JohnJ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
James M Dowd
212-664-5019
Jim.Dowd@nbcuni.com

MARTHA STEWART TO HOST NEW VERSION OF NBC'S "THE APPRENTICE"
CASTING BEGINS IMMEDIATELY IN 27 CITIES NATIONWIDE FOR "THE APPRENTICE" AND "THE APPRENTICE: MARTHA STEWART"

NEW YORK - February 2, 2005 - NBC announced today the network would broadcast an additional version of the hit reality show "The Apprentice" featuring Martha Stewart as host. The new edition will be titled "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart." The announcement was made by Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Universal Television Group. Donald Trump and Mark Burnett will serve as Executive Producers of both series. "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" will retain the general format of the original series including weekly eliminations, however, the style and feel of this new show will be tailored to Stewart's personality and brand identity. The tasks will be centered around Stewart's areas of expertise: media, home renovation, entertaining, design, merchandising, technology and style. Stewart will bring her own sensibilities and creativity to the elimination process.

"NBC is delighted to be working with an iconic, self-made, business woman such as Martha Stewart, a true entrepreneur who transformed a small catering business into a world-renowned empire," said Zucker, President, NBC Universal Television Group. "The series will be infused with Martha's celebrated grit and savvy as she offers others a chance to aspire to turn their dreams into hard-won reality." "I am thrilled to be able to offer my good friend Martha the opportunity to join me in the success of 'The Apprentice,'" said Trump, Executive Producer, "The Apprentice." "As an executive producer, I'll be rooting for amazing ratings but most of all, I hope she has as much fun as I do with this venture."

"Martha Stewart is an American icon and was the world's first self-made female billionaire," said Burnett, creator and Executive Producer, "The Apprentice." "Donald Trump gives thousands of Americans the opportunity to apply to learn from and work for the most dynamic real estate tycoon in the country, while Martha Stewart offers her wonderful creative vision and expertise in the worlds of television, publishing and merchandising. This diversity of opportunity for both viewers and applicants will take our franchise to new heights."

"Martha has a unique ability to spot and nurture talent - as evidenced by the incredible team she built at MSO," said Susan Lyne, President and CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. "We will welcome the winner of "The Apprentice" search to the MSO family in this dynamic period for the company." Casting for both versions of "The Apprentice" begins immediately in 27 cities nationwide (see details below or log on to www.nbcuni.com). Candidates encouraged to apply should be creative, entrepreneurial, versatile, media savvy and articulate. They also should have expertise in technology, design, television, publishing or merchandising and possess good business acumen.


Casting cities and dates below:
New York, Detroit and Houston Feb. 4
Atlanta, Denver, Raleigh and San Jose Feb. 5
Las Vegas, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington D.C. Feb. 11
Dallas and Providence Feb. 12
Louisville and Philadelphia Feb. 18
New Orleans, Phoenix, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Boise and San Diego Feb. 19
Columbus Feb. 25
Orlando, Seattle, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Albuquerque Feb. 26


Click here to download the application.

Transcripts will be available from the conference call, as well as a replay of the call one hour upon completion. Call 866/509-6767 for the replay. "The Apprentice" is produced by Mark Burnett Productions in association with Trump Productions LLC. Mark Burnett, Donald Trump and Jay Bienstock are Executive Producers. Conrad Riggs and Kevin Harris are co-executive producers.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (MSO) (www.marthastewart.com) is a leading provider of original "how-to" information, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and high-quality products. MSO is organized into four business segments: Publishing, Television, Merchandising, and Internet/Direct Commerce. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO.

Contact for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia:
Elizabeth Estroff, 212-827-8281 or eestroff@marthatewart.com; or Susan Magrino of Susan Magrino Agency, 212-957-3005 or susan@smapr.com

Source: http://www.marthastewart.com/static_...WSIIWYJKSS2JO0

fizzviic

From VH1.com/news:


Martha Stewart Gets Trump's Sloppy Seconds

Martha Stewart has gone from being America's favorite domestic diva to America's favorite imprisoned diva, and now looks to become America's favorite reality TV show diva. Only in America.

NBC has confirmed that Stewart will star in a spin-off of The Apprentice, cleverly titled "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart." This proved to be a much better idea than NBC's original concept, "Day Trading with Martha Stewart."

With Stewart busting out of prison next month, NBC announced that casting will begin immediately. Stewart insists that she has no idea who is going to be on the show, who is going to get kicked off the show, and who is going to win the show, so don't go asking her for any tips, okay?

Donald Trump wishes Martha the best on her new project, saying, "I hope she has as much fun as I do with this venture." No word yet on whether or not Trump has recommended a hairstylist for her.

NUFF SAID !

The Old Broad

mshissy

Oh Good Gawd!! What in the world is wrong with these people? Hollywood continues to enable Robert Downey Jr. to work even though he is a drug addict and convicted felon. Now we have Mark Burnett and "The Donald" endorsing Martha Stewart. What's next....The Charley Manson Good Time Hour?

fizzviic

Boy o' Boy...yer reading my mind again, hissfit !!!

I couldn't agree with you more. You keep reading my mind. How long do you think these posts last before the "ladies" swiffer them?

They seem hell bent on censoring any opionion other than there own.

Robyn Villavecchia

mshissy

I don't think that we have offended anyone. Just poking a little fun at the media.

Chiffonade

A woman at work went to the tryout for this show. She is quite an accomplished baker and wondered whether or not she should bring a baked good or written info or what.

She gets to the tryout and here is the only instruction the room receives:

"Take this topic and argue it: 'Will women ever occupy the same positions as men in corporate America.'"

It turned into a catfight and had nothing at all to do with cooking. The show will be a forum for attractive people to battle it out. It sounds like another Mark Burnett soap opera but I was hoping for more with this one.

Remember how terrible The Restaurant turned out to be? Not to mention it was the undoing of Rocco Dispirito's culinary career and his credibility in the culinary field is hovering around Sandra Lee's numbers.