Well, this ought to be interesting.
Celebrity Apprentice, the reality show originally hosted by a certain Donald Trump, has announced a new slate of cast members and contestants for its eighth season, Variety‘s Elizabeth Wagmeister reports. Arnold Schwarzenegger will serve as the show’s new host and, in a piece of news of interest to MMA fans, former UFC contender and current MMA broadcaster Chael Sonnen will compete for the show’s grand prize: a $250,000 check to the charity of the winner’s choice.
Apprentice to also star Vegas regulars Jersey Shores Nicole ‘Snooki’Polizzi Beverley Hills housewife Kyle Richards & UFC’s Chael Sonnen
— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) January 28, 2016
Congrats on getting Apprentice @sonnench! #WarChael!
— Jenny Friedman (@JennyF209) January 28, 2016
According to the Variety article, in this season, “The show challenges celebrities to work together to complete business-oriented tasks, this time with an emphasis on technology and innovation.”
NBC, the network that airs Celebrity Apprentice, severed its relationship with Trump last year after he made controversial comments about illegal immigrants.
There is another contestant on the season that might be of interest to fight aficionados: Laila Ali, a one-time professional women’s boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali.
The 38-year-old Sonnen competed as a middleweight and light heavyweight in the UFC, racking up a record of 29-14-1 before retiring in 2014. Considered a master trash-talker, Sonnen now provides MMA commentary for ESPN and cageside analysis for the World Series of Fighting promotion.
The other show contestants are model Brooke Burke-Charvet, former NFL running backs Eric Dickerson and Ricky Williams, singers Boy George and Carnie Wilson, actor Matt Iseman, television personality Carrie Keagan, actor Carson Kressley, former WNBA center Lisa Leslie, comedian Jon Lovitz, Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil, Jersey Shore cast member Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, actress Kyle Richards and model and singer Porsha Williams.
There also is a new “board room” this year, a panel of celebrities that decide which contestants will stay and leave the show, based on their performances in a given episode. This includes financial tycoon Warren Buffett, model and TV host Tyra Banks, Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer and actress Jessica Alba.
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