NBC'S "THE APPRENTICE" DEBUTS ON THURSDAY, SEPT. 22, 9-10 P.M. ET
DONALD TRUMP GIVES CANDIDATES A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY AND INCORPORATES NEW TWISTS ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF NBC'S "THE APPRENTICE" (SEPTEMBER 22, 9-10 P.M. ET/PT)
Candidates Lose Sweat in Creating Fitness Class for Bally Total Fitness
NEW YORK -- September 15, 2005 -- For the first time in NBC's "Apprentice" history, Donald Trump greets his 18 young entrepreneurs outside of Manhattan and tees up a big twist in the first 10 minutes that will give the candidates a serious run for their money (Sept. 22, 9-10 p.m. ET/PT). After dividing the teams, Trump announces a second twist -- the winning project managers will only be exempt the following week if their team members grant them that privilege.
For the first task, Trump instructs the candidates to jump into the $13 billion fitness industry and create a new fitness plus class for Bally Total Fitness. Teams choose between two gyms in demographically diverse areas, where they create and market their class. The winning team is treated to a lavish lunch with Trump at The Friar's Club and the losing team is sent to the boardroom where the first candidate is "fired."
Trump's loyal lieutenants George Ross and Carolyn Kepcher return for a fourth season and the original "Apprentice," Bill Rancic, returns for several episodes filling in for Ross while he is away on business.
As previously announced, a Rhodes Scholar, NFL player and an inventor are among Trump's "hand-picked" cast of young entrepreneurs on the fourth season of NBC's "The Apprentice." "For the first time, I hand-picked an 'Apprentice' cast and I'm thrilled with the results," said Trump, executive producer. "This is the most talented group we've ever assembled. They have it all: beauty, brains, and big bucks." Ranging in age from 22-41, these candidates boast degrees from Oxford, Wharton, MIT, and Georgetown and several of the candidates are already millionaires.
"We at Bally make it a priority to customize our services and stay on top of the ever-changing needs of our customers," said Jim McDonald, chief marketing officer for Bally Total Fitness. "And during their first task, the teams from 'The Apprentice' proved they understand the importance of this as well. Their ideas for a new group exercise class were smart, innovative and right on target with what today's consumers want. The result of their work will bring an exciting new offering to Bally clubs nationwide, which we feel will be a big hit with our members."
About Bally Total Fitness
Bally Total Fitness is the largest and only nationwide commercial operator of fitness centers, with approximately four million members and 440 facilities located in 29 states, Mexico, Canada, Korea, China and the Caribbean under the Bally Total Fitness, Crunch Fitness(SM), Gorilla Sports(SM), Pinnacle Fitness, Bally Sports Clubs and Sports Clubs of Canada brands. With an estimated 150 million annual visits to its clubs, Bally offers a unique platform for distribution of a wide range of products and services targeted to active, fitness-conscious adult consumers. For more information about Bally Total Fitness, please visit www.ballyfitness.com.
"The Apprentice" is produced by Mark Burnett Productions. Mark Burnett, Jay Bienstock and Donald J. Trump are executive producers. Conrad Riggs and Kevin Harris are co-executive producers.
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