“Valuable Prize” from Trump
Published in "Российская Газета"
(Russia) on 17 September 2010
by Maxim Makarychev (link to original)
Famous billionaire Donald Trump is changing the format of his TV show, “The Apprentice,” which has been broadcasting every Thursday evening on NBC since 2004. This time the participants are unemployed Americans.
According to experts, unemployment will reach 10 percent by the end of this year. The show offers a possible comeback for Americans between 20 and 35 years of age battered by the recession. 16 candidates — so-called “apprentices” — will be selected for participation in the program.
During several months, Trump will be searching for potential candidates to work at his company. This will also include talking with the “apprentices” and creating for them a variety of challenges. The participants are not required to possess knowledge in management or finance. There are several evaluating criteria: candidates’ personal qualities, their energy, dynamism, courage, “business acumen,” willingness to compete and ability to make tough decisions.
Experts predict a considerable success of the show. Usually, all of Trump’s shows are watched by almost 28 million viewers. This season, according to the experts, ratings will go up significantly due to the new format of “The Apprentice” and a really valuable reward for the winner. The winning contestant will be awarded a position as the executive director of one of the construction corporations and a one-year contract with a salary of $250,000.
By the way, in the early 2000s, “The Apprentice” originated in the same format. However, its contestants were experienced business people, not amateurs. The winner received a chance to “make a mark” in Trump’s empire. After a little while, America lost interest in the program, and then Trump began to invite celebrities to participate in his show. These celebrity contestants received prize money to donate to a charity of their choice.
According to experts, unemployment will reach 10 percent by the end of this year. The show offers a possible comeback for Americans between 20 and 35 years of age battered by the recession. 16 candidates — so-called “apprentices” — will be selected for participation in the program.
During several months, Trump will be searching for potential candidates to work at his company. This will also include talking with the “apprentices” and creating for them a variety of challenges. The participants are not required to possess knowledge in management or finance. There are several evaluating criteria: candidates’ personal qualities, their energy, dynamism, courage, “business acumen,” willingness to compete and ability to make tough decisions.
Experts predict a considerable success of the show. Usually, all of Trump’s shows are watched by almost 28 million viewers. This season, according to the experts, ratings will go up significantly due to the new format of “The Apprentice” and a really valuable reward for the winner. The winning contestant will be awarded a position as the executive director of one of the construction corporations and a one-year contract with a salary of $250,000.
By the way, in the early 2000s, “The Apprentice” originated in the same format. However, its contestants were experienced business people, not amateurs. The winner received a chance to “make a mark” in Trump’s empire. After a little while, America lost interest in the program, and then Trump began to invite celebrities to participate in his show. These celebrity contestants received prize money to donate to a charity of their choice.