The highly anticipated kick-off of the new season of Celebrity Apprentice aired last night, and it was surprisingly tame. Not only is the cast full of some very insane colorful people (LaToya Jackson, David Cassidy, Nene Leakes, Gary Busey, Richard Hatch, Dionne Warwick, Jose Canseco, Niki Taylor, Lisa Rinna, Mark McGrath, Hope Dworaczyk, Marlee Matlin and John Rich) but we’ve been hearing reports for weeks about the enmity between some of the new crop, especially when it comes to Star Jones and Nene Leakes.

However, that was only the first episode, so it was probably more like a warm-up as everyone got acquainted with each other. As per the usual in Celebrity Apprentice, the men and the women were split into teams according to sex.

The men called their team Backbone and the women named their ASAPP, which stands for Artists Singers Authors and Professionals with a Purpose. The first task was to run a pizza shop and, of course, raise the most money by peddling pies for thousands of dollars.
The women, surprisingly, got along (for the most part), and all signs of the rifts that will come weren’t that evident. But the men had some tension. Richard Hatch (from Survivor), who was the men’s project manager, lacked people skills. He was rude, snippy, dismissive and sorta kinda pushed former teen heartthrob David Cassidy, who balked at one of his ideas (instead of being like a normal human being and simply verbalizing that he didn’t agree).

Long story short, the men lost after having raised $54,000. The women crushed them by raising double, $115,000. Star Jones was the women’s project manager, so the money went to her charity, The American Red Cross.

The final boardroom deliberation wasn’t as hilarious as it could have been. Richard Hatch dragged Jose Canseco and David Cassidy in with him (Canseco simply because he didn’t like him and Cassidy because he was weak) and the end result was that Cassidy was fired, but not before Hatch referred to him as “little,” “delicate” and “a whiner” several times (ouch). Cassidy was fired more so because he couldn’t hold his own in the final deliberation. He was overtalked and outargued, and in Trump’s office, gift of gab is everything.

We’ll have to wait for the drama to heat up, but from what we’ve seen from the promos, sit tight because the storm is brewing.

Did you watch last night’s episode? What did you think?

It’s no secret that Nene Leakes probably clashes with everyone on this season’s Celebrity Apprentice, but Star Jones in particular is her primary foe. Let’s watch a piece of this in action:

This whole season is going to be a treat for reality TV viewers since there are so many train wrecks involved. Nene’s issues with the other Black women on the show have been highly publicized, but I wonder how she gets along with fellow cast crazies like Gary Busey.  Most of all, I wonder how she’ll take being fired. You know it’s probably going to be closer toward the end with that mouth—they have to keep her around for drama!

Celebrity Apprentice premieres Sunday night at 9/8c.

After NeNe Leakes called into The Rickey Smiley Show, the radio personality launched a “Free Sweetie” campaign.

The campaign pokes fun at Sweetie’s controversial relationship with her boss, Kim Zolciak.

While some people are getting a kick out of the joke, Sweetie herself is not laughing.

Kim’s assistant told Life & Style magazine:

“They’re doing it for Black History Month, and it offends me. They have pastors calling into the radio station and praying for me. They’ve taken it too far. NeNe’s jealous that she’s not as close to Kim as I am. I’ve known Kim for 11 years, since I was a kid. Kim’s a great friend to me. NeNe’s traumatizing my life. She’s bringing hell to it.”

Kim also chimed in:

“I never want to speak to NeNe again. My assistant Sweetie is so upset about the whole thing, she’s beside herself. NeNe has problems.”

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Speaking with Essence TV, NeNe Leakes talked about her cast mates on both The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Celebrity Apprentice.

But first, NeNe touched what’s going on between her and her husband, Greg Leakes.

On the status of her marriage:

“I can’t tell you that I’m a 100% through with Greg. Greg does not want a divorce. He wants to work out whatever issues that he has. He just wants to try. I can’t say that I 100% want to try.”

As for on again, off again friend Kim Zolciak:

“There’s no way in hell that I’m going to have a friendship with Kim. That won’t ever happen. I’m actually rooting for her third child by the third man. I’m hoping that she will get it right.”

On Phaedra Parks:

“I still haven’t gotten to know Phaedra and I don’t need to. I’m really good right here.”

On what interactions we can expect to see between her and Star Jones on Celebrity Apprentice:

“She and I are cool coming out the door, but then we get into a place where Star’s not so cool. I’m not really feeling Star. Like I think Star is everything people have said about her. Seriously, I’m for real. “

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Ironically, several contestants on the forthcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice owe the alphabet boys big time in back taxes. The Detroit News compiled a list detailing the tax woes of Apprentice hopefuls and approximately what they owe.

Among them are Lil Jon, Star Jones, LaToya Jackson, Gary Busey, Dionne Warwick and Jose Canseco are also mentioned for owing back taxes in varying amounts. As far as how much each owes, let’s just say the highest was in the millions and the lowest was just under $30,000.

How someone who makes as much money as these people once did falls that behind in taxes is baffling (some of what these people owe is what a lot of people make in a year, WTH) . But hopefully that Apprentice money (not the winnings, but the scale for doing the show) will help them get out of that debt. And hopefully Donald Trump can introduce them to some of his money people so they can handle their business.

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It looks like the fourth season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta will end the way the second season did: Marred in mystery over who will and who won’t return.

Indeed, NeNe Leakes says she’s not really sure if she’ll be coming back for a fourth season of the show – a bit of déjà vu from last year.

In an interview with Zap2It, on whether or not she’ll return to the show again NeNe says, “I’m just not really interested right now.”

Soon we’ll all see NeNe on season four of The Celebrity Apprentice so perhaps that has something to do with it.

If she doesn’t return to the show that made her famous, NeNe still seems to have plans to keep her life active.

