Arsenio Hall and Adam Corolla on NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" (May 20, 2012)
*Donald Trump said “I’ve never been so torn,” before announcing whether Arsenio Hall or Clay Aiken would be crowned this year’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”
“I’ve been a runner-up before. I’m going to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” vowed Aiken, who was lost out on the “American Idol” title in 2003 to Ruben Studdard.
But when all was said and done, Aiken is a runner-up again. Arsenio was announced the winner on the live broadcast. In the final “Apprentice” task — throwing a charity fundraiser — his team raised $167,100 for his charity, the Magic Johnson Foundation. Clay raised $301,500 for his charity, the National Inclusion Project, a foundation he started for children with disabilities.
Before the crowning and confetti, Trump welcomed back nearly all of the fired star cast members to discuss how they’re doing and how they felt about the season. Lou Ferrigno announced that after having surgery six weeks ago, he can now, for the first time in life, hear without a hearing aid. Aubrey O’Day apologized if anyone took anything she did or said throughout the season personally. Adam Carolla felt humor wasn’t a bonus on the show. “It helped about as much as it helps in golf or porn — not a lot.”
And Penn Jilette, who had butted heads with Aiken throughout the season, said he thought Aiken should win. “He worked wicked hard.”
Dee Snider and Debbie Gibson also said Clay should win the title. Lisa Lampanelli said she wanted Clay to win, but added that Arsenio deserves a late-night talk show. Dayana Mendoza and Teresa Giudice were rooting for Arsenio.
Watch Arsenio announced as the winner below.
I’m surprised Arsenio won, but more power to him!
I was surprised as well and even MORE surprised that he had the nerve to sing a duet with Clay!
I just can’t watch anything with, ‘THE HAIR’, on it. He annoys me to no end.
That said, can anyone explain why Arsenio won? What made him THE Celebrity Apprentice?
I did not watch the show too much this season, But Congrats to Mr Arsenio Halll on the win.
brooklynbabe, I didn’t watch one episode but he may have won for blowing that woman from Dannity Kane outta the water…LoL! She must be too pissed.
I saw the repeated commercials about that but, I just can’t bring myself to watch that show after the way Trump has been acting the fool the past few years.
Congrats to Mr. Hall! And after seeing him on The View it’s clear he needs his own show again. I would definitely watch. And it sounds like Clay did a hell of a job as well. Congrats to him as well.
The Apprentice is still on ??!! I was a huge viewer years past. Hated I didn’t tune in to see Arsenio in action. I, too, miss his late nite shows …
Isn’t this the first Black person to win? I don’t watch just watched the final 3 minutes to see who won
Congrats to Arsenio
Redbone, no, Dr. Randall Pinkett was the first. There was some a small dustup when Trump asked Dr. Pinkett to share winning with the runner up. Dr. Pinkett politely declined.
I got the feeling he considered asking Arsenio to share but remembered what happened the last time he tried it.
Congrats to Arsenio on that win…I didnt watch as much of the show because of last year’s fiasco with Star and NeNe…I only watch the last three when I realized that Arsenio was still in it to win it…
Arsenio is the FIRST to win CELEBRITY APPRENTICE …they only five CA’s..I not sure who Dr Pinkett is …never heard of him/her…reason that I think Arsenio “won” same reason why Joan Rivers won…their charities are supported by TRUMP ORGANIZATION CHARITIES beforehand…their charities are supported by Trump anyways so in essence its a “wasta” or nepotism so the monies that they won was gonna ” stay at home”…Anyhoo… Congrats Arsenio and can’t wait to see you back on TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!