'Apprentice' to return in 2010

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., April 29 (UPI) -- NBC said Wednesday it has renewed Donald Trump's U.S. business-themed reality show "The Celebrity Apprentice" for another season in spring 2010.

The announcement was made by Ben Silverman, co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"'The Celebrity Apprentice' is the ultimate business and reality show at the top of its game and has exploded in popularity this season while also raising an impressive amount of money for charity," Paul Telegdy, executive vice president of alternative programming at NBC and Universal Media Studios, said in a statement. "It's a valuable franchise and proven competitor."

"'The Apprentice' and 'Celebrity Apprentice' have been an amazing adventure for me and, obviously, a very popular show with the public," added Trump, the show's star and executive producer. "Its Emmy nominations and great success have translated into a wonderful experience. Working with Mark Burnett has been terrific, and I am greatly honored that NBC has renewed us for yet another season, our ninth."