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Arnold Schwarzenegger, the "Terminator" movie star who served
two terms as California governor, promises a more humorous touch
on "The New Celebrity Apprentice," starting on Jan. 2 on NBC
with a new round of stars taking on business-related challenges.
Schwarzenegger, 69, said he asked for the reality show to move
from New York to California and to reflect his personality.
"Even though it looked very dramatic and terrific when you saw
the boardroom in New York, it was kind of dark. I wanted to see
everything more bright. I’m a very upbeat person and I have a
good sense of humor," Schwarzenegger told reporters ahead of the
premiere.
"I want to play up my personality. Trump did a great job playing
up his personality," he said.
Trump's 11-year stint on "The Apprentice" and sister show
"Celebrity Apprentice" catapulted him from New York businessman
to a household name. More than 20 million Americans were regular
watchers in the show's early years, falling to around six
million in 2015.
News that Trump will retain an executive producer credit on the
show, which usually involves a payment, caused a media furor
earlier in December about potential conflicts of interest.
Schwarzenegger has said he doesn't expect Trump to take an
active role in the show and has defended the arrangement as
similar to his own transition from movie star to politician in
2003.
"I am the new host. I hope I can match up with what he has done
and continue on with a great, successful show ... I want to have
my ratings a little higher than his were," he quipped.
The new show has some serious star power with its advisers, who
include billionaire investor Warren Buffett, as well as ex-
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and former supermodel Tyra Banks.
The 16 contestants include singer Boy George, Motley Crue lead
singer Vince Neil, boxer Laila Ali, and former "Jersey Shore"
star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi.
Trump used the catchphrase "You're fired!," but Schwarzenegger
says viewers will have to wait and see what tagline he has
chosen.
"You're terminated? Hasta la vista baby? Consider this a
divorce? There's many, many lines we can grab. That's the great
thing when you have had a long movie career," he said.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine, editing by Jill Serjeant and Chizu
Nomiyama)
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