Clay Aiken debuts on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’
Clay Aiken is all business on "Celebrity Apprentice"
Clay Aiken made his debut appearance last night on the latest crazy edition of “Celebrity Apprentice.”
Rumors are that Aiken does quite well on the show, taped last fall. Working under project manager Paul Teutel Sr. selling celebrity sandwiches in Manhattan for the first challenge, he showed enough chutzpah to keep the rough-and-tumble “American Chopper” bike maker at bay. Aiken took money at the register and was quite savvy at upselling customers for more cash. In the end, it didn’t matter. Teutel had one big $300,000 donor in his back pocket that made the entire competition superfluous and the men safe for the week. In the boardroom, Teutel did manage to raise George Takei’s hackles by calling him “meek,” though it’s hard to say if Teutel was funneling a gay stereotype, an Asian stereotype or both.
I anticipate other celebrities will under-estimate Aiken’s smarts and drive early on but he’ll show moxie in the boardroom and fight when he needs to fight to stay in the competition.
So far, this is quite an entertaining cast. You’ve got smart players who clearly are going to last awhile such as Dee Snider, Penn Jillette, Debbie Gibson and Patricia Velasquez. For pure reality show fireworks, you have a few temperamental types such as Victoria Gotti, Lisa Lampanelli, Lou Ferrigno and Teresa Giudice. You have nobodies with inflated egos like Aubrey O’Who? The first one out was no surprise: the truly meek model Cheryl Tiegs, who didn’t have the stomach for this type of competition and bowed out quietly.
In other “Idol”-ish news;
- Jennifer Hudson took home two NAACP Image Awards.
- “Glee” is covering Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” tomorrow night. That single, by the way, is climbing up the top 40 charts quickly and is now at No. 6, according to Mediabase 24/7. It has a reasonable shot at No. 1 right now, given the momentum. (It’s also No. 2 on the Hot AC charts, behind only Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain.”)
- On the country charts, three “Idols” are charting: Scotty McCreery’s “Trouble With Girls” is still climbing, now at No. 18 after 22 weeks. Lauren Alaina’s “Georgia Peaches” is at No. 32 after 16 weeks and is also gaining airplay. Casey James’ “Let’s Don’t Call It a Night” is at No. 26 after 24 weeks and is moving upwards.
- On the urban chart, Jennifer Hudson has entered the top 30 with “Think Like a Man.”
- Nigel Lythgoe nixed Simon Cowell’s suggestion to have the winners of “The Voice,” “American Idol” and “X Factor” face off. Problem: which network would air that anyway?
http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=28388&message=1
Nigel’s response on Twitter:
@simoncowell suggests the IDOL winner should take on the voice and x-factor winners. The problem is the Idol winner will be a star by then
- “The Voice” is moving to the fall later this year, with all four judges aboard, the Wrap reports.
USA Today says NBC may run two cycles a year. No! Too many of these shows already! Stop it! This just smells of NBC desperation.
- I interviewed season one’s Tamyra Gray in person Thursday night. I’ll post something soon to tell you why.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
67 comments Add your comment
Sam-A
February 20th, 2012
10:23 am
I wasn’t quite so enamored with “Decendants”, but that was my fave scene as well, George blowing up at his comatose wife. My fave thing about the whole movie was the glorious scenery, and his gorgeous house.
Deirdre
February 20th, 2012
10:24 am
Oh yay! A Clay thread!
I may not watch Apprentice just because I never do, but Clay’s inclusion this year has sparked my interest. He’s smart and motivated and I think he’ll do quiet well. As for under-estimating him….not surprised. People who don’t come from the south tend to think a southern accent equates with being stupid. They are usually in for a rude awakening.
Deirdre
February 20th, 2012
10:25 am
Knowing Clay, I doubt he’ll be “quiet”…obviously meant “quite”.
Mercedes S.
February 20th, 2012
10:32 am
Good for Clay.
back to “Descendants” – quilt in last scene is same quilt dying wife had on hospital bed
Fave scenes: Oldest daughter in pool, diving underwater after being told of mom’s condition
And how about smarmy real estate agent getting verbally punched out by Clooney?
And his wife showing up at the hospital?
Or Beau Bridges figuring out he won’t be rich after all?
And I love every scene with Sid!
Deirdre
February 20th, 2012
10:42 am
Bridges’ reaction was fantastic…..just watching it dawn on him.
Like I said…everyone in the movie felt real, their reactions felt real. That’s why I liked it.
