Donald Trump demands $18 million per episode before he starts "The Apprentice"

Of course, there's not a financial windfall from reality shows by and large since they have so little rerun value.

An episode of CSI can be Number 1 in the ratings twice and doesn't cost twice a reality show.

But most reality shows aren't going to have a necessary component like Trump to make them work. They could boot Jeff Probst from Survivor and be just fine, for example. The Apprentice needs Trump.

 

Trump: "I want additional creative control, better living situations for the contestants,a personal assistant for himself, and $18 million per episode."

NBC President: "Trump, you're fired!"

 

$18 million an episode! That is insane. Ray Romano only gets $1.8 million and he's been a ratings winner for years. The apprentice probably has less episodes, but even 10 episodes would mean 180 million dollars.

$180 million was probably about what two of the LOTR movies cost to shoot. Hmm. Make ten episodes of the Apprentice or shoot Fellowship of the Rings and the Two Towers.

If Trump actually thought this ploy was going to work then he doesn't know the first thing about television, and I'd seriously suspect his business skills.

 

that he asked this of the same network that let the NFL and NBA slip from its grip is even funnier.

 

I dunno if you can dump a guy like probst and get away with it. They tried that on america's funniest home videos and got burned. And that guy was a total dork. People are loyal to their hosts for some reason. I dunno why. But they are, even if it's to complain about them.

As for Trump, damn! I mean, seriously, how much air time does het get. That would be like 18 million for 5 minutes.

 

id give him 18 mill just to cut off that mop of his.

 

I don't watch reality shows and all those guys seem interchangable to me.

I just can't see people turning away from a show they watch because someone else was explaining the stupid "challenges". From what I've watched of Susvivor (which, I admit is about one episode), the host barely does anything and doesn't really add anything to the show. .

On AFV, the host was a more important component. He introduced every clip and interacted with the audience and then did the voice-overs for the stupid videos. But, I actually recall AFV falling FAR out of the consciouness before Saget even left the show in 1997. I honestlly thought the show had been canceled and was brought back a few years later with Daisy Fuentes and that other guy.

 

That is the "Art of the Deal".

 

HELEN: What kind of problems?

JERRY: Well, George doesn't think $13,000 is enough money.

HELEN: What? He's not even working.

MORTY: George is right. Those people will try to get away with murder. Believe me. They're all crooks.

HELEN: Jerry, I want you to sign that contract.

JERRY: We're going to sign it. We're going to sign it. In fact George is out with the woman from NBC right now.


[George's car]

GEORGE: So, I'm uh, I'm afraid we're going to have to pass.

SUSAN: You're passing?

GEORGE: Well, it's . . . much too low.

SUSAN: Are you and Jerry in complete agreement on this?

GEORGE: Ah, yeah, . . . I believe I can speak for the both of us on this.

SUSAN: Because you know, because this is your first show this is a pretty standard deal.

GEORGE: Standard?

SUSAN: Yeah.

GEORGE: Is Ted Danson's deal standard?

SUSAN: Ted Danson?

GEORGE: You know, the guy from Cheers.

SUSAN: Yeah, I know who he is. (laughs) You're not Ted Danson.

GEORGE: I didn't say I was Ted Danson.

 

RUSSELL: Look Mister Costanza, it's too late now anyway. I already made a deal with another writing team.

GEORGE: (worried) Alright, alright. Look, we're people, you and me,
huh? Businessmen. Colleagues, if I may. Let's not quibble. We'll do it for the thirteen thousand. Thirteen thousand, and I never came up here, we never talked, alright. You take good care. (moving past Russell toward the door) It was nice seeing you again, and nice meeting you. (to Cynthia) Cynthia, right?

George is opening the door.

RUSSELL: Alright, now look. These deals are already made.

George closes the door and turns back to Russell.

GEORGE: Awright, lemme just say this. Ten thousand dollars, alright,
and now I'm going below what you wanted to pay. You have your dinner, have your
veal, or whatever it is. Enjoy...

George opens the door, and is halfway through.

RUSSELL: Mister Costanza.

George re-enters again.

GEORGE: Alright, that's it. Alright, good, eight thousand dollars. (to
Cynthia) Cynthia, again, nice meeting you. Have I commented on the shoes? I love suede, it's so thick and rich. Did you ever, you ever rub it against the
grain? Alright, anyway...

George is halfway through the door again.

CYNTHIA: (bored, frustrated) Russell, can we eat?

RUSSELL: (to George) Alright. Eight thousand.

GEORGE: (pleased) You've made Jerry very happy.

 

I hate that show...I can't imagine...he's just negotiating, knowing he won't get anything like that, but also, knowing, he's going to get at least a million an episode...