Joan Rivers, as we all know, is ubiquitous.  Talk show appearances and the odd red carpet special aside, she's written many books, appeared on stage, and has even designed jewelry for shopping channel QVC.  Her prolific nature seems to have rubbed off of her daughter, Melissa: apart from the aforementioned red carpet specials which she's co-hosted, she's also an accomplished television host, producer and equestrian.  Just the traits—and the clout, let's admit—that's needed on The Celebrity Apprentice, in which both are part of.

When I heard that the two are part of the show, which returns to NBC on March 1, I was a little befuddled.  Already, their inclusion seems to be a perfect set-up: the mother-daughter pair could possibly work together to, at least, earn a degree of success on the show.  Of course, they're just two among the 18 contestants, which include people as diverse as Khloe Kardashian, Dennis Rodman and Brian McKnight.  Nevertheless, the question lies somewhere there: will family ties work on The Celebrity Apprentice?

Perhaps.  I've yet to see the two go against each other.  Their red carpet specials, first airing on E! before moving to the TV Guide Channel, have been a huge success, drawing in audiences thanks to their acerbic wit and undeniable chemistry.  Surely one knows the others' weakness, and provided they get the chance to work together in challenges, surely they'll lead the team they're on to success.  If they are in opposing teams, it's going to be interesting as well: one knows what the other can (and can't) do, and depending on the circumstances, one can do a quick workaround.

I'm not so sure, though, if they'll be able to work harmoniously together, though.  Don't vouch me on this entirely, because we haven't really seen everything from the Rivers', but judging from what they've done, I think they're two different beasts.  Joan is known for her illustrious career in front of the camera, as a comedian and talk show host.  Melissa, despite having appeared in front of the camera as well, has more credentials behind the scenes.  That's two different work attitudes right there—no one style can fit two scenarios, after all.

Nevertheless, the inclusion of the two in The Celebrity Apprentice excites me.  Pair-up possibility or otherwise, it'd be interesting to see how their dynamic would unfold in the cut-throat world of business, which is a totally different beast in itself.  Family ties?  We'll see it often, all right—in the boardroom, when Donald Trump and his kids discuss who'll be fired next.  Seeing the Rivers' work alongside that would be interesting, indeed.



-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of Variety)