Trump's 'The Apprentice' given reprieve by NBC

By Stone Martindale Jul 8, 2007, 14:18 GMT

05/25/2007 - Donald Trump -© Terry Thompson / Photorazzi

NBC and producers of "The Apprentice" have come to terms to bring Donald Trump's reality TV show back from imminent cancellation for at least one more season.

Reuters reports that anonymous network sources say NBC "plans to announce a renewal at an annual summer presentation to television critics on July 16, about two months after the show had appeared on the verge of prime-time extinction."

There was no official word on a deal from from the involved parties that also include executive producer Mark Burnett, but Reuters claims in the last few weeks "negotiations on a possible return of the show were continuing."

"The Apprentice" had Trump's signature catch-phrase "you're fired" become part of the American vernacular. 

The show was tanking in the ratings and appeared to be a dead show walking when it was not part of the 2007-8 Upfront presentation of NBC prime-time.

Trump countered publicly that he was toying with other options when he issued a statement days later saying he was "moving on" to other TV projects and networks.

New NBC Chief Ben Silverman then asked Trump and Burnett to extend the network's option to renew the series, and new talks began, according to Reuters.

"The Apprentice" is a competition between highly qualified young grads who are all seeking a well-paid position within the upper tiers of Trump's executive ranks.

Reuters reports that "if the current option on a renewal for a seventh season were to expire without a deal, producers would be free to shop the series to another network, and Trump has said 'numerous networks' have expressed an interest in picking up the show."