Sam-A
February 20th, 2012
10:43 am
Looks like Nick Cannon back in the hospital. That’s really pitiful – he’s very young and has two babies. A lot more serious health issues than earlier reported. I heard over weekend the found blood clots in his lungs and he’s been told to stay flat on his back for awhile. Hope Diva Mariah doesn’t dump him.
Clay Aiken debuts on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ | ATLANTAboy.com | Gay Atlanta Celebrity, Film, Movie & TV News
February 20th, 2012
10:45 am
[...] more Clay Aiken debuts on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ at Radio & TV Talk… /* * * CONFIGURATION VARIABLES: EDIT BEFORE PASTING INTO YOUR [...]
General Burkhalter
February 20th, 2012
10:51 am
Listen to the Rob & Dave Show – weekday mornings on WGST!
RxDawg
February 20th, 2012
11:17 am
Umm..has Clay had massive plastic surgery altercations? Or is that just a weird picture.
Deirdre
February 20th, 2012
11:19 am
Plastic surgery altercations? Did he have fights with his doctor???? Sorry Rx, not making fun of you but that’s a pretty funny typo!
Pitchy
February 20th, 2012
11:23 am
I logged in last night hoping to see you guys talking, but I was on the playground by me self.
I turned in a good 20 mins late and didn’t see Teresa anywhere. I so want to see this airhead intereact in the business world so I can stop calling her an airhead (or continue, we shall see). Glad Cheryl left because she didn’t have the “constitution” for a cutthroat show like this. Clay is going to win this competition.
Woodpappy
February 20th, 2012
11:23 am
I watched some of the apprentice last night. Thought it was entertaining.
Clay Aiken debuts on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Top News One
February 20th, 2012
11:25 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Pitchy
February 20th, 2012
11:28 am
Don’t know about you guys, but it’s nice the same group also watches Apprentice….
Purple Drank
February 20th, 2012
11:30 am
He\’s a handsome young man. I bet he is a hit with the ladies.
WThe???
February 20th, 2012
11:36 am
He looks STRANGE. Good god what has he done to his face! He’s plastic.
Pitchy
February 20th, 2012
11:38 am
He does look strange, plasticy and bloated. Perhaps him and Barry Manilow used the same doctor.
Name changed to protect the hungry
February 20th, 2012
11:38 am
7
Macys
February 20th, 2012
11:40 am
Macys phoned The Don…they said they need their plastic mannequin back (aka Clay Aiken). What has he done to his face. Good grief!
RxDawg
February 20th, 2012
11:42 am
HAHA, yeh I meant alterations. I blame Mondays.
clifton
February 20th, 2012
11:45 am
In other interesting news: If you call RIGHT now, Hoveround will also give you a free cup and magazine holder with purchase.
Boy Howdy
February 20th, 2012
11:50 am
Enter your comments here
Mercedes S.
February 20th, 2012
11:52 am
Maybe Clay has just … aged
Deirdre
February 20th, 2012
11:54 am
I think all the Apprentice cast pictures look like that. Kinda over produced. Plus Clay is no longer a skinny kid.
Deirdre
February 20th, 2012
11:58 am
All the cast pictures look pretty bad:
http://www.tv.com/shows/the-apprentice/photos/all/2
Pookie Parlor
February 20th, 2012
11:58 am
Apprentice is fanfabulous. But I prefer the original version to the Celebrity one. I guess Donald Trump’s empire has stalled since he hasn’t needed to hire a protege the past few years.
Pitchy
February 20th, 2012
12:01 pm
No way, Mercedes S…no way!
Pitchy
February 20th, 2012
12:01 pm
If that’s the case, Mercedes S…we have or own real live Benjamin Button before us (just reversed).
Mercedes S.
February 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
Pitchy, hahaha
JTesla
February 20th, 2012
12:22 pm
Take away the fake tan, bad makeup, and a few extra poounds he would look like an older version of the Clay from Idol.
Pitchy
February 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
At times Clay has reminded me of Chucky (not sure why).
Harriett
February 20th, 2012
12:45 pm
No, no snow, D. We hardly ever have any snow her in Columbia. Greenville has plenty, since they are closer to the mts.
I think the extra weight thing makes his face look tighter. That may be it, rather than plastic surgery. I do not think it becomes him, however.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
1:20 pm
Did anyone expect him to look like his AI picture from 10 years ago when he only weighed 145 lbs? Gosh, don’t we all look different after 10 years–especially from young 20’s to 30’s. I think the TV make-up people get a little heavy handed sometimes. It’s also a normal thing to fill out over the years. Some people are up and down in weight all the time. Clay looked a little heavier a few years ago than he does now. I wonder why people pick on Clay’s looks and not some of the others. There are some others who aren’t perfect either.
