Trump to NBC: You can't fire me, I quit

[ZeoBandit]

Trump to NBC: You can't fire me, I quit
POSTED: 8:57 a.m. EDT, May 21, 2007
Story Highlights
• "The Apprentice" left off NBC's fall schedule
• Donald Trump decides to leave the show
• Trump to move on to undisclosed project
• "Apprentice" ratings have declined

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Donald Trump, whose low-rated reality show "The Apprentice" was left off the new prime-time schedule unveiled this week by NBC, says the network can't fire him -- he quits.

The real estate mogul issued a statement Friday saying he has informed the U.S. television network he is "moving on from 'The Apprentice' to a major new TV venture," though he declined to elaborate.

There was no immediate comment from NBC.

But his announcement appeared to end any lingering doubt that "The Apprentice," which turned the self-styled tycoon into a television star and popularized the catch phrase, "You're fired," would be banished from NBC's airwaves next season.

The corporate-themed reality show, which aired in dozens of countries around the world, featured young, aggressive entrepreneurs in a weekly game of elimination as they competed for a real-life job in Trump's business empire.

"The Apprentice" debuted as a hit in 2004, averaging nearly 21 million viewers and ranking as the top-rated new U.S. TV show its first season. But the series dropped steadily in the ratings in successive years, losing nearly two-thirds of its original audience by the time it wrapped up its sixth installment last month.

The show's future was cast into further doubt on Monday when the network announced a 2007-08 programming lineup that made no mention of Trump. But NBC executives refused then to absolutely rule out a reprieve once rival networks ABC, CBS and Fox had laid out their schedules for next season.

The statement from Trump's organization seemed to spell a definitive end to the series.

"It looks like viewers will have to wait to see what Mr. Trump plans for the future," the statement said. "But if Mr. Trump's past TV success is any indication of the future, then one can anticipate that millions of 'Apprentice' fans will be migrating to his new venture."

Trump and NBC still remain in the beauty pageant business together. The two announced in March a renewed deal to keep annual broadcasts of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which Trump co-owns, on the General Electric Co.-controlled network through 2010.

[Leo Van Newhouse]

He should be GM on WWE RAW.

[muffdiver]

I'd like to give him one good hard swift kick in the arse then be on my way...

[Kevy5150]

He would do something like that.

[onefootoutthedoor]

I think it's funny. Last season he had a female quit the show amd he said something to the effect "quitting was a sign of weakness"and "only losers quit".

[Number 47]

A major new television venture...

Trump comes sliding down a poll with a drink in his hand to a waiting bevy of Miss USA hopefuls and announces the new era of television variety programing.

Bad Jokes, beautiful women, rock and roll music and blatant sponsorship plugs.

Reality TV could be his to kill.

[AT]

As I said in the other post about Scott Stapp...

Donald Trump is also a tool.

[muffdiver]

Why does he wear that poodle on his head....I mean obviously he's a smart businessman, he's loaded....but lose the chihuahua on the melon...

[smithjc]

He should be GM on WWE RAW.

Please NO!!!

I'm glad his show got canceled. He's an idiot.