She told Zap2It that she’s working on a shoe line, a handbag line, her local Atlanta talk segment and has a desire to start producing radio and TV shows.

When asked on Twitter if she was really leaving, NeNe replied: “No more time 4 DRAMA.”

If I were her I’d stuck around for at least another year. She may be the most popular of the Atlanta housewives, but those of us who saw the most recent episode realize that may not be for the best reasons anymore. It’s better to leave on a good note.

Bloop!

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When NeNe Leakes suggested both on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and in recent press that she was ending her marriage with Gregg Leaks, many assumed she meant what she said. You know, with her always “keeping it real” and all.

NeNe did say that Gregg was trying to keep the marriage alive and in a new interview with The Root he said as much.

On keeping the spark in their relationship, Mr. Leakes said:

“Love is really not love until it’s faced with controversy and then the real love will display itself. As you go through life and challenges…and people are aware that my wife and I are going through a bit of a storm, but that’s okay.

I love my wife very much and my wife loves me very much and we’re gonna fight to retain what we have. We’re not quitters and we’re not going to give up easily…”

On whether or not he and NeNe still sleep in the same bed:

“Now you’re going personal. Now you know you wouldn’t ask your uncle where he sleeps.”

As far as NeNe’s relationship with Cynthia Bailey’s husband on the show, Gregg dismissed it as “editing.”

You can listen to Gregg’s interview, which includes his charity work, here:

In related NeNe news, it seems she’s over Kim Zolciak…again.

Uh huh. Anyway on Kim she said:

“I’m done with Kim. I never have to see her again. It really doesn’t matter, I’m totally done with Kim, like done.”

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Nene Leakes can be obnoxious at times but it’s sad to watch her deal with turmoil in her marriage. We don’t know what really happens behind the scenes, but Nene did say that a lot of their issues stem from prior problems that should have been addressed but never were because of lack of communication. She posted a blog on Bravo’s website about some of the things that hurt her the most with regards to the drama in last night’s episode:

Sheree and Lawrence talking about me and Gregg … it just goes to show you that there are really people in the world that want to see you fail. That whole scene with them was just phoney to me! I didn’t buy it!

Gregg and I have held it together for years, but my breaking point has come. I’m one hell of a woman, and I am nobody’s fool. When the person you love and trust betrays you, it has got to be one of the worst feelings. Having that moment with Gregg was so much bigger than you saw. I was really hurting! I felt Gregg was an emotionless wall that was cold with no remorse. The pain in my stomach was unreal, and my heart was heavy! I had been accused of cheating and doing Gregg wrong in the press and on blogs everywhere. I wanted to spit it all out and say some horrible things, but I wanted to handle this situation like a lady as best I could. I was hearing things like Gregg was this good guy that had done all this great stuff for me. Yes, Gregg is a good guy, but that doesn’t mean Gregg is a good husband. All I can say is, I’m tired! Only I know what I’ve been through! My happiness and independence means everything to me, and I want to follow my heart, but I’m scared! I’m taking baby steps, but I hope I’ve been brave enough for all the women that couldn’t! I hope I was able to show my children what a strong woman looks like and stands for! I will only accept loyalty and trust! My happiness is everything to me!

Keep me in your prayers, and thank you for all the love and support during this really trying time for me!

Love,

NeNe

No jokes over here. I wish them the best, as long as it’s not just for shock value to satisfy producers. I guess we’ll have to watch and see how this unfolds.

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None of us are surprised. In fact, I mentioned in my last post about the new cast of Celebrity Apprentice that there was probably going to be enmity between NeNe Leakes, Star Jones and LaToya Jackson. I’d like to brush my shoulders off and take credit for my psychic abilities but such is not the case. We knew this would happen.

According to Perez Hilton, the source of the drama is Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes. The upcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice just began filming in New York City but Miss Hotlanta has been making more enemies than allies. Again, among the people she’s already pissed off are Star Jones and LaToya Jackson. But sources say the real dissension is between Leakes and Jones who have been butting heads from the beginning.

However, sources also state that because NeNe is all about promoting herself, she may end up forming an alliance with Star Jones so that she can stay on the show longer (but we’ll just have to watch and see) because Jones is allegedly the one to beat this season. But that still leaves the friction with LaToya Jackson. I smell a Jones/Leakes tag team on Jackson coming on.

Looks like NeNe has been taking advice from Omarosa’s school of TV bishyness.

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NeNe Leakes and Lil’ Jon have been added to the new cast of Celebrity Apprentice. If this made you perk up then it gets better. The two will be joining Robin Leach, Nikki Taylor, Jose Canseco, Dionne Warwick, Star Jones, LaToya Jackson and more for the 2011 season of Donald Trump’s popular show.

Basically, the new cast is not only the perfect model for what affirmative action in the celeb-reality TV world could look like, but it’s also a potential ratings grabber. Lil’ Jon is a character but I get the feeling that he’s going to be mellow in this situation. I think he’ll play well and be aggressive but he won’t be a pitbull meaning, if he clashes with other contestants he’ll know how to handle himself with finesse as opposed to screaming irrationally.

However, NeNe Leakes, LaToya Jackson and Star Jones at one board room session? That just sounds like a new level of crazy never before seen on the show. Maybe crazy is too weak of a word. How about explosive?  It’s either going to be that those three like each other or hate each other. I hope it’s the latter. Can you imagine Star Jones and NeNe Leakes banding against LaToya Jackson in a board room meeting. Yes! I’m getting ahead of myself but you get the idea.

The show, which will mark season four, began taping on October 14. Usually the celebrities compete to raise money for their favorite charities but this time they will be vying for a $250,000 contract to run one of Donald Trump’s companies.

What do you think? Is this going to be the best season that we’ve seen thus far?

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