MollieLu
February 20th, 2012
1:35 pm
This only surgery that Clay has had was for TMJ. They had to actually break his jaw and reset it. I think that may have changed his jawline some, but No he’s not had anything done cosmetically. I think he looks good. More a man than a boy now.
Shana
February 20th, 2012
1:36 pm
Clay looks just fine. Men tend to thicken as they age. Ten years from 23 to 33 is a significant jump from boy to man.
Shana
February 20th, 2012
1:37 pm
Haha, we’re all saying the same thing now. Oh well, that’s what happens with the truth.
RxDawg
February 20th, 2012
1:38 pm
Rick, get it over it. This is an open blog where we openly discuss junk. It’s not like were taking Clay through the ringer here. Yeh people’s looks change over the years, but not that much. If I saw that guy on the street I wouldn’t think twice about it being the Clay Aiken I remember. If that’s natural aging then I’ll admit your not an over the top PC cop.
Pitchy
February 20th, 2012
1:56 pm
@Harriett – I look the same way I did 10 years ago. But you have a point there. I’m not part of the norm (lol).
Another good point, Shana (albeit a funny one).
Sam-A
February 20th, 2012
2:42 pm
Deirdre: any more shocks on “Walking Dead” last night? Don’t be specific – I’ve got 4 more days until I watch it. Still shocked over what Rick did (and stupified by what his wife did!) last week.
Sam-A
February 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
Mercedes: hope you can open this link. You won’t believe what the “Downton Abbey” stars look like in real life!
http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/09/10363044-downton-abbeys-obrien-is-a-hottie
Deirdre
February 20th, 2012
3:13 pm
Walking Dead is excellent again, Sam but not from the shocking standpoint. It told a really good story last night.
Harriett
February 20th, 2012
3:33 pm
D, did you ever watch The River? I asked awhile back but can’t remember if you answered. I have watched it so far, but it is waaaay far-fetched thus far–to the point I don’t know if I am going to continue to watch. It is not “Lost” far-fetched. That was a good way, but this is not good far-fetched to me. I hate to invest in another show that it not going to make it, as well.
I have obviously missed some good shows by not catching them the first year. Walking Dead and now Downton Abbey.
Sam-A
February 20th, 2012
3:46 pm
Harriett, if you like Jane Austin, you’d love “Downton Abbey” – fabulous and loaded with suspense, mystery, murder and mayhem, sex scandals, great characters, both “upstairs” and “downstairs”, and of course Maggie Smith. Gorgeous scenery, clothes, jewelry – it’s just got everything anyone could ask for.
And if you’re leaning toward scary, “Walking Dead” is fantastic. A bit gory at times, but good story and character development. You love some, hate some.
I understand that the first two seasons of Downton are available for a short time on PBS online. Click on that link I left for Mercedes a couple posts above this to get a little taste of Downton.
Harriett
February 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
I saw where the first episode was free, but then they charge you for the rest. I would just as soon rent it so I could watch in on my tv.
Sam-A
February 20th, 2012
3:52 pm
That sux! If you have Comcast, you can at least watch this season of “Walking Dead” FREE!
Harriett
February 20th, 2012
4:35 pm
No, here in SC I have Time Warner.
Sam-A
February 20th, 2012
4:47 pm
Harriett: there are only 4 episodes of Downton’s first season, and 8 for this season, so not too much to catch up, though a couple ar 2 hours long this time around.
Deirdre
February 20th, 2012
5:12 pm
Harriett, actually I just watched the second episode of The River. The first one was just sort of interesting and the second one felt like the same story with different characters. I agree that, so far, it seems far-fetched and really hard to believe. I’ll give it another couple of tries but it isn’t living up to my expectations. It will have to get a lot better to keep me watching..
The new show, starting Thursday, Awake, looks very interesting and I will definitely give that one a try.
Deirdre
February 20th, 2012
5:14 pm
I watched the second episode of Smash and really liked that.
Mercedes S.
February 20th, 2012
5:20 pm
Thanks for pictures, Sam-A! Funny how Daisy looks so tiny on “Downton”, but in real life she’s taller than the show’s “large” cook!
Tried to watch The River but the shaky camera gave me a headache so after two commercials I erased the recorded episode.