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'Celebrity Apprentice' Michaels' good news, ratings bonanza for NBC?

By April MacIntyre May 4, 2010, 22:15 GMT

04/05/2010 - Donald Trump and Melania Trump - 8th Annual "Dressed to Kilt" Charity Fashion Show - Arrivals - M2 Ultra Lounge - New York City, NY, USA © Janet Mayer / PR Photos

A close call averted for Poison frontman and "Celebrity Apprentice" leader for the men, Bret Michaels, who has languished for weeks at an Arizona hospital for a serious brain bleed, after his emergency appendectomy.

The winner, other than a recuperating Michaels who left hospital today, is NBC, which will benefit mightily from all the new and continued curiosity over the affable rocker and his stint on the reality competition that pits stars against each other in corporate tasks.

Last year's winner was Joan Rivers, who has parlayed her success with the Donald into a juggernaut that included a TV Land second season of "How'd You Get So Rich?" (May 5 begins season 2) and her successful documentary making the rounds at al the fancy film fests.

Will Michaels follow Joan's lead?

Will the lucky Pennsylvania kid who came up hardscrabble to front a monster rock band take the win for this season?

You can bet everyone will be tuning in these last few episodes.

Unlike Joan, Bret's "Apprentice" strategy has been "kill them with kindness", all American derring-do and an infectious "roll up the sleeves" enthusiasm for every task bunted his way. 

Plus he has an advantage: You can always tell when the Donald likes someone, and he really likes Bret.

The good news that Bret Michaels has been released from hospital, and can resume working in 4 to 6 weeks makes for an interesting finale to the series.

The lead doctor treating Michaels said Tuesday that he recommends Michaels wait at least four to six weeks before resuming normal activity.

Dr. Joseph Zabramski of the Barrow Neurological Institute wouldn't say when Michaels was released or whether he was sent home or to a rehabilitation facility. Zabramski says the 47-year-old Michaels is receiving therapy and continues to suffer as blood pooled under his brain dissolves.

Two tests showed that Michaels did not suffer an aneurysm, so doctors are still unsure what caused his dangerous hemorrhage.