New season of NBC’s ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ cast members Vivica A. Fox, Ian Ziering, and Leeza Gibbons talked a bit about the late great comic who was a judge on two of the episodes as well as winner of season 8 of Donald Trump’s task challenge show.
Vivica A Fox: “Well for me it was an absolute pleasure because I had met Joan over the years just being on the Red Carpet, you know, with the famous, you know, who are you wearing and when she would show up, you know, it was always so much love and such a pleasant surprise. And she was tough, you know, she would let you know you’re not doing a good job or you need to step-up so it was definitely tough love and an absolute pleasure to spend some time with her and I was just as shocked and devastated as with everyone else was of her passing.”
Ian Ziering: “I had a chance to be on Joan Rivers’ talk show many, many, many years ago — maybe it was the early 90s — and have always been – had always been a fan of hers to meet her in person was really a thrill. She, you know, for a person who can dish out such caustic humor, she always maintained a sense of grace and elegance which was a nice juxtaposition against her comedy. She was fun to be around and was very exciting to work with her.”
Leeza Gibbons: “Very supportive, a mentor for woman. Joan certainly knows business like nobody, she’s just, I mean, like nobody else. She was so sharp and so honest and stayed so relevant but what everybody I think remembers about her is that cheerleader side of her, that warmth side of her, that supportive side of her, of really wanting to inspire and encourage — especially other woman in business — and it was really a very rare and wonderful treat to be able to work with her on this as I’ve done in other shows in the past, but this was really just a perfect venue for her.”
The last person standing for the 14th season will be chosen as The Celebrity Apprentice and have the honor of delivering a $250,000 bonus check to their designated charity.
Premiere is Sunday, Jan. 4 at 9-11 p.m ET with a regular time-slot at Mondays 8-10 p.m. ET beginning Monday, Jan. 5
Cast pictured from left to right:
Shawn Johnson, Leeza Gibbons, Lorenzo Lamas, Kevin Jonas, Jamie Anderson, Johnny Damon, Vivica A. Fox, Geraldo Rivera, Kate Gosselin, Ian Ziering, Terrell Owens, Gilbert Gottfried, Sig Hansen, Brandi Glanville, Keisha Knight Pulliam, Kenya Moore.