‘Celebrity Apprentice 7’ Premiere: Who Was First to Hear, ‘You’re Fired’?
”Cake Boss“ Buddy Valastro was on hand to judge the team’s pies, while Season 1 winner Piers Morgan sat in for the boardroom discussions on the NBC competition
Spoiler Alert: Do not read on if you haven’t watched Sunday’s season premiere of “The Celebrity Apprentice” and don’t want to be spoiled.
Not making a phone call to a television dad and coming up short in a pie contest got “The Cosby Show” star Keshia Knight Pulliam fired on the Season 7 premiere of NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
Business mogul Donald Trump split the 16 Hollywood stars into men (Team Vortex) and women (Team Infinity) for “May the Gods of Good Pies Be With Us!” Pulliam and award-winning journalist Geraldo Rivera were chosen as project managers.
The teams were tasked with creating two celebrity pies – one sweet, one savory – and they had to secure the most donations to be named winner of the season’s first challenge.
And although the celebrities were behaved for the most part, new and old tensions surfaced on both teams. Singer Kevin Jonas took issue with Rivera’s dismissive treatment of comedian Gilbert Gottfried. On the opposing team, “Real Housewives” stars Kenya Moore and Brandi Glanville used a “pie me” contest to let out their frustrations.
“I wish I had 10,000 pies to throw in her face,” Moore said laughing.
At competition’s end, “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro judged the quality of each team’s pies. The women learned Valastro chose their sweet pie, a blueberry pear mix, as the dish winner during the board room meeting. Despite what could have been a hopeful lead, money talks as Rivera’s team raised more than $280,000 during the challenge. Jonas seemed relieved Rivera gave props to Gottfried during the meeting. The comedian hired a fire eater and a Howard Stern look-a-like to attract throngs of customers.
In the boardroom, “Celebrity” Season 1 winner Piers Morgan and Ivanka Trump signed on as advisers. Moore made note that Pulliam didn’t call comedian/actor Bill Cosby to send a donation — this season was filmed before Cosby became embroiled in an alleged sexual assualt scandal. Pulliam couldn’t hold back tears as she, “Kate Plus 8” star Kate Gosselin and snowboarder Jamie Anderson were up for elimination.
Trump was surprised a fierce competitor and Olympic winner like Anderson had trouble picking a teammate to send home. Gosselin wasted no time and deflected the team’s downfall to Pulliam.
Pleas and a good work ethic weren’t enough to save Pulliam who was fired quickly by Trump. Pulliam may not be around for the rest of the season, but she didn’t go home empty-handed. Trump awarded her charity Kamp Kizzy, which focuses on youth empowerment and self-esteem, $25,000.
Omarosa vs. Piers Morgan The woman America loved to hate, “Apprentice” alum Omarosa Manigualt, went toe-to-toe with journalist/host Piers Morgan on the spin-off's first season. On one episode, Omarosa welcomes Morgan to the “war room” by spilling her wine on his head. But Morgan came out on top, winning the season.
Douglas Gorenstein/NBC
The late Joan Rivers vs. Annie Duke and Brande Roderick Don’t mess with the Mother Hen. Ever. Melissa Rivers and her mother, Joan, were both contestants on Season 2. But in “Right Guard, Right Way Out,” Donald Trump fired Melissa over poker player Annie Duke and Playboy playmate Brande Roderick (“Baywatch"). Joan wasted no time slinging insults at the pair after the board meeting. “You are a piece of shit,” Joan says to Duke with a stern finger before calling Roderick a “stupid blonde” all in the same breath.
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Dennis Rodman vs. Clint Black NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman went from “0 to 100” quickly during Season 2. Rodman had enough of Clint Black after the country singer-songwriter won a coin toss for team KOTU to take the second presentation slot. Rodman curses at Black and rips the microphone from him, slamming it on the floor. In the end, Rodman’s erratic behavior, drinking and sudden absences led to his firing.
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Meat Loaf vs. Gary Busey Actor Gary Busey was known for his antics during Season 4, and it infuriated the “I Would Do Anything for Love” singer. At one point, Meat Loaf believes the “Lethal Weapon” actor stole his art supplies. Cue tirade. “You do not want to fuck with me,” Meatloaf yells. And Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath keeps Meat Loaf from lunging at the actor.
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NeNe Leakes vs. Star Jones This verbal showdown happened between "Real Housewives" star Nene Leakes and former "The View" co-host Star Jones on Season 4. After Jones suggested Leakes as project manager for a task, the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star called out the shadiness. “Who the fuck died and made you in charge of project managers?” Leakes asked. “Who are you? Who are you? I will take you down.”
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Arsenio Hall vs. Aubrey O' Day Arsenio Hall made former Danity Kane member Aubrey O’ Day cry on Season 5 when the talk show host couldn’t hold back his agitation with the singer's ego. “She won’t remember, because if it’s not her idea, she won’t remember it. I’m not saying anything that’s not true,” Hall asserted.
O’ Day tried to refute Hall’s claim, even stating she had lost respect for him. “Because I have to kiss your ass for you to admire me,” Hall said, much to the shock of Trump.
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Gary Busey vs. Gary Busey
The Oscar-nominated actor was never short on words or phrases during his stint on Season 4 and the “All Star” edition. He even had his own definition of “fun”: finally understanding nothing. On one episode, Busey takes the time to explain who he really is. “I’m an angel in an Earth suit,” he said while pointing to himself. No argument here.
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Have a look at some outrageous tirades and laughable moments from Donald Trump’s NBC competition series
Omarosa vs. Piers Morgan The woman America loved to hate, “Apprentice” alum Omarosa Manigualt, went toe-to-toe with journalist/host Piers Morgan on the spin-off's first season. On one episode, Omarosa welcomes Morgan to the “war room” by spilling her wine on his head. But Morgan came out on top, winning the season.