Well, that didn't take long. Three days into the new year and I already have a strong candidate for my 2008 worst-of-the-year list: Celebrity Apprentice, which we have to hope is the last gasp for this out-of-gas reality franchise.Enlisting C-listers (which in most cases is a generous label) is the final desperate refuge for most shows in this oversaturated genre, but even by that standard, Celebrity Apprentice is pathetic. As is its attempt to turn the overexposed Omarosa into this season's ice-queen bitch villainess and the instantly tiresome Piers Morgan (the cut-rate Simon Cowell wannabe from summer time-waster America's Got Talent) into her "arrogant English bastard" nemesis (that phrase coined in a teaser by Vincent Pastore, who should have taken his early rubbing-out on The Sopranos as a sign to fade away gracefully).At least Rob and Amber were nowhere to be seen. That's the best thing I can say about this new cycle of Trump-fueled pomposity, which appears to have permanently...
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Jeers to The Celebrity Apprentice for engaging in huge hyperbole (even by Trump standards). The premiere touted the contestants as "14 of the world's most successful celebrities." Really? Stephen Baldwin? He's not even one of the most successful Baldwin brothers! Marilu Henner? She's doing better than ex-Taxi costar Jeff Conaway (who's now in VH1's Celebrity Rehab), but that's not saying much. And Omarosa? Competitor Vincent Pastore put it best: "Ponderosa? Nobody knows who she is. Fuhgeddabout her." This show's casting director should be fired!Now see what Matt Roush has to say about Celebrity Apprentice!• Read and react to Bruce's opinions on the "new" Law & Order, The Wire and more!• Share your own raves and rants about other shows on the Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board.• We may feature your Cheer or Jeer on TVGuide.com or in TV Guide magazine!
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Sopranos alum Vincent Pastore has withdrawn from Dancing with the Stars after one week of training, ABC announced on Wednesday. "When I initially committed to joining Dancing with the Stars, I didn't realize just how physically demanding it would be for me," Pastore, 60, says in a statement. "Unable to put forth my best effort, I felt it appropriate to step aside and give someone else the opportunity. I wish my partner, Edyta, and the other dancers the best of luck."Executive producer Conrad Green responds, "We're sad that Vincent felt he was unable to continue in the competition, as he would have been great on the show — but we appreciate him standing aside now rather than having to withdraw later."An ABC spokesperson tells TVGuide.com that a decision regarding Pastore's replacement could come by week's end.
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Who'll be hoofing it this time in the name of winning that garish trophy? Onetime Dancing with the Stars competitor Jerry Springer unveiled the new season's contenders on Wednesday's Good Morning America, and they are:• Laila Ali, the daughter of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali• Country music star Billy Ray Cyrus • Paul McCartney's soon-to-be ex, Heather Mills • Former NBA star Clyde Drexler • 'N Sync alum Joey Fatone • Miss USA-turned-GSN hostess Shandi Finnessey • Entertainment reporter Leeza Gibbons • Former supermodel Paulina Porizkova • 90120's Ian Ziering• Sopranos alum/Sirius Satellite Radio host Vincent Pastore • Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno Dancing with the Stars returns Mar. 19, on ABC.
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