Former British Tabloid Editor Wins "Celebrity Apprentice"

NEW YORK — Piers Morgan is hired. The former British tabloid editor was crowned the winner on NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice," triumphing over Trace Adkins.

The final task on Thursday's finale was to hold a charity event. Adkins was in charge of taking care of the talent, The Backstreet Boys, who demanded wheatgrass juice backstage. Morgan was responsible for the auction and food.

Adkins sold more tickets, but Morgan _ who has been a judge on NBC's "America's Got Talent" _ raised the most money, earning an additional $250,000 prize for his charity.

"Apprentice" host Donald Trump said Morgan "did an amazing job" and showed up his celebrity competitors (who included Gene Simmons and "Apprentice" villain Omarosa).

Trump called Adkins, whose single "You're Gonna Miss This" has climbed the country charts, a "special human being. A beautiful guy."

Morgan's charity is the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides help for families of U.S. military personnel who died in the line of duty. Morgan's brother has served two tours of duty in Iraq, and his brother-in-law has served two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

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NBC is owned by General Electric Co.

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NBC:

http://www.nbc.com/

Intrepid Fallen Heroes:

http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/

Comments

[schatsie]

why is this article even here, more useless information about nothing at alll..

[bac]

An absolutely silly show. I am surprised people still watch it. I briefly watched the finale with my wife and it was worse than ridiculous. The same old charity competition, with Trace Adkins spending half the show trying get some juice for the Backstreet Boys!

[rinpochet]

Last time I watch this show. Character should count for something and Piers had none. As Sam Zell said (the ultimate no-character guy), it's all about the bottom line.

Money is important but sorry, it's not everything as Trump would like us to believe.

[DixieMelody]

Any thoughts/comments on Omarosa's personal attack on Piers' dental hygiene and not using dental floss near the end of the season finale show?

[CFDelehanty]

Finally watched the last two Celebrity Apprentice shows. Concur with Trump's selection of Piers. While Piers often says unelicited negative comments about people which causes him to not be liked, he is a shrewd business person when it comes to raising money.

Being nice guy may not be the attribute required to be a successful business person. Per example, The Backstreet Boys demanded quite a bit of things to be available for their performance which did not directly affect the performance. Like Black nail polish. Trace Atkins, Piers competitor, got the nail polish for them. Trump asked Piers what he would have done. Piers quickly said he would not have got it. Trump said that the group might not have appeared for the performance without it. Piers said that was not true. He said that the boys would not turn down a shot at appearing before 20 million viewers just for lack of nail polish. Trump then said that Piers might be right.

[andyg]

Piers Morgan is only famous because he is best friends with, Rupert Murdoch daughter husband.

[b4beachwagon]

I saw the show last night and was embarrased to be an American. Piers's win was so obvious, and to hear the jingoistic pap that Gene Simmons and the rest of the American contestants spewed was disgusting. Trace was the nice guy? He made the comment that no one cares as much for American soldiers as much as he did...well, Piers did...and made them his charity of choice, disproving Trace's comment. Piers was well spoken, brutally honest, and thankfully self assured enough to defend himself against so many people who only pretended to be hurt at Pier's personality. He only made the rest of the contestants look immature and petty. Bravo to Piers!

[cindyw]

I agree. The "good vs. evil" schtick was way overdone. I was especially annoyed when Morgan was talking about his charity and standing next to the veterans and Adkins had to come over and shake their hands right in the middle of it.

[rojo7449]

Trace happens to have that speaking manner where the listener only hears the tone and does quite hear the words. He said some very mean and nasty things about Piers. Mr Nice Guy could have been much more tactful when speaking of the BSB, as well. He showed a judgmental side that I found very out of character for what people were saying about him.

[rojo7449]

So true. I was amazed that he had the nerve to intrude on Piers' charity. The look on Piers' face told all, as well. What was shown on camera might have been mild, but I'd prefer to work for a Piers' over a Trace any day. I would be far more challenged, and I'd learn so much more from a boss with his energy. There were plenty of stars who didn't say negatives about Piers, and they can be proud of themselves. He can't be too bad, his pals were some mighty impressive people who were quite generous. I couldn't figure out what Trace was saying about $5,000 being hard for his friends to come up with, but Ronny Milsap had some 40 #1 hits? I wasn't at all impressed with the stars who came out in support of Trace. And, Stephen Baldwin was an embarrassment to himself.

[lakat]

I was embarrassed to be an American too. But for the opposite reason as you, b4beachwagon. The emphasis on greed over character is what is dragging this country down and is responsible for the pathetic state of our government.

You think Piers is well-spoken because he speaks with a British accent but the way he has to not just win but annihilate his opponents shows that he has no class at all. This is not a negative in Trump's world as he himself has no class. The only people who like him are other rich, arrogant aholes or wannabes.

Journalists are pretty low on the admirable scale and tabloid journalists are the lowest of the low. He has sold his humanity for $$$. And, by the way, anyone who thinks he really gives a damn about the military has fallen hook, line and sinker for his schmaltzy bs. He picked a charity that no one would EVER question the sincerity of. He got you, SUCKER!

[cindyw]

I wouldn't be influenced by a British accent anymore than I'd be fooled by a Southern accent. Why would you assume that Morgan doesn't care about the military? He chose to raise money for a charity that no one would ever criticize, and you find that to be a reason for criticism.

[colddoseofsumthin]

FACT: he chose this charity because his brother serves in the armed forces.

[jnatch]

well said, especially re G Simmons.

[majseventh]

Mr. Morgan deserved to win. He is truly helping many with his charity.
PLEASE don't bring back Omarosa again. She is really evil. We don't need to see her again.

[VOTER]

I agree with you on both points.

However, Trump really ticked me off by playing Mr. Morgan as a villain.

The guy worked hard for his charity and won.

Kudos to him.

Trump needs to look into his mirror, AGAIN! He will see a resemblance to Mr. Morgan. Ha!

[shotgunjohnny]

face turns bright orange, and starts juicing.