Reality Check
How to get your fix post-'Apprentice'

By Pamela Sitt
Seattle Times staff reporter

	CHRIS HASTON / AP "The Apprentice" contenders Troy McClain, left, and Kwame Jackson, right, lost to Bill Rancic on the NBC reality show.
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Now that "The Apprentice" is over, we're feeling a bit of post-holidays-style doldrums. Whatever will the 40 million viewers who watched at least part of last week's finale on NBC look forward to next? (Or at least until "The Apprentice 2" starts in the fall?)

Never fear. There's no need to take a break from reality television this summer to, say, go outside. The buzz already has started for the May 17 premiere of the WB's "Superstar USA," a deliciously mean take on Fox's hit "American Idol."

It was only a matter of time before producers started throwing twists into talent competitions (having exhausted every possible gimmick in the dating arena — we hope). "Superstar USA," from executive producer Mike Fleiss ("The Bachelor," "High School Reunion"), is basically an entire season of "American Idol: Uncut, Untalented and Uncensored." Judges, including rapper Tone Loc, search the country for 12 hopefuls to compete in an "American Idol"-style talent contest. What the contestants don't know is that the judges are really after the next William Hung — that is, lovable, earnest and clueless rejects. But since the winner — or biggest loser, however you want to look at it — ultimately is rewarded with a $100,000 recording contract, it sounds like the joke is really on us. "Superstar USA" airs Mondays and Tuesdays starting May 17 (9 p.m., KTWB-TV).

Where are they now?

"Apprentice" follow-up:

• Runner-up Kwame Jackson reportedly turned down a lucrative invitation to return to investment firm Goldman Sachs and is fielding job offers including one from Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks and star of upcoming ABC reality series "The Benefactor."

• Troy McClain is in talks to work with the ABILITY House program, a partner of Habitat for Humanity International that builds homes for the needy and people with disabilities. McClain has an adopted sister who is deaf and has developmental disabilities.

• Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth has reportedly filmed a TV commercial for Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo and will appear on VH1's upcoming "Divas" special. A VH1 spokesperson told the New York Post that Manigault-Stallworth is "the biggest diva on TV right now." Um, we would have used a different word.

Chef's special?

NBC's reality hit "The Restaurant" proved less than appetizing to viewers in its Monday premiere. Maybe because it's not that interesting to see celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito squabble with his business partner, Jeffrey Chodorow — we'd much rather see DiSpirito flirting with customers and irritating his staff instead. On the other hand, that snotty little pipsqueak Drew — an intern Chodorow brings in to be his mole at "The Restaurant" — has possibilities. We might see Rocco's on 22nd Street serve some tasty drama yet (10 p.m. Mondays, KING-TV).
 
Is Yoanna in the House?

Casting directors for season three of UPN's "America's Next Top Model" will be in Renton on Monday scouting for aspiring models who want a piece of Tyra Banks. Be between ages 18 and 27, be 5-foot-7 or taller and be at the Pure Fitness, 485 Renton Center Way, Renton, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Visit www.upn.com for rules and applications.

In this corner ...

First, Fox announced plans for an "Apprentice"-style show pairing a billionaire businessman with a group of young entrepreneurs. Now, the network is pushing a show starring Oscar De La Hoya and a dozen aspiring boxers competing for a contract — a premise that sounds suspiciously like NBC's upcoming "The Contender," another effort by producer Mark Burnett ("The Apprentice," "Survivor"). Slated for fall, "The Next Great Champ" is expected to beat "The Contender," set to debut in January 2005, in the race to the airwaves. When it comes to the ratings ring, we're betting on Burnett to trump the competition.

Pamela Sitt: 206-464-2376 or psitt@seattletimes.com

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