In a surprise move, sources are telling TVGuide that NBC will renew The Apprentice for at least one more season.  Supposedly, NBC will make this announcement at the Television Critics Association press tour on July 16.  Over the past two weeks, the word on the street had hinted that this might be the case and that The Apprentice may return despite NBC leaving it off its schedule.  In fact, Trump had stated in late May that he was moving on from The Apprentice to a different reality TV venture.  Now, it looks like The Donald has changed his tune. 

Or, he could have just been calling NBC's bluff.  From the way NBC has handled the whole Apprentice saga (never fully canceling the show, leaving the door open) it seems fairly clear that the network wanted the show around just in case it was needed.  The Apprentice would be a nice franchise to use as a stopgap in case one of your other series under performs.  If this is the case, it is also understandable that Trump, a man of integrity, didn't want his show treated in such a way. 

One possibly interesting aspect of The Apprentice and NBC's relationship is the possibility that Trump himself may finance part of show.  Wouldn't that make sense?  NBC can't make a whole lot of money on The Apprentice, given its low ratings and non-existent ancillary benefits.  However, if Trump foots some of the show's bill, he stands to gain financially from it, simply as a result of the exposure he receives.  The Apprentice is, in lots of ways, an hour long commercial for the Trump brand.  Only good things can happen for Trump Corp. as a result of The Apprentice remaining on television.

It's unclear when The Apprentice will return.  Most likely, it will be in the spring of 2008.  If absolutely necessary, they could produce a season of The Apprentice in time for the fall, but it'd be close.  One thing is for sure: whether you like it or not, soon we'll all be getting some more Donald in our lives.

-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: TVGuide
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