancic, who now co-stars in the cable reality show "Giuliana & Bill" with wife Giuliana Rancic of E! Entertainment Television, and fourth-cycle runner-up Rebecca Jarvis, the daughter of Chicago Tribune columnist Gail Marks Jarvis and, until last fall, a reporter for CNBC.

“‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ continues to be great TV while doing genuine good for charities," Burnett said. "I am glad we are also bringing back the original ‘Apprentice’ and hope we can use America’s most compelling televised business contest to continue to do good.”