Trump brings brains to reality show

NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Business guru Donald Trump is bringing intelligence to the reality show forum when the show he is co-producing, "The Apprentice," premieres Jan. 8 on NBC.

Trump and co-producer Mark Burnett, who masterminded the "Survivor" series, found their bright and eager contestants from more than 100,000 applicants, Zap2it reported Monday.

"All of these 16 participants are absolutely brilliant young people," Trump said of his players. "They are exactly the opposite of what the reality show business seems to have become."

The show centers around Trump, who, as their "master," works with the group of "apprentices" over 15 episodes for the chance at a dream job in Trump Organization. In two teams of eight, the players complete a variety of tasks in the New York business world. The winners receive perks, while the losers are fired, one at a time.

The oldest contestant is 36-year-old Tammy Lee, a Seattle-based stockbroker who used to be an assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch. The youngest is Jessie Connors, from New Richmond, Wis., who, at 21, runs chiropractic clinics and is a realtor in Minnesota and Wisconsin.