Sunday night free-for-all

Showbiz Guessing Game: What do outrageous hoops star Dennis Rodman, wild card comic Tom Green, ice skating icon Scott Hamilton and Joan Rivers have in common?

JOAN: No apprentice she

 

This most unlikely quartet are among the sparklies chosen by Donald Trump to headline the second season of his Celebrity Apprentice reality series, which debuts this weekend on NBC.

Among the fellow competitors keeping them company are poker champion Annie Duke, controversial comedian Andrew Dice Clay, r&b star Brian McKnight, Playboy playmate Brande Roderick, country music star Clint Black, golf champ Natalie Gulbis, Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker and, in a cunning bit of casting, Joan Rivers’ red carpet partner-in-crime, TV host and producer Melissa Rivers.

On Sunday night’s opener The Donald greets his all-star candidates on an aircraft carrier – and no, I’m not making this up.

MELISSA: Showbiz survivor

 

He then divides his 16 celebrities into male and female teams, then sends them off to bake and sell cupcakes for charity. The women’s team gets a major sales boost when Brande Roderick calls one of her chums – a Playboy bunny – to attract cupcake consumers.

Fans are fascinated to see if Joan and Melissa will get to work together. By now they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and could work together on challenges very nicely.  On the other hand, if they end up on opposing teams, they do know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which could make for an interesting contest.

Says Joan: “I’m know I’m going to win because I combine the sensibility of a woman but the strength of a man. And once a year, no matter what, I have a prostate exam.”

“We’re a very competitive family,” adds daughter Melissa.

How does she feel about competing with her mother? She shrugs.  “Hey, I’ve survived this many years!”

Should be fun.

 

 Celebrity Apprentice airs Sunday at 9 pm on NBC 

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